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A rare case of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma(ENKL)with small intestinal perforation is reported. A 92-year-old man was admitted for a loss of consciousness. Computed tomography(CT)scan revealed the presence of an intraperitoneal abscess that was drained. Two days later, the drained fluid changed to intestinal juice, and intestinal perforation was suspected. The patient underwent surgery which revealed a 1 cm perforation site in the ileum. A high fever continued after surgery, and malignant lymphoma was diagnosed from pathological findings; however, further treatment could not be performed. He died 24 days after the operation. Pathological dissection revealed metastasis of ENKL at the systemic lymph nodes.

Herein, we report on how we were able to reduce the operation time by simultaneously performing laparoscopic surgery and breast cancer surgery using a head-mounted monitor(HMS-3000MT, Sony corporation). Case 1: 60s, female. A 5.5 cm leiomyoma was found in the central thoracic esophagus, and a 1 cm breast cancer was found in the C region of the left mammary gland. Subtotal esophagectomy with right thoracotomy and laparoscopy and a left partial mastectomy were performed. For the abdominal surgery, HMS-3000MT was used under hand-assisted laparoscopy, and a left partial mastectomy was performed concurrently. Operation time was 367 minutes(simultaneous surgery for 56 minutes). Esophagus: leiomyoma, 50×45 mm; and mammary gland: 16×15 mm, pTis(DCIS), pN0(sn), cM0, and pStage 0. Case 2: 70s, female. A 3 cm sized GIST was found on the posterior wall of the middle gastric body, and a breast cancer of 1.3 cm was also found in the B region of the right mammary gland. Using HMS-3000MT, laparoscopic local resection of the stomach and right total glandectomy were performed concurrently. Operation time was 114 minutes(simultaneous surgery for 58 minutes). Stomach: GIST, 25×22 mm, and modified Flecher classification low risk; and mammary gland: invasive ductal carcinoma, 15×15 mm, pT1c, pN0(sn), cM0, and pStage Ⅰ. Conclusion: In 2 fields of surgery, simultaneous surgery using HMS-3000MT was considered to be a useful method to shorten the operation time.

We report a case of successful laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer with an Adachi type Ⅵ group 24 vascular anomaly. A male in his 60s exhibited a type 0-Ⅱa plus Ⅱc lesion at the lesser curvature of the gastric angle by esophagogastroduodenoscopy and was diagnosed with tub2. He was referred to us for surgical treatment. The clinical diagnosis was cT1bN0M0, and cStage Ⅰ. Preoperative multidetector-row computed tomography(MDCT)showed an Adachi type Ⅵ group 24 vascular anomaly. At laparoscopic surgery, we dissected No. 8a lymph nodes with exposure of the surface of the portal vein because the common hepatic artery was absent. The left gastric artery and splenic artery formed a common trunk. As there are various kinds of vascular anomalies of the celiac artery branch, we must understand the arterial running pattern prior to gastric surgery. This technique is more useful in laparoscopic surgeries where tactile sensation is limited. To prevent perioperative and postoperative complications, we must recognize the anomaly pattern prior to surgery using MDCT.

We report a case in which recurrent partial HER2-positive gastric cancer showed complete clinical response to capecitabine (Cape)/oxaliplatin(L-OHP/OX)(CapeOX)plus trastuzumab(Tmab)combined chemotherapy for 32months. A 65-yearold man underwent distal gastrectomy, D2 lymph node dissection, and Roux-en-Y reconstruction for type 2 gastric cancer of the prepyloric anterior wall in December 2014. Pathological stage was as follows: L, ant, Type 2, 32×22 mm, tub1>tub2> por1, pT2(MP), int>med, INF c>a, Ly1a, V0, pN0, cM0, cH0, cP0, pCY0, pStage I B, pPM0(60mm), pDM0(75mm), pR0. Immunostaining of the tumor indicated overexpression of the HER2 gene in more than 10% of the well differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma(tub1). Nineteen months post-surgery, pancreatic head lymph node metastasis was diagnosed, and we started CapeOX plus Tmab combined chemotherapy. After 19 courses, the metastatic lymph node reduced its size until we could not detect it on CT. We continued treatment for 45 courses(about 32 months). During the courses, there were adverse events such as peripheral neuropathy(Grade 3, CTCAE v5.0), which required interruption of L-OHP, and oral mucosal ulcer (Grade 2).

