Search

We have developed a rapid genus identification method for poisonous plants. The real-time PCR using the TaqMan ® probe method was employed for detection, with the amplified targets being the "trnL (UAA)-intron" or "trnL-trnF intergenic spacer" regions of chloroplast DNA. The targeted plants were selected six genera (Aconitum, Colchicum, Veratrum, Brugmansia, Scopolia and Narcissus), which have been implicated in many instances of food poisoning in Japan. A tissue lysis solution was used for DNA extraction, which can be completed within approximate 30 min. A master mix corresponding to the tissue lysis solution was used for real-time PCR reagents. As a result, we were able to complete the entire process from DNA extraction to genus identification in 4 to 5 hr. The detection sensitivity was estimated at approximately 1 pg of DNA for all six plant genera. Remarkably, an amplification plot was discerned even with the crude cell lysates of all samples. It was also possible to obtain amplification curves for three plant samples that had been subjected to simulated cooking (boiling). This study suggests that the developed method can rapidly identify six genera of poisonous plants.

A 56-year-old woman. She was underwent a lower gastrointestinal endoscopy for bloody stool, and type 2 advanced rectal cancer was found. In CT scan, although distant metastasis is not found, the tumor has been expanded to the dorsal side. So, infiltration into the sacrum was suspected. For the risk of bleeding and residual tumor in circumferential resection surface, it was decided to perform pre-operative adjuvant chemotherapy. Because RAS gene has no mutation, the regimen chose CAPOX plus cetuximab. Although skin damage and cytopenia were observed, there was no appearance of adverse events that were intolerant, and 4 courses were performed. Although scar stenosis was observed in the endoscope after 4 courses, tumor size decreased. Even in CT, the wall thickening was significantly reduced, and progress to the tumor dorsal side was also reduced, so laparoscopic lower anterior resection was performed. During surgery, the tumor dorsal side sacral infiltration was suspected, although observed a sclerotic change, it is relatively easily peelable, it was possible to safely complete the laparoscopic operation. Even after the operation, the course was good, and it was discharged from the hospital lightly on the 12th day after the operation. In pathological diagnosis, medium-differentiated adenocarcinoma, T3, N0, histological therapeutic effect of chemotherapy was grade 2. Cetuximab combination regimen was considered to be an effective option.

A 50-year-old male was referred to our hospital for the further evaluation and treatment of abdominal pain. He was diagnosed with complicated appendicitis using computed tomography. After conservative treatment, he underwent an interval appendectomy. A histopathological examination revealed a goblet cell carcinoid(GCC)of the appendix with subserosal invasion. He underwent laparoscopic ileocecal resection with D3 lymph node dissection. Histopathological findings showed neither residual tumor nor lymph node metastasis. The patients is currently followed as an outpatient without recurrence. Here we report our experience with GCC, a rare disease.

A 70-year-old man presented to our hospital with fever and abdominal pain. A mass was found in the left lobe of his liver. Three months later, disseminated peritoneal nodules and ascites appeared. Liver biopsy and review laparoscopy did not lead to a diagnosis. Approximately five months later, a pathological autopsy was performed, and a final diagnosis of sarcomatoid intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was made. Differentiating sarcomatoid cholangiocarcinoma from sarcomatoid malignant peritoneal mesothelioma was difficult due to the similarity of clinical and pathological findings. Because the two diseases are treated differently, being able to differentiate them is a challenge in the future.

An 85-year-old woman who visited the hospital with sores on the perianal skin was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal(cT3N1aM0, cStage ⅢC). She received chemoradiotherapy(radiation total 54 Gy/30 Fr, mitomycin C/capecitabine). The tumor initially shrank, but regrowth of the primary lesion, extensive perianal skin infiltration, and the appearance of para aortic lymph node metastases was observed 6 months later. Laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection was performed to mitigate strong local symptoms. The perineal defect was repaired with bilateral gluteus maximus flap(V- Y flap). The operation prevented anal pain and improved ADL. The patient is currently undergoing chemotherapy 7 months after surgery. We report the case with a review of the literature in which ADL was improved by salvage surgery for tumor regrowth with severe local symptoms and distant metastases after chemoradiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal.

Internal quality control (IQC) is essential to ensure the reliability of the results of chemical analysis. In this study, we propose a novel method of IQC for multiresidue analysis of pesticides. A total of seven stable isotope labeled compounds (SILC) were added to analytical samples and were used to monitor and evaluate the quality of analytical results. In contrast to conventional IQC method in which only a limited number of control materials were analyzed to ensure the reliability of the results for an entire batch, the developed method can monitor the analytical quality of all the samples in the batch. It was shown that the developed method could achieve better performance than that of conventional method. Therefore, the developed method is considered to be promising for practical applications.(Received January 27, 2022; Accepted July 4, 2022).

