Recumbent cycling with integrated volitional control electrical stimulation improves gait speed during the recovery stage in stroke patients.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of recumbent cycling with integrated volitional control electrical stimulation (IVES) on gait ability in stroke patients. Six stroke patients (all male; average age, 55.7±8.3 years) participated. Recumbent cycling (R-cycling) was performed with and without IVES in the power assist (IVES-P) mode. The targeted muscle for electrostimulation was the tibialis anterior. Patients performed 10 min of IVES-P mode plus R-cycling (program A) or R-cycling alone (program B), once per day, 5 times per week. Patients completed two sets of each program, alternating between programs each week. Gait speed and the number of steps numbers on a 10-m walking test was assessed before and after each interventional session. Program A improved gait speed, but not the number of steps, to a greater extent than that in program B. Specifically, the combined intervention significantly improved gait speed in the first set, but not the second set of the intervention. R-cycling with IVES-P mode improved gait speed during the recovery stage in stroke patients to a greater extent than that achieved with R-cycling alone. Thus, this combined therapy has potential as a standardized treatment in the field of rehabilitation medicine.

Pictorial review of orthotopic neobladder reconstruction: indication, normal postsurgical anatomy, and complications.

Radical cystectomy with urinary diversion is a common urological procedure performed for the treatment of bladder cancer. Numerous surgical procedures have been developed for urinary diversion. Over the past decade, orthotopic neobladder reconstruction has been used frequently for urinary diversion because of its advantageousness in providing patients with a good quality of life compared with other urinary diversion technique. Knowledge of the indication, surgical procedure, and postsurgical anatomy of orthotopic neobladder reconstruction is essential. While the technique has many advantages, multiple postsurgical complications may occur after reconstruction, including urine leakage, bowel obstruction and fluid collection (lymphocele, urinoma, hematoma, and abscess), neobladder rupture, vesicoureteral reflux, hydronephrosis, urinary tract infection, urinary calculi, abdominal incisional hernia, bowel obstruction, intraneobladder tumor, and tumor recurrence. Radiological imaging including multiple modalities such as intravenous urography, cystography, CT, and MRI plays an important role in the postoperative evaluation of patients with orthotopic neobladder reconstruction and is an accurate method for evaluating complications. In addition, knowledge of appearances on multimodal imaging helps clinicians to select the modality required to achieve an accurate diagnosis of each complication and avoid misdiagnosis.

Intraoperative Fluorescence Imaging for Detection of Sentinel Lymph Nodes and Lymphatic Vessels during Open Prostatectomy using Indocyanine Green.

PURPOSE: We investigated the feasibility and validity of intraoperative fluorescence imaging using indocyanine green for the detection of sentinel lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels during open prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Indocyanine green was injected into the prostate under transrectal ultrasound guidance just before surgery. Intraoperative fluorescence imaging was performed using a near-infrared camera system in 66 consecutive patients with clinically localized prostate cancer after a 10-patient pilot test to optimize indocyanine green dosing, observation timing and injection method. Lymphatic vessels were visualized and followed to identify the sentinel lymph nodes. Confirmatory pelvic lymph node dissection including all fluorescent nodes and open radical prostatectomy were performed in all patients. RESULTS: Lymphatic vessels were successfully visualized in 65 patients (98%) and sentinel lymph nodes in 64 patients (97%). Sentinel lymph nodes were located in the obturator fossa, internal and external iliac regions, and rarely in the common iliac and presacral regions. A median of 4 sentinel lymph nodes per patient was detected. Three lymphatic pathways, the paravesical, internal and lateral routes, were identified. Pathological examination revealed metastases to 9 sentinel lymph nodes in 6 patients (9%). All pathologically positive lymph nodes were detected as sentinel lymph nodes using this imaging. No adverse reactions due to the use of indocyanine green were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative fluorescence imaging using indocyanine green during open prostatectomy enables the detection of lymphatic vessels and sentinel lymph nodes with high sensitivity. This novel method is technically feasible, safe and easy to apply with minimal additional operative time.

Complete nucleotide sequence of the IncN plasmid encoding IMP-6 and CTX-M-2 from emerging carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Japan.

We have determined the DNA sequence of Klebsiella pneumoniae multidrug resistance plasmid pKPI-6, which is a self-transmissible IncN-type plasmid. pKPI-6 harboring blaIMP-6 and blaCTX-M-2 confers a stealth-type carbapenem resistance phenotype on members of the family Enterobacteriaceae that is not detectable with imipenem. pKPI-6 is already epidemic in Japan, favoring the dissemination of IMP-6 and CTX-M-2 in members of the family Enterobacteriaceae.

Gender as a significant predictor of intravesical recurrence in patients with urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract following nephroureterectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively assess the significance of gender as a predictor of intravesical recurrence following nephroureterectomy for urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (UC-UUT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 502 consecutive patients (360 male and 142 female) who were diagnosed as having clinically localized UC-UUT and underwent nephroureterectomy. Clinicopathologic outcomes of these patients were analyzed focusing on the impact of gender. RESULTS: The incidence of intravesical recurrence in male patients (41.9%) was significantly greater than that in female patients (27.5%). Despite the lack of significant differences in cancer-specific and overall survivals with respect to gender, the intravesical recurrence-free survival in male patients was significantly worse than that in female patients. Of several parameters examined, univariate analysis identified gender, tumor site, and tumor focality as significant predictors of intravesical recurrence following nephroureterectomy. Of these, only gender and tumor site appeared to be independently associated with intravesical recurrence-free survival on multivariate analysis. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in intravesical recurrence-free survival according to positive numbers of these two independent factors; that is, intravesical recurrence occurred in 12 of 55 patients who were negative for both risk factors (21.8%), 96 of 280 positive for a single risk factor (34.3%), and 82 of 167 positive for both risk factors (49.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of intravesical recurrence following nephroureterectomy for UC-UUT is comparatively high. Therefore, it would be potentially important to perform careful follow-up targeting intravesical recurrence for such patients, particularly for male patients and/or patients with tumor located at the ureter.