A 76-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of an abnormal shadow on chest X-ray. His physical exams and laboratory data were not notable. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed 2 nodular lesions with clear margin in anterior mediastinum. The nodule at the left inferior pole of the thymus was 9 cm in diameter, and another one at the right inferior pole was 3.5 cm in diameter. We performed thymo-thymectomy by median sternotomy. Histological study revealed that the left tumor was type B2 thymoma and the other one was type A thymoma. Both were completely encapsulated without invasion, which means stage Ⅰ by Masaoka's classification. The patient has showed no evidence of recurrence for 11 years following the surgery. This is the 1st case in Japan that reported synchronous multicentric thymoma with apparently different histology of type A and B2.

A 70-year-old woman had consulted a doctor at a former clinic because of bloody stool and colonoscopy revealed a type 2 tumor of the rectum. She was referred to our hospital for further examinations and treatment. Preoperative blood examination showed an elevated HbA1c level of 10.2%. Abdominal CT showed a 25mm tumor in the left adrenal gland. The patient was diagnosed with adrenal Cushing's syndrome based on low ACTH levels, disappearance of circadian variation in blood cortisol levels, lack of inhibition by dexamethasone loading, and high urinary cortisol levels. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for left adrenal tumor and low anterior resection for rectal cancer were performed. The pathological findings were rectal cancer, pap, pT1b(SM), pN0, cM0, fStageⅠof rectal cancer, and adrenal cortical adenoma. The postoperative course was uneventful with steroid replacement therapy. The ileal stoma was closed 4 months after surgery. Surgery in hyperadrenalism requires perioperative steroid replacement therapy because of the risk of postoperative acute adrenal failure. In addition, when diabetes is poorly controlled, we should be careful about risk of leakage and susceptibility to infection.

A 68-year-old man with abdominal mass and anorexia was diagnosed with transvers colon cancer invading the abdominal wall. Considering the difficulty of curative resection, we first performed ileostomy. After surgery, the patient received mFOL FOX6 with bevacizumab as neoadjuvant chemotherapy. After 10 course of the regimen, computed tomography revealed shrinkage of the lesion, with the efficacy evaluated as a partial response. The patient underwent right hemicolectomy and partial resection of the abdominal wall. The pathological findings was ypT3(SS), ypN3, ly0, v1, ypPM0, ypDM0, ypRM0, ypStage III b. On histopathological examination, the efficacy of the chemotherapy was evaluated as Grade 1b. The patient received adjuvant chemotherapy with mFOLFOX6 and remains well without any evidence of recurrence more than 7 months after surgery.

A 74-year-oldwoman hadconsultedthe department of urology in our hospital because of microscopic hematuria. Cystoscopy revealeda urinary bladder tumor, suspectedas an adenocarcinoma basedon biopsy. MRI showeda cystic tumor of the appendix with vesical fistula; therefore, she underwent an operation with a diagnosis of appendiceal cancer invading the urinary bladder. During the operation, we found that the appendix sunk into the urinary bladder with right adnexa. Therefore, we performed ileocecal resection, partial resection of the urinary bladder, and right adnexectomy. Macroscopically, the bladder was filled with a large number of mucus lumps. A papillary tumor, 4 cm in size, growing in the lumen of the bladder was detectedat the invasion site. Microscopically, proliferating carcinoma cells in a papillary form were observedin the lumen of the appendix with mucus production, invading the wall of the urinary bladder at the fundus of the appendix. Thus, the patient was diagnosed with mucinous adenocarcinoma of the appendix(V, type 1, 45×30 mm, muc, pT4b[SI, urinary bladder], int, INF c, ly0, v0, pN0, cM0, pStage II ). Primary appendiceal cancer invading the urinary bladder is very rare; herein, we report a rare case of appendiceal mucinous adenocarcinoma detected with a bladder tumor and present a literature review.

A standard symptomatic therapy regimen of bevacizumab(BV)plus paclitaxel(PTX)was planned for use in 3 cases of metastatic breast cancer. Due to poor patient performance status(PS)because of malignant pleural effusion and ascites, the initial standard regimen was determined to be unsuitable. However, adjustment and fine-tuning of the BV plus PTX interval and dosage were found to be effective in improving symptoms, and consequently obtained good efficacy. Adverse effects were managed with drug withdrawal and symptomatic therapy. The 3 clinical cases all included females aged 62-76 years old, with a median age of 67.6. One case was classified as PS 3, and 2 were classified as PS 4. The main deciding factors for initiating the regimen of BV plus PTX were 2 cases of malignant pleural effusion and 1 case of malignant ascites, which contributed to worsening of the overall PS. With adjustment and fine-tuning of the BV plus PTX interval and dosage, we were able to safely achieve symptomatic improvement in 3 metastatic breast cancer cases, in which the overall PS grade was unsuitable for standard chemotherapy.