A rapid determination method for emergency response to health crisis caused by metals in foods, was developed using microwave decomposition equipment and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The method was assessed for 18 elements (Al, As, B, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Tl and Zn) in 5 kinds of beverages and 7 kinds of foods. A single-laboratory method validation study was performed using food samples added with 20 mg/kg of each metal. Trueness was 88-108% and intralaboratory reproducibility was 0.2-11.3%. Time required for analysis was less than 3 hr. Thus, the presented method could be useful for rapid analysis of metals involved food poisoning cases.

A 69-year-old female underwent a mesh repair for an abdominal incisional hernia 4 years previously in our hospital. She visited local hospital for abdominal pain and fever. Abdominal CT showed a localizes abscess formation above the mesh, then she was taken to our hospital. We suspected mesh infection and performed emergent mesh removal. After the operation, we examined for her anemia. Her colonoscopy and CT findings pointed to transverse colon cancer. We performed right hemicolectomy, and final diagnosis was transverse colon cancer pT4aN0M0, pStage Ⅱb. She underwent adjuvant chemotherapy, and 9 months after surgery, no recurrence was found.

A patient was 70-year-old female. Because unknown fever following operation of left knee in December 20XX-1, abdominal simple CT was performed, diagnosed as cholecystitis and liver abscesses. However, her unknown fever did not improve with antibiotics therapy. Abdominal enhanced CT and MRI revealed to gallbladder cancer with liver invasion and metastases. These lesions were relatively localized in liver S4a/S5 and gallbladder, hepatoduodenal mesentery. Because unknown fever was exhausting, cholecystectomy, S4a+S5 hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection and lymph node dissemination were performed in January 20XX+1. In these pathological findings, there were moderate to poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with squamous cell differentiation in almost area of gallbladder, diagnosed as adeno-squamous carcinoma with liver invasion and metastasis(pT3a[SI][H-inf], int, INF-β, ly1, v3, pn1, pN1, pM1, pStage ⅣB). One months after operation, abdominal CT revealed multiple liver metastatic recurrences. She died 7 months after operation. Although gallbladder adeno-squamous carcinoma has a poor prognosis, these many cases had a tendency to local infiltration accompanied with tumor fever. If curative resection might be obtained and the symptoms might be improved, aggressive resection should be performed.

We report the case of a 36‒year‒old man who was treated with S‒1 plus oxaliplatin(SOX)therapy for gastric cancer with disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC). The patient visited our hospital for the treatment of an unresectable type 4 advanced gastric cancer. He had respiratory distress at the first visit. A chest CT scan revealed ground‒glass shadows as well as interstitial and septal thickening diffusely located in both the lungs, which suggested cancerous lymphangiopathy. Moreover, based on blood test results, DIC was diagnosed. After the administration of SOX in combination with recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin, the patient recovered from DIC, and the values of the tumor markers(CEA and CA19‒9) were normalized. After more than 14 months post treatment, the patient has survived without relapse. There are several reports that chemotherapy for gastric cancer is effective for DIC; however, there are no reports on regimens using oxaliplatin. Regimens using this drug may improve the prognosis of gastric cancer complicated by disseminated myelocarcinomatosis and DIC.

The patient is a female in her thirties. The patient was diagnosed with pustular psoriasis during the treatment course for pneumonia with the appearance of small pustules of the skin and with an increase of serum total bilirubin level. Pustular psoriasis is a designated intractable disease with extremely low prevalence in which the skin of the whole body is flushed with high fever and many sterile pustules occur. This disease has been reported to be accompanied by liver dysfunction. Liver dysfunction appeared 1-2 weeks after the eruption appears in most cases, but this is the rare case in which the liver disorder precedes.

A 78-year-old woman had undergone subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy for acinar cell carcinoma (ACC)of the pancreatic head approximately 2 years before presentation, and the pathological diagnosis had been pT2pN0pM0, fStageⅠB(JPS 7th). Adjuvant chemotherapy was discontinued after 3 months because of side effects. Contrast- enhanced CT and PET-CT 2 years postoperatively revealed a tumor measuring 2 cm with a high concentration of FDG in the minor curvature of the stomach. During laparotomy, a 3 cm large lymph node was palpated in the minor curvature of the stomach, and a small lymph node was found adjacently. We diagnosed the patient with multiple lymph node recurrences and performed gastric lymph node dissection of the minor curvature. The pathological diagnosis was a single 2 cm large ACC lymph node metastasis. The patient did not consent to postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and showed no recurrence for 1 year and 7 months postoperatively. Pancreatic ACC is a rare pancreatic tumor, and its clinicopathologic features are still largely unknown. In recent years, there have been reports of active resection or long-term survival with anti-cancer drug treatment even in recurrent cases, such as the present case. However, the indication and method of anti-cancer treatment are unclear and might need the accumulation of many more cases.

The patient was a 79-year-old woman. In January 20XX, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a duodenal tumor with bleeding and ulceration. This tumor was diagnosed as a duodenal neuroendocrine tumor(NET)based on biopsy findings. In March 20XX, the patient underwent pancreatoduodenectomy with lymph node dissemination. Based on these pathological findings, the tumor was diagnosed as a duodenal NET(G2)with a lymph node metastasis(T2, N1, M0, Stage Ⅲ). Twenty months after the operation, abdominal CT revealed multiple liver metastases(S4, S7, and S8). After this recurrence, she underwent the subcutaneous somatostatin analogue injection therapy every 28 days, and transarterial chemoembolization( TACE)when these recurrent tumors showed remarkable regrowth, once a year, accounting for her age. She has maintained good disease control for 5 years.

