Search

We determined the complete mitochondrial sequences of female-transmitted (F) mitogenomes of six unionid specimens from the Lake Biwa system, Japan. Their gene contents and orders agreed with those of the typical F mitogenome of freshwater mussels. Molecular phylogenetic analysis using fifteen previously identified partial COI and 12 (six previously identified and six newly determined) whole mitogenome sequences revealed that five of the six mitogenomes (LC592401, LC592402, LC592403, LC592408, and LC592410) were those of Beringiana fukuharai, while the remaining one (LC592406) was Sinanodonta tumens.

We determined the complete mitochondrial sequences of female-transmitted (F) mitogenomes of two unionid specimens from the Lake Biwa system, Japan. Their gene contents and orders agreed with those ...

Background Repetitive electrical nerve stimulation of the lower limb may improve neurogenic claudication in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) as originally described by Tamaki et al. We tested if this neuromodulation technique affects the F-wave conduction on both sides to explore the underlying physiologic mechanisms. Methods We studied a total of 26 LSS patients, assigning 16 to a study group receiving repetitive tibial nerve stimulation at the ankle (RTNS) on one leg, and 10 to a group without RTNS. RTNS conditioning consisted of a 0.3-ms duration square-wave pulse with an intensity 20% above the motor threshold, delivered at a rate of 5 Hz for 5 min. All patients underwent the walking test and the F-wave and M-wave studies for the tibial nerve on both sides twice; once as the baseline, and once after either the 5-min RTNS or 5-min rest. Results Compared to the baselines, a 5-min RTNS increased claudication distance (176 ± 96 m vs 329 ± 133 m; p = 0.0004) and slightly but significantly shortened F-wave minimal onset latency (i.e., increased F-wave conduction velocity) not only on the side receiving RTNS (50.7 ± 4.0 ms vs 49.2 ± 4.2 ms; p = 0.00081) but also on the contralateral side (50.1 ± 4.6 ms vs 47.9 ± 4.2 ms; p = 0.011). A 5-min rest in the group not receiving RTNS neither had a significant change on claudication distance nor on any F-wave measurements. The M response remained unchanged in both groups. Conclusions The present study verified a beneficial effect of unilaterally applied RTNS of a mild intensity on neurogenic claudication and bilateral F-wave conduction. Our F-wave data suggest that this type of neuromodulation could be best explained by an RTNS-induced widespread sympathetic tone reduction with vasodilation, which partially counters a walking-induced further decline in nerve blood flow in LSS patients who already have ischemic cauda equina.

We determined two complete mitochondrial sequences of female-transmitted (F) mitogenomes of two Hyriopsis schlegelii specimens from this species’ original habitat, Lake Biwa. The mitogenomes were both 15,951 bp in length, and the gene contents and orders agreed with those of the typical F mitogenome of Hyriopsis. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the previously identified 13 partial sequences confirmed that the two mitogenomes both belonged to H. schlegelii and not to a closely related Chinese species, Hyriopsis cumingii. The same analysis revealed that two mitogenomes (HQ641406 and FJ529186) previously published as H. schlegelii and H. cumingii might be misidentified.