A 52-year-old man visited a local hospital complaining of abdominal distension. Enhanced computed tomography scan revealed a giant retroperitoneal tumor surrounding the left internal iliac artery and left kidney. We performed en bloc tumor resection with left internal iliac artery resection. The tumor was 35 cm in size and weighed 6,860 g. The histological diagnosis was a dedifferentiated liposarcoma. After surgery, the patient experienced left lower limb paralysis. Clinical examination and neurological findings suggested a lumbosacral problem. After 6 months, the patient's lower limb paralysis had not improved. It is important to note that ischemic neuropathy may be related to internal iliac artery resection.

A 64-year-old woman with anorexia and anemia was diagnosed with ascending colon cancer invading the duodenum. Considering the difficulty of curative resection, we first performed gastrojejunostomy and ileostomy. After surgery, the patient received FOLFIRI with cetuximab as neoadjuvant chemotherapy. After 9 courses of the regimen, enhanced computed tomography revealed shrinkage of the lesion, with the efficacy evaluated as a partial response. The patient underwent right hemico- lectomy and partial resection of the duodenum. The pathological diagnosis was pT3(SS), pN0(0/30), ly1, v1, pPM0, pDM0, pRM0, fStage II . On histopathological examination, the efficacy of chemotherapy was evaluated as Grade 1a. The patient received adjuvant chemotherapy with FOLFIRI and remains well without any evidence of recurrence more than 6 months after surgery.

A 60-year-old woman visited a local hospital complaining of melena. On colonoscopy, she was found to have 2 tumors in the lower rectum, each of approximately 10 mm in diameter. A biopsy of the tumors indicated MALT lymphoma, and the patient was referred to our hospital. We performed intersphincteric resection (ISR) with lymph node dissection according to the guidelines for the treatment of rectal cancer for 2 reasons. One reason was that eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori was not effective in this case, and we needed to obtain an accurate histopathological diagnosis as to whether the patient had diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The other reason was that it was localized disease in the rectum, and that curative resection could be performed. MALT lymphoma of the rectum occurs frequently in the lower rectum and has a relatively good prognosis. It is important to consider the quality of life when selecting an operative method. ISR is thought to be a good option.

Between February 2007 and December 2013, 65 liver resections for colorectal metastases were performed in our institution. Preoperative chemotherapy was conducted in 47 patients, of whom 42 were treated with modified FOLFOX6 (mFOLFOX6)-based preoperative chemotherapy. For cases of solitary tumors smaller than 2 cm that are located in the liver surface area, we selected upfront surgery. In the patients who underwent preoperative chemotherapy and upfront surgery, the 3-year OS was 73.9% (Grade A: 81.8%, Grade B: 77.8%, and Grade C: 0%) and the 5-year OS was 62.5%. The 3-year OS in the preoperative chemotherapy group was 63.3%. OS did not differ significantly between the patients who were grouped according to the time of metastasis onset or the extent of metastasis according to the Japanese classification. In the multivariate analysis, no statistical differences were found between the risk factors for recurrence. However, further follow up is needed. Moreover, we believe that the relationships of morphological response to chemotherapy, pathological response, and clinical prognosis should be assessed in the future.

A 65-year-old woman complaining of melena and a high fever was admitted to our hospital. Colonoscopy revealed a large tumor with a wide ulcer in the terminal ileum, and nasal type, extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma was suspected via biopsy. Owing to rapid progression of hepatocellular damage with hepatomegaly and splenomegaly, chemotherapy with CHOP was initiated immediately. Two days later, the patient developed panperitonitis, and emergency laparotomy was performed. The tumor in the terminal ileum widely adhered to the bladder, where a deep perforated ulcer was found, for which palliative ileocecal resection was performed. Enlargement of the residual tumor caused an abdominal abscess, intestinal obstruction, and hepatic failure, and the patient died 75 days after surgery. In summary, we initiated chemotherapy to control the deteriorating systemic condition of the patient. However, nasal type, extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma is a rapidly progressing lymphoma occasionally accompanied by perforation of the tumor. Surgery preceding chemotherapy should be considered an alternative treatment.

We experienced a case of pseudo-Meigs syndrome associated with metachronous metastasis to the ovary from ascending colon cancer. A 65-year-old woman underwent curative surgery for ascending colon cancer at another hospital. A follow-up CT carried out 3 months after the surgery revealed a right ovarian tumor and a large amount of ascites. The patient was diagnosed with ovarian metastasis from ascending colon cancer with carcinomatous peritonitis. Palliative care was recommended, and she presented at our department for a second opinion. In spite of a large amount of ascites and pleural effusion, no disseminating tumor was detected on contrast-enhanced CT at our hospital, and we recommended that she undergo a diagnostic laparotomy. The laparotomy was negative for carcinomatous peritonitis and a right oophorectomy was performed. The histopathological findings indicated that the ovarian tumor was consistent with metastasis from ascending colon cancer. After the surgery, we initiated chemotherapy with mFOLFOX6+bevacizumab and the symptoms were well controlled. A follow-up CT carried out 11 months after the surgery revealed a left ovarian tumor and increased ascites, and the patient underwent a left oophorectomy. Then, chemotherapy with the same regimen was administered for 12 months, and she did not develop any signs of recurrence for 27 months after the surgery. Ovarian metastasis from colon cancer may occasionally cause pseudo-Meigs syndrome, and it is important to be aware of the usefulness of oophorectomy for the control of ascites and pleural effusion.