A 60's woman was admitted to our hospital because of palpitations that occurred with exertion. Coronary angiography computed tomography(CT)of suspected angina detected a tumor in the pancreatic head region. Abdominal CT showed a poorly enhanced 40×32 mm solid tumor in the hepatoduodenal ligament that contained a fatty component and calcification. During surgery, the tumor was located in the hepatoduodenal ligament, adhered to the pancreatic head, common hepatic artery, gastroduodenal artery, portal vein and common bile duct. However, the tumor was resected by preserving them. The tumor contained stratified squamous epithelium, a sebaceous gland, nerve, a pancreatic gland, and an adrenal gland. The histological diagnosis was a mature cystic teratoma. The patient showed no recurrence in 2 years and 10 months post-surgery. Mature teratomas in the hepatoduodenal ligament are extremely rare. Some reports showed that combined resection was performed when the tumor was in contact with the common bile duct, portal vein, and arteries. However, in our case, the tumor was removed relatively safely without combined resection.

An 84-year-old woman with a chief complaint of right lower abdominal pain was admitted to our hospital in November 20XX. Abdominal CT scan revealed a 9.6×4.1 cm diameter low density area proximal to the 13 mm diameter appendix, which led to perforated appendicitis with a huge abscess. The patient underwent an open appendectomy with partial cecum resection. The appendix was found to be twisted by 540°. The pathological diagnosis was low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm(LAMN). Recent research has found that the use of laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of LAMN has been increasing. Appropriate surgical intervention should be considered for LAMN because it is a borderline malignancy. Careful treatment with laparoscopic surgery might be considered as one of the treatment options for LAMN. We hope to accumulate more cases of LAMN to confirm our results.

In December 20XX-1, abdominal enhanced CT of a 73-year-old female patient showed a 28mm-in-diameter pancreatic tail cancer with splenic venous invasion. She underwent neoadjuvant GEM/TS-1 combination chemotherapy but abandoned this chemotherapy due to melena and exanthema. She underwent a distal pancreatectomy with lymph node dissemination. In these pathological findings, the tumor was diagnosed as a pancreatic tail cancer with splenic venous invasion(T3, N0, M0, Stage ⅡA). She underwent adjuvant GEM chemotherapy, but she abandoned this chemotherapy due to exanthema and was managed with observation. In September 20XX, she had a postoperative bowel obstruction and was treated with natural light. However, she had a postoperative bowel obstruction again in July, 20XX+1. Fluoroscopic images revealed stenosis in the intestine located 170 cm from the nasal cavity. She underwent open surgery to manage the bowel obstruction. There was a peritoneal tumor with adhesion to each intestine serosa in 3 areas located 80 cm, 100 cm, and 150 cm from the Treitz ligament. Therefore, she underwent a small intestine resection and anastomosis 70 cm to 110 cm from the Treitz ligament. Pathological findings showed that there was a 3mm-in-diameter adenocarcinoma in this peritoneal tumor. In these findings, this final diagnosis was an adhesive intestinal obstruction caused by peritoneal metastasis. Curative resection for single peritoneal recurrent metastasis might be useful for prognosis prolongation.

In recent years, the number of examinations and treatments using computed tomography fluoroscopy (CTF) has been increasing, and there is concern about an increase in the exposure radiation dose of the operator. Use of half scan CTF can be expected to reduce the exposure radiation dose, but there is no report. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the exposure radiation dose at the operator's position and image quality when using a half scan CTF. The left side facing the gantry was the operator's position, and the ambient dose equivalent at 160 cm, 130 cm, and 100 cm from the floor was measured using an ionization chamber survey meter. The absorbed dose at the forceps holding position of the operator was measured using a fluorescent glass dosimeter with the forceps holding position 15 cm caudal from the scan center. The imaging conditions used a tube voltage of 120 kV and a tube current of 50 mA. Half scan CTF was performed by changing the center angle of the half scan on the console every 45°. As a result, the set angles were 135°and 90°at the operator's position, and 135°at the operator's forceps holding position. In addition, we evaluated the effect of half scan CTF on image quality. CTF images were collected with a cryogenic needle used for cryotherapy punctured in a water-equivalent self-made phantom. The profile curves of the obtained images were drawn and compared using analysis software to evaluate the effects of artifacts. Then, the SD of the CT value of the region of interest with and without the artifact was measured, and the relative artifact index was calculated and evaluated. Using the same image, CT value and SD were tested to evaluate noise. Half scan CTF had no effect on the image quality due to artifacts and noise.