Smoke inhalation injury is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in thermally injured individuals. There is evidence of increased oxygen free radical activity, e.g., superoxide, in association with smoke inhalation injury. Because superoxide dismutase converts the reactive superoxide radical to peroxide, we hypothesized that nebulization of manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) into the airway might attenuate pulmonary dysfunction secondary to smoke inhalation injury. The present study was designed as a prospective, controlled, and randomized laboratory experiment to determine the effects of aerosolized Mn-SOD on lung fluid balance, as indexed by changes in pulmonary microvascular permeability, lung lymph flow (Q(L)), and gas exchange in an established and clinically relevant ovine model of smoke inhalation injury. Fifteen female Merino sheep were chronically instrumented with a femoral arterial, a Swan-Ganz, and a left atrial catheter. In addition, the right caudal mediastinal lymph node was cannulated to measure Q(L) (mL.h(-1)). Pneumatic occluders were placed around the right pulmonary veins for the determination of the reflection coefficient (sigma). After 7 days of recovery, sheep were randomly allocated to (a) an untreated control group (4 groups of 12 breaths of cotton smoke), (b) an injured group treated with nebulized Mn-SOD (5 mg/kg), and (c) an injured group that received only the vehicle (nebulized saline). Nebulization was performed 1 h and 12 h after smoke inhalation. Mn-SOD nebulization attenuated the increase in both filtration coefficient and sigma and significantly decreased lung tissue conjugated dienes. However, there were no differences in Q(L), PaO2/FiO2 ratio, and bloodless lung wet/dry weight ratio between groups. Although Mn-SOD nebulization attenuated the loss of protein, it failed to improve lung edema and pulmonary gas exchange, thereby limiting its clinical use.

症例は72歳,男性.発熱,右鼠径部痛,大腿部痛を主訴にて入院.骨盤腔CTにて右腸腰筋膿瘍と診断し経後腹膜的排膿ドレナージ術施行.膿様排液を多量に認めた.症状は消失したが,術後5日目にドレーンより便汁様排液を多量に認め,細菌培養でE. coli検出.精査により盲腸癌と診断.術後17日目,結腸右半切除術を施行.腫瘍は10cm大で,後腹膜に浸潤しており,切除の際後腹膜腔に達したが,腸腰筋への直接浸潤は認めなかった.術後経過は良好であったが, 2回目の手術から約2カ月後に右化膿性股関節炎による大腿骨頭壊死を発症,整形外科的治療目的にて他院へ転院した.腸腰筋膿瘍を併発した大腸癌は稀である.本疾患は高齢者に多く,全身状態も不良である場合が多い.的確な外科的処置を行い,長期の厳重な経過観察が必要と思われた.

症例は99歳の女性.主訴は右下肢痛,左乳房腫瘤.平成13年2月22日に突然右下肢痛,蒼白,冷感を認めた.入院時,右ankle brachial pressure index (ABI)は0, CPKは8,606,翌日は11,816と増加し疼痛も増悪したため,緊急手術を施行した.また2年前から左乳房に出血,排膿を繰り返し増大する腫瘤を認めた.右下肢切断術を施行し,術後1日目のCPKは6,188と改善した. 3月8日にはCPKは145と正常範囲内となった.腎不全も併発しなかった.左乳房腫瘤は徐々に自壊し,生検で悪性所見を認めたため, 3月15日に左全乳房切除術を施行した.術後経過良好で3月26日に退院した. 100歳になられた現在も元気に存命である.全身状態,侵襲と根治性,術後QOLを考えて手術適応,術式を決定すれば,超高齢者でも手術の施行は可能であると考えられた.

In Japan, conservation and regeneration projects have been actively conducted for largesized birds such as the Japanese crested ibis, Nipponia Nippon, the oriental white stork, Cico‐ nia boyciana and the intermediate egret, Ardea intermedia (Photo 1) that inhabit rural areas [1, 2]. Many people are highly interested in these projects and a lot of information about growth and breeding for large-sized birds is broadcasted through television, radio and internet me‐ dia. In such a situation, a conspicuous topic has been found in recent months, that is, 2 indi‐ viduals of the Japanese crested ibis displayed beriberi symptom along with human being, because of overeating great favorite food that is the Dojo loach, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus. Their beriberi symptom appeared to be caused by eating the Dojo loach raw. The 2 individu‐ als were diagnosed as follows; this beriberi symptom occurred as vitamin B1 in the individ‐ ual bodies was destroyed by tiaminase enzyme contained in the Dojo loach. At present the two individuals may have completely recovered from the beriberi symptom through vita‐ min B1 supplementation by injection.