In the 11-week practical hospital training of pharmaceutical students in Nagoya University Hospital, a clinical practice program has been implemented with the objective of compensating for any deficits students may have in skills and attitudes due to insufficiencies in their formal education. The program aims to enable the students to observe patients from various angles, obtain from them information necessary for drug therapy, and propose multiple treatment methods according to the patient's background and situation. Tests are conducted before and after the program to assess the students' knowledge and to confirm whether lectures on basic knowledge of practical skills had been provided and whether practical skill training had been performed. The rate of correct answers on the postprogram test rose significantly after the practice program compared with the preprogram scores, thus confirming that the students' knowledge improved. Because the content of their knowledge and the experience that they had acquired previously was in accordance with older guidelines, however, it will be necessary to update students' knowledge regularly and to instill knowledge, skills, and attitudes that they will be able to apply in actual medical practice. In the questionnaire after the end of the program, more than 80% of the students indicated that they had benefitted. Many responded that this program would be useful for their practical hospital training on the wards and for their future work. This suggests that the program is extremely beneficial to the students.

A 71-year-old woman was referred to our department for evaluation of a right temporal headache. She had been diagnosed with Takayasu arteritis in her twenties but did not receive steroid therapy. A brain MRI scan detected thickened dura mater with abnormal enhancement on the right cerebral hemisphere. She was diagnosed with hypertrophic pachymeningitis, but she refused to be treated with steroids. Three months later, she noticed periorbital pain and blurred vision in her left eye, although the right temporal headache was reduced. A brain MRI scan detected thickened dura mater with abnormal enhancement on the left cerebral hemisphere adjacent to the left orbit and a swelled left superior rectus muscle with abnormal enhancement. However, the MRI results also showed that the thickening of the dura mater on the right cerebral hemisphere had improved. The new symptoms and the abnormalities revealed with imaging were resolved following steroid therapy. Takayasu arteritis mainly affects the large vessels, but can involve small and systemic vessels. This case presents a rare but possible link between hypertrophic pachymeningitis and Takayasu arteritis.

It is considered that cancer stem cells have the same characteristics as normal stem cells, such as drug-resistance, self-renewal, differentiation, and tissue-formation. Normal stem cells depend on their surroundings, a niche. Cancer stem cells may also depend on their own niche. Because cancer stem cells are resistant to present remedies, it is important to find a remedy targeting cancer stem cells. The remedy must not only target cancer stem cells themselves but also target the niche surrounding the cancer stem cells.

An approximately 50-year-old man with rectal cancer(RbP)[ cT3(cA), cN3, cM0, and cStage IIIb] who desired anus preservation was administered mFOLFOX6 therapy. This treatment decreased the size of both the tumor and the lymph node, and intersphincteric resection (ISR) was performed. Histopathology demonstrated tumor invasion beyond the muscularis propria, and the histological effectiveness was Grade 2. Because computed tomography showed an abscess in the dissection area, we performed postoperative drainage and the patient recovered. Therapy with mFOLFOX6 was repeated after the patient was discharged from hospital. Increased adoption of anus-preserving surgery is expected via successful control of local recurrence and distant metastasis by neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

The number of lung resection for patients with lung cancer has been increasing lineally for last two decades in Japan. It reached more than 30,000 in 2009. Subsequently those combined with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) also have increased. As pulmonary vascular bed has already been lost to some extent due to chronic alveolar destruction, a careful preoperative physiologic assessment according to a guideline by American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) or European Respiratory Society( ERS)/European Society of Thoracic Surgeons( ESTS) is important to select patients to be underwent lung resection within acceptable risk. The process to evaluate the risk of lung resection for a lung cancer patient has three steps structured by forced expiratory volume in 1 sec( FEV1), diffusion capacitiy for carbon monoxide (DLco), and exercise capacity. We suggested that it would be more practical to add global initiative for obstructive lung disease( GOLD) staging of each patient and distribution of emphysematous lung obtained by functional imaging modarities to the pathway of flow chart of the guideline. Some patients with very low FEV1 demonstrate increase in FEV1 after lung resection by so called lung volume reduction effect. To utilize lots of findings and experiences obtained from lung volume reduction surgery( LVRS) contributes to select patients with lung cancer and COPD and to perform lung resection and perioperative care properly.