Two cases of neuroendocrine carcinoma, complicated with ulcerative colitis, were examined. Case 1:The patient developed ulcerative colitis at the age of 38, surgery was performed after a diagnosis of rectal cancer at the age of 53, and the patient was diagnosed with neuroendocrine carcinoma by pathological examination after resection. Post-surgery, metastatic nodules were detected in the liver and lungs. The patient is undergoing chemotherapy at this time. Case 2:The patient developed ulcerative colitis at the age of 59;at 72, a sigmoid colon tumor, in addition to multiple liver tumors, was detected. The patient was diagnosed with neuroendocrine carcinoma following biopsy. Chemotherapy was initiated;however, the patient died of cancer 12 months later.

A gastric ulcer was detected in a 54-year-old man who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for hematemesis. An abdominal contrasted computed tomography scan detected a splenic artery aneurysm adjacent to the gastric wall. Endoscopic hemostasis was thought to be risky owing to possible rupture of the aneurysm. Rupture of a splenic artery pseudoaneurysm due to segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) was diagnosed by abdominal angiography, and subsequently transcatheter arterial embolization was performed. In cases of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hemostasis is often performed during the emergency endoscopic examination. However, in cases of massive gastrointestinal bleeding, the possibility of a splenic artery aneurysm, in association with SAM, should be recognized. The risk of rupturing the aneurysm should be considered in selecting the most suitable treatment.

A 39-year-old man was referred to us for further examination of a right inguinal mass. He had noticed the mass several months prior and had undergone positron emission tomography/computed tomography, which revealed a mass with an SUVmax of 1.48 at the right inguinal subcutis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a well-circumscribed, heterogeneously enhanced adipose tumor 7cm in length, adjacent to the right spermatic cord and corpora cavernosa with clear boundaries. The tumor was a suspected atypical lipomatous tumor (well-differentiated liposarcoma), and he underwent tumor extirpation surgery. At surgery, the right inguinal canal was not opened, and the right spermatic cord and corpora cavernosa were safely spared. The excised specimen was composed of lipomatous tissue macroscopically. Histopathological diagnosis was of a spindle cell lipoma. Spindle cell lipomas are relatively rare, benign tumors, comprising only 1.5% of all lipomatous tumors. They arise most commonly in the shoulder and posterior region of the neck, and rarely develop in the groin. Differential diagnosis includes atypical lipomatous tumors, but radiological diagnosis is often difficult because of similar findings on MRI. Spindle cell lipomas typically present as a subcutaneous tumor, while atypical lipomatous tumors arise in the deep layers of connective tissue. This difference in the site of the tumor may contribute to their differential diagnosis before surgery.

A 57-year-old woman was diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer with bone marrow metastasis(cT4aN1pM1[MAR], pStage Ⅳ). After 18 courses of S-1 and cisplatin and 18 courses of ramucirumab and paclitaxel, the chemotherapy was stopped because of stenosis. We performed endoscopic metallic stent placement, but stenosis reappeared after a month. Subsequently, distal gastrectomy was performed as a palliative surgery. She had no complications and improved appetite, therefore, she resumed chemotherapy after 3 postoperative months and continued for 4 years and 9 months from the first visit. In general, gastric cancer with bone marrow metastasis has a poor prognosis, however, in this case, long-term survival was achieved with palliative surgery.

In the course of treatment for myasthenia gravis, enlargement of a cystic mass in the liver with peripheral bile duct dilation, diffuse pancreatic enlargement, and serum IgG4 level elevation was identified in a 65-year-old man. Following the diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis, a left hepatectomy was performed because of suspected malignancy of the cystic lesion. Analysis of the resected specimen revealed the cystic lesion to be a dilated bile duct. Intraductal papillary tumor comprising fibrovascular stalks covered by neoplastic epithelium was identified in the lesion. Infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells was discovered around the cystic lesion. Finally, a diagnosis of intraductal papillary neoplasm of bile duct with IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis was made. Autoimmune diseases, including IgG4-related diseases, require careful observation because of their potential for malignancy.

The alternative method to animal experiments is based on 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) of animal experiments. The use of an alternative method to animal experiment has become a global trend in chemical substances, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, agrochemicals, as well as cosmetics for which animal testing within the EU area was prohibited by the EU directive. Here, the progress of alternative method research to animal experiment in Japan, and recent topics on the development of "replacement" in cell culture, non mammalian, non vertebrates and in silico as technical aspects are described.

A giant intracranial internal carotid artery(ICA)aneurysm is difficult to treat. We encountered a case with an unruptured giant intracranial ICA aneurysm with a ruptured C2 aneurysm of the ipsilateral ICA. In this case report, we describe how the treatment and review the literature. A 59-year-old man presented with sudden-onset headache and vomiting. He was diagnosed at a local neurosurgical unit as having a subarachnoid hemorrhage and admitted to our hospital. Cerebral angiogram revealed an unruptured giant ICA C3-4 aneurysm with a ruptured aneurysm of the ipsilateral ICA C2. The ruptured aneurysm had a wide neck and was located in the medial wall of the ICA C2;it was difficult to perform neck clipping or coil embolization. We performed a high-flow bypass using a radial artery graft followed by trapping of the left ICA. Postoperative imaging showed no new ischemic damage, and the patency of bypass flow was good. The left ophthalmic artery was perfused from the external carotid artery. Although the patient experienced incomplete left oculomotor nerve palsy and left lower quadrantanopsia, his neurological function had recovered within a year, and he was able to resume his previous work. High-flow bypass with ICA trapping is effective for ICA giant aneurysm. Attention to postoperative ophthalmic function and oculomotor symptoms is important.

