Effects of eccentric jaw exercise on temporal summation in jaw-closing muscles of healthy subjects.

Eccentric jaw exercises has been known to cause muscle soreness but no studies have so far examined to what extent temporal summation mechanisms within the exercised muscles are changed. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of an eccentric biting exercise on the temporal summation, mechanical pressure sensitivity and jaw muscle activity. A total of 15 healthy men participated in a two-session-experiment: In one session, they performed 30 min controlled eccentric jaw exercise and the other session served as a no-exercise control. Soreness sensations at rest and during maximal biting, pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) and electromyographic (EMG) activity during maximal jaw biting were recorded before (baseline), immediately after (Post-task), and 1 day after the exercise (1-day-after). The temporal summation ratio using intra-muscular electrical stimulation of the masseter was investigated at baseline and at 1-day-after. The eccentric jaw exercise was associated with significant increases in soreness sensation and decreased PPTs at Post-task and at 1-day-after. The EMG activity and biting force did not change. The summation ratio was significantly decreased at 1-day-after in both sessions. The present findings demonstrate that eccentric jaw exercise does not induce detectable changes in temporal summation. However, the summation ratio may have clinical utility to differentiate the location of sensitization.

[Case of phlegmonous esophagogastritis associated with hypopharyngeal abscess].

A 62-year-old man was admitted to our hospital complaining of sore throat and epigastralgia. Laboratory tests revealed leukocytosis and an elevated CRP level. CT showed a low density area in the right hypopharynx, wall thickening of the esophageal and gastric wall with an intramural low density area. Phlegmonous esophagogastritis associated with hypopharyngeal abscess was diagnosed. The infection was extension and his condition was serious because of his accompanying poorly controlled diabetes. He was successfully treated by antibiotics and drainage of the hypopharyngeal abscess. CT was useful for early diagnosis, confirmation of the extent of inflammation and follow-up.

Twenty-four hour intra-arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, and leucovorin is more effective than 6-hour infusion for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIM: To evaluate the time dependence of intra-arterial 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC). METHODS: Thirty-seven adult Japanese patients who had aHCC and liver cirrhosis were treated with combined intra-arterial 5-FU, cisplatin (CDDP), and leucovorin (LV). The Japan Integrated Staging score (JIS score) of each patient was 3 or more. The patients were divided into two groups, after which the 15 patients in group S were treated with 6-h infusion chemotherapy (LV at 12 mg/h, CDDP at 10 mg/h, and 5-FU at 250 mg/m2 per 4 h) and the 22 patients in group L were treated with 24-h infusion chemotherapy (LV at 12 mg/h, CDDP at 10 mg/h, and 5-FU at 250 mg/ m2 per 22 h). Continuous infusion chemotherapy was performed via the proper hepatic artery every 5 d for 4 wk using an implanted drug reservoir. RESULTS: The percentages of patients with a partial response after 4 wk of chemotherapy were 6.7% in group S and 31.8% in group L. The survival of group L was significantly better than that of group S, with the median survival time being 496 d in group L and 226 d in group S (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Continuous 24-h intra-arterial infusion is more effective for aHCC and can markedly prolong survival time as compared to 6-h infusion.