Today's advances in diagnostic image-technologies often enable us to find small lung cancers. However, we have few definite strategies including how to diagnosis and treat them. In this study, we performed a retrospective analysis of 122 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for non-small cell lung cancer 20 mm or less in diameter to clarify the clinical features of small lung cancer. Of 122 patients, there were 114 patients of pN0, and 8 patients with lymph node metastasis. Seventy three patients underwent lobectomy, 45 underwent segmentectomy, and 4 underwent wedge resection based on the findings of preoperative CT and anatomical and oncological view during operation. Overall survival rate( OS) and progression free survival( PFS) at 3-year was, 94% and 84%, respectively. There were no differences in OS or PFS between lobectomy group and limited resection group, which might suggest that we adapted appropriate surgical procedures. Multivariate analysis revealed that pathological pleural invasion, lymphatic vessel invasion, and vascular vessel invasion were likely to be unfavorable prognostic-factors. We believe that further investigations should be required to clarify the characteristics of small lung cancer.

Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) is one of the life-threatening complications caused by endothelial damage to the hepatic sinusoids after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. However, a satisfactory treatment for SOS has not yet been established. Defibrotide has anti-thrombotic, anti-ischemic, anti-inflammatory, and thrombolytic properties without systemic anticoagulant effects. We treated eight post-transplant SOS patients with defibrotide. Three patients responded to the therapy and the initial response was observed within a week. In addition to the improvement of liver function, rapid recovery of response to diuretic drugs followed by the improvement of renal function was observed. All of the five patients with respiratory dysfunction died despite administration of defibrotide, suggesting that early treatment might lead to better outcomes. There were no severe adverse effects directly due to defibrotide administration. Defibrotide seems to be a promising treatment for SOS, and the initiation of a clinical study in Japan would be important.

Purpose: To analyze the effect of indocyanine green (ICG) dye on cultured Müller cells., Methods: Cultured quail Müller cells were exposed to ICG dye at different temperatures and ICG concentrations for different exposure duration. Viability and death of the Müller cells were determined spectrophotometrically., Results: The cells did not change in viability or morphology soon after the exposure to ICG at 20 degrees C. However, further cultivation of the ICG-exposed cells after washing out ICG caused cell death and morphological changes depending on dose and duration of the preceding ICG exposure at 20 degrees C. Although ICG exposure at a higher concentration and longer duration induced more cell death and reduced cell viability, ICG exposure at a lower concentration and shorter duration raised cell viability in spite of increased cell death. ICG exposure at 37 degrees C for 60 minutes induced morphological changes soon and the cells were stained more intensively with ICG than with exposure at 20 degrees C. Shortened exposure of three minutes at 37 degrees C showed less change of cell viability and cell death than exposure of 60 minutes., Conclusion: ICG exposure at 37 degrees C caused earlier and more cell death than exposure at 20 degrees C. The cytotoxicity of ICG on Müller cells was dose and exposure-time dependent.

A 66-year-old female was referred to our hospital with bone pain and progressive pancytopenia with granular lymphocyte infiltration only in the bone marrow (BM). Flow cytometric and histological analyses revealed that these cells were positive for CD3, TCRalphabeta, granzyme B, and the diagnosis of T-cell granular lymphocyte leukemia (T-GLL) with myelofibrosis was made. These BM granular lymphocytes were greatly ruffled and showed the CD3/CD20 double positive phenotype, which was not detected in the peripheral blood. The patient was treated with a single course of fludarabine followed by a favorable clinical course for 3 months. Many of the BM lymphocytes displayed almost normal appearance after treatment, however, the number of lymphocytes in the BM did not decrease and these were still CD3/CD20 double positive. This is an overlap case of T-GLL and peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified (PTCLu).

TIRFM (total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy) is a fast-growing imaging technique which is currently getting significant attention of scientific community. The great advantage of this type of microscopy is in its optical sectioning capability superior to other techniques, such as confocal microscopy. Better signal to noise ratio makes it possible to directly observe the behavior of biomolecules at the single-molecule level both in vitro and in vivo. In this review, I will elucidate the physical theory of the TIR and optical sectioning effects and will provide with the examples of how they can be utilized in microscopy and bioscience. Finally, I will go through an example of a design procedure of a home-built objective-type TIRFM and demonstrate the latest single molecule imaging example acquired by our TIRFM setup.