The purpose of this study is to investigate a reduction method of radiation exposure for operator and medical staff in balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). We devised a new radiation protection, which is U-shaped acrylic supporting table with 0.35 mmPb unleaded radiation protection sheet. A human phantom was put on the bed of cardiac angiography system [C-arm angulation: posteroanterior (PA), L-arm angulation: left anterior oblique (LAO) 60°]. The ambient equivalent dose rate was measured under fluoroscopy with and without three radiation protections: U-shaped acrylic supporting table with 0.35 mmPb unleaded radiation protection sheet, radiation protection for the lower body, and radiation protection for the upper body. With the three radiation protections, the ambient equivalent dose rate was decreased more than 99% at the height of 100 cm above the floor at the operator position (PA: from 186.2 μSv/h to 0.5 μSv/h, LAO 60°: from 350.4 μSv/h to 1.6 μSv/h). Ambient equivalent dose rate at the other points are also decreased effectively. The devised dose reduction method can reduce operator and medical staff radiation exposure effectively and be set up without interference for BPA procedure.

A simple and rapid method was developed to identify the source species of pufferfish products. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was applied to identify 8 species of pufferfish. Commercial kits were used for DNA extraction and amplification. Simultaneous identification was possible by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of PCR products. Two primers were chosen based on the result of pre-examination with 40 primers, and the PCR conditions were optimized. Characteristic RAPD patterns were obtained for each pufferfish species. The developed method was applied to identify the source species of 26 pufferfish products. The results suggest that the developed method would be useful for verification of the labeled species of pufferfish products.

Background and Purpose: The long-term outcome of patients with adult moyamoya disease following revascularization surgery remains unclear. Here, we investigated these outcomes more than five years after revascularization surgery., Patients and Methods: This study included 48 cerebral hemispheres from 26 patients who underwent revascularization surgery for adult moyamoya disease. The mean follow-up duration was 14.3(5.5-25.6)years. The risk factors of late-onset hemorrhage after revascularization surgery were compared between the bleeding and non-bleeding groups. We also estimated cumulative bleeding-free survival rates using Kaplan-Meier curves., Results: Four patients experienced late-onset bleeding during the follow-up period. Bleeding occurred after an average of 11(8.5-16.4)years following revascularization surgery. The annual hemorrhagic rate was 1.14%. In the bleeding group, higher Suzuki stage(p=0.02), posterior cerebral artery(PCA)involvement(p<0.01), cerebral aneurysm(p=0.04), microbleeds(p=0.03), and post-operative periventricular anastomosis, especially in the thalamus and the choroidal artery(p<0.01 and p=0.01 respectively), were significantly different from those in the non-bleeding group. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the probability of late-onset bleeding was higher with postoperative periventricular anastomosis(p<0.01 for thalamic type, p=0.01 for choroidal type), higher Suzuki stage(p<0.01), PCA involvement(p<0.01), and cerebral aneurysm(p=0.02)., Conclusions: In spite of good perfusion and reduction in moyamoya vessels after revascularization surgery, the risk of bleeding persisted. Periventricular anastomosis, especially in the thalamus and choroidal artery, after surgery, higher Suzuki stage, presence of obstructive lesions in the PCA, and cerebral aneurysm may be associated with late-onset bleeding after surgery. More studies are needed to identify the risk factors for late-onset bleeding after revascularization surgery for moyamoya disease.

Herein, we describe the case of a superficial temporal artery(STA)- and occipital artery (OA)-middle cerebral artery (MCA) double anastomoses that we performed to treat a hemorrhagic twig-like MCA. A 55-year-old man presented to our hospital for investigation of an incidentally identified left MCA occlusion. Left cerebral angiography revealed a twig-like MCA. The (123)I-IMP-single photon emission computed tomography( SPECT) demonstrated no reduction in the cerebral blood flow (CBF), so the patient was initially observed with no treatment. Three months later, he was readmitted with a disturbance of consciousness. The cranial computed tomography revealed a subcortical hemorrhage in the left frontotemporal region and a subdural hematoma. The hematoma was removed via emergency craniotomy. The abnormal vessels were identified and resected, but the parietal branch of the STA was damaged during the skin incision. The histological examination did not reveal the marked fibrous thickening of the intima or wavy internal elastic lamina typically seen with Moyamoya disease. Six months after the initial surgery, a STA-MCA bypass surgery was planned to prevent a future hemorrhage by reducing the hemodynamic overload of the twig-like MCA and improving the cerebral ischemia in the MCA territory that was detected on the preoperative SPECT. However, the parietal branch of the left STA had been injured during the first operation, so we performed a double anastomoses to the MCA using the frontal branch of the STA and the OA. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful and he was discharged 2 weeks after surgery. The follow-up study performed 1 year postoperatively demonstrated no evidence of cerebral infarction and revealed an improvement in the resting CBF and vascular reactivity in the left cerebral hemisphere. No subsequent cerebrovascular events have occurred in this patient during the 7 years since the double anastomoses surgery. Direct bypass for flow conversion from the internal carotid artery to the external carotid artery can be an indispensable treatment for patients with a hemorrhagic twig-like MCA.