右心系の感染性心内膜炎 (IE) を合併した成人の心室中隔欠損症 (VSD) の2例を経験した. 症例1はVSDに肺動脈弁IEを合併し肺動脈弁閉鎖不全を生じた. 炎症は活動期であったが疣贅による肺梗塞を併発したため緊急手術を行った. 肺動脈弁切除とVSDのパッチ閉鎖を行った. 症例2はVSD+心房中隔欠損症 (ASD) に三尖弁IEを合併し三尖弁閉鎖不全を生じた. 炎症の寛解した時点でVSD, およびASDは直接閉鎖, 三尖弁は切除後 Bjork-Shiley 弁で置換した.

Since February 1987, coronary angiography has been performed on 103 patients with aortic and peripheral vascular disease. In this study these patients were evaluated for risk factors and operation procedures. There were 77 patients with arteriosclerosis (ASO), 25 with aneurysm, and one with ASO plus aneurysm. Forty our of 77 ASO patients and 13 out of 25 aneurysm patients had over 50% coronary artery stenosis. The patients with significant coronary diseases had hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM) or 2 of the following factors; smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and DM. CABG was performed on 8 cases prior to operation for vascular disease. Conclusion; The patients with aortic and peripheral vascular disease had a high frequency of coronary artery disease, 52%. The patients with risk factors had a high possibility of coronary artery disease. As a rule, a two-step approach was employed, namely, operation for a peripheral vascular disease was preceded by CABG or PTCA, if it could be indicated.

A 72-year-old man was admitted because of right hypochondralgia. A tumor in the right retroperitoneal space was revealed by abdominal ultrasonography, CT and MRI. Blood pressure was normal (140/86 mmHg) before operation, but during operation, systolic blood pressure suddenly rose to 240 mmHg. At this time, it was suspected that the tumor was an ectopic pheochromocytoma. Histological findings showed pheochromocytoma and bilateral normal adrenal glands were visualized on postoperative131I-adosterol scintigraphy.

To determine whether the anti-inflammatory effects of phenytoin might reduce cardiopulmonary dysfunction we studied the effects of phenytoin treatment on acute lung injury induced by smoke inhalation. Twenty-one chronically instrumented sheep were observed for 24 h after smoke inhalation injury. Myocardial contractility was evaluated by left ventricular end-systolic pressure-diameter relationship (LVESPDR) with a pair of ultrasonic transducers and strain-gauge transducer. In the control group (n = 6), uninjured sheep were given a bolus of phenytoin (12.5 mg/kg). Smoke-insufflated sheep were divided into nontreatment (n = 7) and phenytoin (n = 8) groups. Phenytoin alone had no effects in uninjured sheep except an early rise in heart rate and LVESPDR. In the group given smoke without treatment, there was a significant increase in pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance index and a decrease in cardiac index. Pulmonary vascular changes were attenuated by treatment with phenytoin. Pulmonary transvascular fluid flux was evaluated by using a lung lymph fistula. LVESPDR fell in the smoke group but not in the group given phenytoin. There was a marked increase in lung lymph flow with smoke inhalation but this phenomenon was not affected by phenytoin treatment. In conclusion, phenytoin treatment reduced early hemodynamic depression.

Large ventricular septal defect (VSD) repair has been performed in 43 infants under two years of age. Twostaged repair was done for 11 infants and the primary definitive repair for the remaining 32. One hospital death occured among the 43 infants. Postoperatively, the incidence of cathecolamine dosing was, significantly higher, and a prolonged mechanical ventilation was required in the infants under 12 months (Group I), compared to those over 12 months of age (Group II). Regression of pulmonary hypertension after repair was similarly achieved in the two groups. Complete right bandle block tended to occure more frequently in Group I. Exhocardiographic evaluation of the left ventricular function revealed that left ventricular diastolic dimension and ejection fraction returned within normal limits one or two years after surgical repair in both groups. These data suggest that eraly surgical repair for VSD in the first two years of life is an appropriate surgical treatment where satisfactory clinical results can be expected.