Purpose: Miosis and anterior chamber inflammation-like reactions were recognized after six instillations of 0.1% cyclosporin A eye drops every 30 minutes into rabbit conjunctival sacs. In order to consider species specificity, 0.1% cyclosporin A eye drops were applied by the same method in monkeys., Methods: Eye drops were applied in five monkeys (monkey A, B, C, D, E); in one eye as control and in nine eyes with 0.1% cyclosporin A. We investigated the changes of pupil diameter, intraocular pressure, and anterior chamber flare before and after applying the eye drops. We also examined the effect on ocular tissue histopathologically., Results: Miosis was recognized in six eyes, but no significant intraocular pressure change was observed in any eyes. In both eyes of monkey A anterior chamber flare increased significantly, and flare increased slightly in both eyes of monkeys B, C, and D. On the other hand, there was no change in either eye of monkey E, including the control eye. Localized necrosis of nonpigmented ciliary epithelium was recognized at the beginning of the ciliary process in both eyes of monkey A. Mild cystoid degeneration of nonpigmented ciliary epithelium was seen at the beginning of the ciliary process in the right eye of monkey C, and in the left eye of monkey D., Conclusion: No species specificity can be recognized in monkeys from the fact that there is the selective destruction of nonpigmented epithelium at the beginning of the ciliary process after repeated instillation of 0.1% cyclosporin A eye drops, although there was a difference in miosis and anterior chamber inflammation-like reaction in individual monkeys.

Purpose: To compare the reactive proliferation of non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells in patients with cyclitis, or after cyclophotocoagulation and cyclocryocoagulation, and the cultured non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells from adult pigs., Methods: Porcine ciliary epithelial cells were cultured and non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells were isolated. Detection of DNA synthesis, morphological observation by a phase contrast microscope and a transmission electron microscope, and staining of senescence-associated beta-galactosidase were carried out., Results: The cells proliferated without showing contact inhibition of growth or reconstitution of epithelial morphology. With a decrease of proliferative activity, the cultured cells expressed senescence-associated beta-galactosidase. Although DNA synthesis persisted for a long time, some cells in later culture periods showed morphologically abnormal nuclei or plural nuclei indicating dysfunction of cell division, or apoptotic features., Conclusion: The uncontrolled growth and loss of the epithelial nature of non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells in vitro resembles the process of formation of cyclitic membrane and proliferation of ciliary epithelium after cyclophotocoagulation and cyclocryocoagulation in patients. Observatin of the behavior of cultured non-pigment epithelial cells could aid in understanding the mechanism of cyclitic membrane formation.

Unlabelled: Patients with coronary ectasia often develop chest pain and reveal ischemic changes on electrocardiograms and reduced left ventricular wall motion on left ventriculography, in the absence of epicardial coronary artery stenotic regions. We examined the disturbances in the coronary microcirculation in patients with coronary ectasia using left ventriculography and ATP loading 99mTc-tetrofosmin myocardial single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) before and after administration of a coronary vasodilator and antiplatelet agents., Methods: Twenty patients in whom coronary angiography revealed diffuse coronary artery ectasia but no stenotic regions were enrolled in this study. Left ventriculography and ATP loading 99mTc-tetrofosmin myocardial SPECT were performed before and after administration of the coronary vasodilator, nicorandil, as well as that of the antiplatelet agents, aspirin and ticlopidine., Results: (1) The ejection fraction in left ventriculography was 48.3 +/- 17.4% before, and 56.6 +/- 18.3% after the drug administration, the ejection fraction was improved after the drug administration (p < 0.05). (2) Before the drug administration, the total defect scores on 99mTc-tetrofosmin myocardial SPECT were 5.9 +/- 3.1 and 8.8 +/- 2.7 in the ATP-loading and rest images, respectively (p < 0.05), and the corresponding scores after the drug administration were 4.1 +/- 3.0 and 5.4 +/- 3.1, respectively (N.S.). Thus, the total defect scores in the ATP-loading and rest images improved after the drug administration (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: Myocardial damage in patients with coronary ectasia might be induced by microthrombotic embolism and microcirculation disturbance.

A patient with Facial diplegia and paresthesias, a rare regional variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), is described. A 37-year-old woman developed paresthesias in the distal limbs and subsequently bifacial weakness. She had had a preceding episode of laryngitis. Neurological examination showed severe facial diplegia with loss of taste sensation on the tip of the tongue. Limb muscle power was preserved. Deep tendon reflexes were generally absent. She complained of paresthesias in the distal limbs, but sensory examination was normal. Cerebrospinal fluid showed albuminocytological dissociation. Electrophysiological studies revealed severe facial nerve involvements and demyelinative findings in her limbs. Intravenous immunoglobulin rapidly improved the abnormal sensation in her limbs. Although facial diplegia gradually lessened after the therapy, mild residual weakness was noted 6 months after the neurological onset. To diagnose facial diplegia and paresthesias, it is important to clarify the findings common to typical GBS such as the antecedent illness, acute and monophasic course, distal paresthesias, areflexia, cerebrospinal fluid albuminocytological dissociation, and demyelinative conduction abnormalities in the limbs.