We report a case of ruptured peripheral cerebral aneurysm at abnormal vessels associated with severe stenosis at the middle cerebral artery (MCA). A 66-year-old woman was admitted at our hospital with headache on foot. Computed tomography (CT) showed intracerebral hemorrhage in the left fronto-basal area. Three-dimensional-CT and conventional angiogram revealed abnormal vessels, which were similar to those seen in moyamoya disease, with a small enhancement close to the hematoma. On day 11, subsequent cerebral angiogram demonstrated an aneurysm at the peripheral portion of an abnormal vessel arising from the left A2. On day 17, soon after the diagnosis of the ruptured aneurysm was made (while still at the subacute stage), we operated on the aneurysm. Superficial temporal artery (STA)-MCA anastomosis was also performed to preserve cerebral blood flow and reduce hemodynamic stress. Several days after the operation, she had transient aphasia due to hyperperfusion of the MCA territory, but eventually recovered with no neurological deficit at discharge. Follow-up study revealed revascularization from the branches of the external carotid artery as well as the STA. On admission, we initially thought that this patient had abnormal vessels associated with arteriosclerotic MCA stenosis. However, the postoperative clinical course as well as the histopathological specimens of both the abnormal artery with the aneurysm and the STA revealed similar findings to those of moyamoya disease. Although this case did not satisfy the criteria for moyamoya disease, it is conceivable that a single arterial occlusive lesion associated with moyamoya-like vessels might develop in the same mechanism with that of moyamoya disease.

Adult unilateral moyamoya disease with intracranial aneurysm is frequently reported in the literature, but there is much variation in its treatment. In this case report, we describe the time course and treatment regimen of a patient with moyamoya disease and review the literature regarding moyamoya disease with intracranial aneurysm. A 64-year-old man had untreated intracranial aneurysm and unilateral moyamoya disease for 10 years. He presented with sudden-onset right hemiparesis and aphasia due to a subcortical hemorrhage. He was admitted to the local neurosurgical unit, and upon resolution of symptoms, he was admitted to our hospital. A cerebral angiogram revealed the champagne bottleneck sign of the left carotid artery and obliteration of the top of the left intracranial carotid artery with a moyamoya phenomenon. Two unruptured intracranial aneurysms were identified in the anterior communicating artery(Acom A) and the right intracranial carotid artery(C3). We performed superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery anastomosis followed by aneurysmal neck clipping of the Acom A aneurysm. Postoperative imaging showed no new ischemic damage and improved cerebral blood flow. Although the patient experienced temporal worsening of aphasia, his function recovered a few months later and he was able to resume his normal daily life activities. The combination of direct bypass surgery and aneurysmal neck clipping might be a therapeutic option for hemorrhagic unilateral moyamoya disease with unruptured intracranial aneurysm.

The patient is a 43-year-old male, presented with numbness of the left lower extremities. Imaging studies showed a pelvic tumor 20 cm in diameter, involving the left ureter, left common iliac vessels, left internal and external iliac vessels, and inferior mesenteric artery, which was deemed unresectable. Tumor biopsy confirmed liposarcoma. As chemotherapy was not effective, he was referred to us. Following femoral-femoral artery bypass in advance, the tumor was resected with the sigmoid colon, left kidney, ureter, left iliac vessels, and interior mesenteric artery. Removal of the tumor caused massive venous hemorrhage from the pre-sacral plexus, which was scarcely managed by gauze packing. Open abdominal management was selected to avoid abdominal compartment syndrome by severe intestinal edema. The packed gauze was retrieved on the fourth post-operative day, with laparotomy closed. The postoperative course was uneventful.

The recommended S-1 chemotherapy schedule for head and neck cancer is daily treatment for 4 weeks, followed by 2 weeks of rest. However, this can lead to adverse events and sometimes treatment withdrawal. Alternate-day treatment with a pyrimidine anticancer agent is reported to reduce adverse events without compromising anticancer activity. We examined the indication of alternate-day treatment with S-1 for oral cancer. Fifteen patients(3 men and 12 women; average age: 81.3 years)with oral squamous cell carcinoma started consecutive-day treatment with S-1. Treatment had to be interrupted after 0.5-10 courses because of grade >2 myelosuppression, hepatorenal and electrolyte disorder, and grade 1 digestive toxicity. After a recovery period of 8-168 days from adverse events, alternate-day treatment with S-1 was started. Adverse events on this regimen were grade 2 leucopenia and hyperbilirubinemia in some patients. It was possible for 10 of the patients to continue this treatment for longer than 1 year or until death, but 5 patients could not continue because of a recurrence of a renal or electrolyte disorder, pneumonia, or disease progression. It is thought that alternate-day treatment with S-1 reduces the incidence of adverse events compared to consecutive-day treatment, and can allow continuous administration. Alternateday treatment with S-1 for female patients aged over 80 years with grade 1 leucopenia and/or thrombocytopenia before administration may help to maintain their quality of life.

Giant fusiform aneurysm of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) involving the anterior communicating artery (AcomA) is difficult to treat, and its postoperative course is not well known. We treated a patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to rupture of a giant fusiform aneurysm of the ACA involving the AcomA. Here we describe its treatment and postoperative course, and review the literature regarding ACA involving an AcomA aneurysm that was treated with bypass surgery. A 65-year-old man presented with sudden onset of headache and vomiting. Computed tomography (CT) revealed SAH due to rupture of a giant fusiform ACA involving an AcomA aneurysm. He was admitted to the local neurosurgical unit 5 days after symptom onset. After waiting for vasospasm to resolve, he was transferred to our hospital. Three-dimensional CT demonstrated giant fusiform dilatation (25mm in diameter) of the left ACA (A1-A2), and the AcomA was involved. The perforating branches around the aneurysm were not identified. We performed proximal clipping with A3-A3 bypass for protection of reversal flow to the perforating branches of the left ACA. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed a small infarction in part of the left caudate nucleus and the fornix. Cerebral angiogram revealed complete obliteration of the aneurysm. The patient did not experience palsy or aphasia, but he suffered from transient disturbance of frontal lobe function. A few months later, his cognitive function had recovered, and he was able to resume his normal daily life. Although clinicians should monitor for the development of postoperative neurological symptoms, including cognitive dysfunction proximal clipping with A3-A3 bypass was an effective and reliable treatment for ruptured giant fusiform ACA involving an AcomA aneurysm.

Purpose: The guidelines on adrenal hemorrhage has not established in Japan. In this article, we discuss the management of adrenal hemorrhage., Objects and Methods: We experienced 6 patients from November 2004 to September 2013 in The University of Tokyo Hospital and The Fraternity Memorial Hospital, and we searched 57 cases already reported in Japan by using Japan Medical Abstracts Society (http://search.jamas.or.jp/). So we analyzed total 63 adrenal hemorrhage cases in Japan., Results: In 63 cases, 5 cases were performed TAE, 3 cases were performed emergent surgeries, 13 cases were managed conservatively and elective surgeries were performed in the other cases. 5 cases were fulfilled criteria for Hb < 10 g/dl and the maximum diameter of the hematoma > 10 cm. Of 5 cases, 4 cases were performed emergent hemostasis., Conclusions: Adrenal hemorrhages caused by metastatic tumor tend to be serious anemia. In addition, the most patients with adrenal hemorrhages, who had Hb < 10 g/dl and the maximum diameter of the hematoma > 10 cm, required immediate medical treatment, e.g. TAE or surgical hemostasis.

Elderly fracture is a critical public health issue for older adults, and falls risk assessment is an expected competency for medical worker. The prevention from fall fracture is one of the important items of medical safety, and although fall assessment is carried out, it is not much effective. One of the reasons is that there is not the simple and easy tool of the fall prediction. The aim of this study was to design an innovative method of falls risk assessment using standing ability of the elderly. We devised new fall assessment score (Mimamori score) that scored lifting assistance movement. We incorporate it in real duties after 2011, inflect for the fall prevention.

A 69-year-old woman presented with dysphagia due to Wallenberg syndrome. Videofluorography revealed unilateral dysfunction of the cricopharyngeal muscle, which caused stenosis of the esophageal entrance on the affected side. Pharyngeal fiberscopy indicated that glottal function and the cough reflex were preserved and that the pharyngeal reflex was lost. The stenosis of the esophageal entrance due to dysfunction of the cricopharyngeal muscle on the affected side and the loss of the pharyngeal reflex were considered to cause the patient's dysphagia. Based on above mentioned findings, the intermittent air stretching method with balloon catheter(IASM)was performed. As a result, dysphagia showed rapid improvement without any complications such as aspiration or bleeding. Thus, the IASM may be effective in some cases of dysphagia due to Wallenberg syndrome.

Food samples were purchased in Nagoya based on daily intake in the Tokai region, and prepared as total diet samples according to the market basket method. The contents of radioactive cesium (Cs) were determined by using a γ-ray spectrometer with a germanium semiconductor detector, and a committed effective dose was estimated. Radioactive Cs was not detected in samples collected in 2006 before the Fukushima nuclear plant accident. Radioactive Cs was detected in samples prepared in August, 2011, five months after the accident. The sources were sugar and confectioneries (3rd food group), other vegetables, seaweeds and mushrooms (8th food group) and fishes, shellfishes and processed seafoods (10th food group). Only Cs-137 was detected in samples prepared in August, 2012, one year and five months after the accident. The sources were the 8th and the 10th food groups. The estimated committed effective dose for radioactive Cs was 0.0015 mSv in 2011 and 0.00016 mSv in 2012.