Case 1: A 60-year-old woman with sigmoid colon cancer and multiple lung metastases developed dyspnea 34 months after sigmoidectomy and following systemic chemotherapy. Chest X-ray revealed left atelectasis and obstruction of the left main bronchus by lung metastasis, and stenosis of the right main bronchus was also suspected. Bronchial arterial infusion of CDDP, 5-FU and MMC relieved the atelectasis and dyspnea. The left bronchus remained patent for 12 months. Case 2: A 70-year-old man who had a pulmonary recurrence of rectal cancer suffered from hemoptysis and dyspnea, which had improved with systemic chemotherapy but then become exacerbated again. Bronchoscopic examination revealed intraluminal bleeding from a metastatic tumor. The symptoms were relieved after bronchial arterial infusion of CDDP, 5-FU and MMC. The diameter of the treated tumor was reduced by 15%. Hemoptysis was negligible until he died 8 months later. Bronchial arterial infusion chemotherapy for pulmonary metastasis from colorectal cancer is clinically beneficial, especially for patients with life-threatening respiratory symptoms like airway obstruction or intraluminal bleeding.

Sympathetic nerve system is activated as a compensatory mechanism in heart failure. However, excessive activation of sympathetic nerve system deteriorates disease state. Sympathetic nerve system can be suppressed with N-type Ca2+ channel blocker. An antihypertensive drug, cilnidipine, is a dual L/N-type Ca2+ channel blocker. We studies usefulness of cilnidipine in treating with chronic heart failure with 123I-MIBG myocardial scintigraphy. We enrolled 24 patients with stable chronic heart failure. Twelve patients were treated with ACE-inhibitors, diuretics and cardiotonics (control group), and the other 12 patients were treated with ACE-inhibitors, diuretics, cardiotonics and cilnidipine (cilnidipine group). We examined blood pressure, heart rate, norepinephrine level, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level, cardiothoracic ratio on chest X-ray, ejection fraction of left ventricle on two-dimensional echocardiography, count rate of heart to mediastinum (H/M) and washout rate (WOR) on 123I-MIBG myocardial scintigraphy before and six months after medication. Symptom was improved in 8 patients in the control group and 10 patients in the cilnidipine group after medication. And another parameters were also improved in the both groups after medication. However the degree of change in blood pressure (mmHg) was 21.2 +/- 8.0 in the cilnidipine group and 10.8 +/- 9.1 in the control group, that in heart rate (/min) was 24.1 +/- 6.8 and 16.2 +/- 11.0, that in BNP level (pg/ml) was 65.2 +/- 12.0 and 42.8 +/- 11.1, that in H/M was 0.30 +/- 0.08 and 0.19 +/- 0.09, that in WOR was 19.4 +/- 5.6 and 12.2 +/- 7.0, respectively. And the degree of these changes were larger in the cilnidipine group (p < 0.05). These findings suggested that cilnidipine, a dual L/N-type Ca2+ channel blocker, might be useful in treating with chronic heart failure.

We described a patient with ataxic Guillain-Barré syndrome who subsequently developed facial diplegia. A 38-year-old man developed ataxia, distal limb paresthesias, mild dysphagia, urinary retention and orthostatic hypotension a week after an episode of laryngitis. He had high titers of serum anti-GQ1b, anti-GD1b, anti-GM1b, anti-GT1a, and anti-GD1a IgG antibodies during the acute phase. Although the initial symptoms markedly improved by intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, asymmetric facial diplegia subsequently occurred and remained longer than ataxia. Similar course of facial nerve palsy has been reported in patients with Fisher syndrome. Common pathophysiological mechanism may function in the development of delayed facial diplegia in Fisher syndrome and ataxic Guillain-Barre syndrome.

A 57-year-old woman developed muscular stiffness and painful cramps, which were relieved by administration of dantrolene sodium. Her serum level of antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) was markedly elevated and continuous muscular activities were observed on resting surface EMG. These features were compatible with those in stiff-person syndrome (SPS). She was found to have thymoma on CT scan. Immediately after thymomectomy, which was histologically diagnosed as a benign hyperplasia, she developed head retraction reflex-like movements evoked by sensory stimulation to the face, which were followed by severe bulbar symptoms with dysphagia and respiratory arrest. Postoperative myasthenia gravis was excluded clinically. While somatosensory evoked EMG on splenius muscle initially showed biphasic responses with latency of 15 msec and 55 msec, respectively after oral angle non-painful electric stimulation, the late potential phase disappeared after the patient recovered from bulbar symptoms. This suggests that head retraction reflex-like movements of this patient reflected the attenuation of inhibitory potentials from the brainstem.

Echocardiography demonstrated a high echoic lesion(6 x 5 mm) in the apex of the left ventricle of a 72-year-old man(Case 1) and similar lesions(7 x 6 mm and 4 x 3 mm) in the apex of the left ventricle of a 60-year-old man(Case 2). The amplitude of cyclic variation of integrated backscattering of the high echoic lesions was measured by acoustic densitometry to be lower than that of the myocardium in Case 1, but similar to that of the myocardium in Case 2. Contrast echocardiography detected the perfusion defect of the high echoic lesion in Case 1, but not in Case 2 in the apical four-chamber view. These findings showed that the high echoic lesion indicated thrombus in Case 1, and papillary muscle in Case 2. Measurement of the amplitude of the time intensity curve with contrast echocardiography showed that the amplitude of thrombus was different from that of myocardium. This method is useful for ultrasonic tissue characterization.

A 69-year-old woman presented with dyspnea on exertion. Echocardiography showed dilatation and diffuse hypokinesis of the left ventricle. 99mTc-tetrofosmin myocardial SPECT showed moderately reduced uptake in the anteroseptal wall and the inferior wall on the rest images, but was improved on the ATP loading images. 123I-BMIPP myocardial SPECT showed severely reduced uptake in the anterior wall and the inferior wall. These SPECT findings suggested ischemic heart disease rather than dilated cardiomyopathy. Coronary angiography showed no organic stenosis, but diffuse coronary ectasia was noted in three vessels. Intravascular ultrasound revealed remarkable coronary ectasia, with a maximal diameter of 8.2 mm. Coronary flow velocity as measured by Doppler blood flow guide wire was remarkably reduced. Coronary spasms were not provocated by ergonovine loading test. These findings suggested that microvascular thrombi and disturbance of dilatation caused myocardial ischemia in this patient. We treated the patient with ticlopidine and nicorandil. Following treatment left ventricle wall motion, 99mTc-tetrofosmin and 123I-BMIPP myocardial SPECT findings were improved.

We reported a case of a 72-year-old man with chest pain. An electrocardiogram showed ST segment elevation in I, II, III, aVL, aVF and V1-6 leads. 99mTc-tetrofosmin myocardial SPECT showed defect in the anterior, septal, apical and inferior walls. Coronary angiography showed 99% stenosis of the proximal right coronary artery and total occlusion of the midsegment of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Therefore, direct PTCA was performed for each lesion to achieve reperfusion. We didnt's see reperfusion injury during PTCA of the left coronary artery. On the other side, we saw severe reperfusion injury, such as slow-flow, arrhythmia and falling blood pressure during PTCA of the right coronary artery. After four hours, 99mTc-PYP myocardial SPECT showed marked uptake in the apical and inferior walls, and mild uptake in the anterior and posterior walls. After three days, severely-reduced uptake of 99mTc-PYP in the apex was noted, and mild uptake in the mid-portion of the anterior wall and the mid-portion of the inferior wall. Though reperfusion injury was seen, three was mild myocardial uptake of 99mTc-PYP in the area of the right coronary artery. On the other side, despite no reperfusion injury, there showed marked uptake during the acute phase and defect during the subacute phase in the area of the left coronary artery. Wall motion of the left ventricle was normal in the area of the right coronary artery and akinesis was seen on the left. These findings suggest that 99mTc-tetrofosmin and 99mTc-PYP myocardial SPECT are useful for visualization of reperfusion injury during the acute phase and for estimation of function during the chronic phase, better even than electrocardiogram or coronary angiography.

We report our experience with five cases of acute hemorrhagic rectal ulcer in aged patients. The patients included two men and three women whose ages ranged from 73 to 86 with a mean of 79.6. All cases had underlying disorders, including cerebral vascular disease, fracture of the fibula, senile dementia, chronic rheumatoid arthritis, or were recuperating from a cardiovascular operation. All cases were in bed rest and complained of sudden anal bleeding without pain. Endoscopic examination showed rectal ulcer localized in the lower rectum close to the dentate line. Four cases were treated by HSE injection and ligation by clipping devices with endoscopy and one case was surgically ligated by a transanal approach. All cases had good outcomes. Emergency colonoscopic examination is considered essential for the diagnosis and treatment of acute hemorrhagic rectal ulcers, especially in aged patients with severe underlying disorders.