Following the Fukushima nuclear plant accident in Mar. 2011, the examination of radioactive contamination in foods is being carried out in Nagoya. During the period between 30 Mar. 2011 and 31 Oct. 2012, a total of 300 food samples were collected and the concentrations of radioactive nuclides were determined by means of γ-ray spectrometry using a high-purity germanium semiconductor detector. The results of analysis indicate that the concentrations of radioactive iodine (I) and cesium (Cs) were below the regulatory limits. Radioactive I ((131)I) was detected in 7 samples which belonged to the categories of green and yellow vegetables and other vegetables. Radioactive Cs ((134)Cs and (137)Cs) was detected in 60 samples which belonged to the categories of rice and its processed products, potatoes and its processed products, nuts and seeds, green and yellow vegetables, other vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, fishes and shellfishes, processed sea foods, meat, milk and dairy products and other beverages.

Nephritis associated with a chronically infected ventriculo-atrial (VA) or ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunt is known as shunt nephritis. A 60-year-old woman who had a VA shunt implanted for hydrocephalus began to show intermittent low-grade fever of an unknown origin, as well as hypertension and lower leg edema. Laboratory findings showed renal insufficiency with proteinuria, and a percutaneous renal biopsy was performed. Light microscopy revealed findings of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Shunt nephritis was suspected. The VA shunt was removed and the VP shunt was replaced subsequently. Signs of renal impairment were recovered after surgery. However, a new VA shunt was implanted because of a shunt malfunction. Shunt nephritis is a rare complication associated with shunt system implantation. It can be treated successfully by removing the shunt system immediately. It should be considered that shunts, especially VA shunts, always carry a risk of nephritis.

A rapid, simple and inexpensive method was developed for identifying the species of animal hair present as a contaminant in food. A polymerase chain reaction-amplified product length polymorphism (PCR-APLP) assay was applied to identify hair from human and others (cat, dog, rabbit, rat and mouse) or livestock (pig, cattle, horse, sheep, goat and chicken). The PCR primers were designed to amplify partial sequences from the 16S rRNA gene to the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1) gene of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which generate different length fragments for different animal species. The PCR-APLP assay utilized two PCR reaction tubes, each of which contained one universal forward primer and six species-specific reverse primers (human, etc. or livestock). Simultaneous identification was possible by agarose gel electrophoresis of PCR products. The developed method was applied to identify the source species of 52 animal hair samples. The expected amplified product length was obtained from all samples.

With an increasing number of interventional radiology (IVR) procedures, it is a critical issue to control and reduce the radiation dose for patients by radiological technologists. In our study, we analyzed the usefulness of a provision for radiation reduction on catheter ablation and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures based on the data from radiation information system (RIS). With regard to catheter ablation, 50% reduction was enabled with decreasing fluoroscopic and radiographic conditions regardless of each technique. Radiation reduction enabled a decrease in the fluoroscopic dose during PCI procedure. However, note that excessive radiation reduction does not show positive results of the radiation dose reduction. Moreover it leads to an increase in fluoroscopic time.

Factors related to poor outcome in drug-resistant bacterial infection treatment were analyzed based on surveys at 54 National Hospital Organization facilities. Results showed common etiological causes of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP). Specifically, the odds ratio in the elderly, aged 75 years and older, was 1.473 (p=0.006) for MRSA and 6.401 (p=0.0001) for PRSP. Among those undergoing tracheal intubation, the odds ratio was 1.767 (p=0.021) for MRSA and 4.185 (p=0.0001) for PRSP, showing that advanced age and tracheal intubation tended to aggravate disease. MRSA-specific causes were pneumonia with an odds ratio of 2.426 (p=0.0001) and sepsis with one of 1.417 (p=0.013). Causes specific to Multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDRP) were Intravenous hyperalimentation (IVH) with an odds ratio of 2.078 (p=0.0001) and urinary-tract infection with one of 0.566 (p=0.027). The individual roles of these factors in poor outcomes must thus be clarified to develop preventive measures against them.

Multifocal fibrosclerosis(MFS) is a rare disorder of unknown etiology, characterized by chronic inflammation with dense fibrosis and lymphoplasmacytic infiltration into the connective tissue of various organs. Recently, MFS was classified as IgG4-related systemic disease. In this paper, we report a 60-year-old man with no history of head injury presenting with chronic subdural hematoma(CSDH). After surgery, he complained of severe, continuous headache and persistent high-grade fever. Extensive evaluation, including ⁶⁷Ga scintigraphy suggesting inflammations in various organs, liver needle biopsy showing sclerosing cholangitis, and blood examination showing elevated serum IgG4 levels, led to the diagnosis of MFS. To our knowledge this is the first report of MFS causing CSDH. The mechanism of the formation of CSDH is presumed to involve reactive granular membrane together with exudative subdural collection caused by MFS, which gives rise to minor and repeated bleeding. In this case, oral corticosteroid therapy was dramatically effective in the treatment of the condition.