Analysis of isolated bacteria and short-term antimicrobial prophylaxis with tazobactam-piperacillin (1:4 ratio) for prevention of postoperative infections after radical cystectomy.

Radical cystectomy is associated with the highest morbidity and mortality of all commonly performed urological cancer treatment procedures. Postoperative infection remains a major problem. We herein report the results of an open prospective study involving radical cystectomies, undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of 0.5/2 g tazobactam-piperacillin (TAZ-PIPC) in the prevention of postoperative infectious complications. Antimicrobial prophylaxis was performed using 0.5/2 g TAZ-PIPC (2.5 g i.v.) every 3 h during surgery and then twice a day for 3 days postoperatively. The patients were monitored to detect any postoperative infections. During surgery, irrigation fluid from the total abdominal cavity was taken for bacterial culture just before closing the abdomen. Surveillance cultures of drain discharge and urine from ureteral stents were also performed. Other samples were taken for bacterial culture when an infection was suspected. The total postoperative bacterial infection rate was 20.0% (7/35), and surgical site infection rate was 5.7% (2/35). These rates are lower than those documented in other studies. This study, even though open and noncomparative, showed that a short-interval regimen containing 0.5/2 g TAZ-PIPC provides adequate antimicrobial prophylaxis in patients undergoing radical cystectomy.

The impact of decreasing urinary IgA levels on decreased bacteriuria in a rat model of ileal augmented bladder.

PURPOSE: Bacteriuria is frequently observed in patients with urinary tract reconstruction using intestinal segments. These patients have higher urinary IgA levels than those with a normal bladder. We examined the relationship between bacterial adherence and urinary IgA in a rat ileal augmented bladder model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rat ileal augmented bladder models were divided into groups 3 months and 1 year after surgery. Experimental cystitis was induced in the 2 groups by transurethral inoculation of Escherichia coli. At 14 days after inoculation the rats were sacrificed, and cfu/mg tissue of the bladder and ileal patch was measured. Rats with negative urine culture in the 2 groups were sacrificed, and urine specimens and augmented bladder tissue were collected. Urinary IgA levels were determined and immunohistochemistry staining of the tissue was done with anti-rat IgA antibody. RESULTS: In rats with experimental cystitis E. coli significantly adhered to the bladder and ileal patch in the 3-month group but not in the 1-year group. Urinary IgA levels in the 3-month group were significantly higher than in the 1-year group. On immunohistochemistry the number of IgA immunoreactive cells in the ileal patch decreased in the 1-year group compared to that in the 3-month group. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that increased urinary IgA may be the cause of the higher incidence of bacteriuria in patients with urinary reconstruction using intestinal segments. Therefore, the decrease in IgA production in the inserted intestinal segments may contribute to a spontaneous decrease in of bacteriuria with time.

Retroperitoneal abscess perforating into the thoracic cavity in an immunocompromised host.

A 71-year-old man with a retroperitoneal abscess caused by a ureteral stone was successfully treated by retroperitoneal drainage. He was considered to be at high risk of infection because of his bedridden state (resulting from a post-cerebral infarction and malignant rheumatoid disease) and steroid administration for the rheumatoid disease. He also had an empyema adjacent to the retroperitoneal abscess. This was thought to be separate from the retroperitoneal abscess because it did not resolve after the retroperitoneal drainage. Thoracic cavity drainage was undertaken, after which the empyema disappeared. The drainage fluid contained pus, similar to the fluid from the retroperitoneal drainage. Escherichia coli organisms were cultured from both drainage fluids. There were no signs of recurrence on computed tomography (CT) imaging. In conclusion, we report a case of retroperitoneal abscess perforating into the thorax, successfully treated by retroperitoneal and thoracic cavity drainage in an immunocompromised host. CT was a very effective imaging modality for this diagnosis, and we recommend early drainage of abscess in immunocompromised patients.

Significance of fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli in urinary tract infections.

Antibiotic-resistant urinary tract infections (UTIs) are on the rise. We investigated the recent emergence of representative resistant strains in patients diagnosed with UTIs at Kobe University Hospital between 2000 and 2006, focusing on resistant strains isolated from the urine of UTI patients, especially fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli (FQRE), multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDRP), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). We found 16 MDRP, 108 FQRE, and 251 MRSA UTI cases, reflecting a significant increase in the incidence of FQRE. Our data demonstrated that isolated ratios of FQRE rose as much as 26.3% in 2006 and that there were significantly more isolated cases in 2003 - 2006 than in 2000 - 2002. The data show a significant trend toward FQRE emergence. This trend should be considered when treating UTI.

Levofloxacin resistant Escherichia coli sepsis following an ultrasound-guided transrectal prostate biopsy: report of four cases and review of the literature.

Fluoroquinolones are the most commonly used prophylactic antimicrobials for ultrasound-guided transrectal prostate biopsy due to their broad pathogen spectrum, pharmacokinetics, bioavailability and ease of oral administration. However, although Escherichia. coli (E. coli) is the most common pathogen associated with infections after transrectal prostate biopsy, the prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistant strains of E. coli is increasing. Levofloxacin resistant E. coli sepsis occurred in four (0.6%) of 665 patients who received oral levofloxacin prophylaxis and underwent transrectal prostate biopsy from July 2002 to December 2006 in this institute. All patients had obstructions of the lower urinary tract and three of the four had a history of previous use of quinolones. Although two of the four patients developed septic shock, all of the patients were treated with carbapenems immediately and made a complete recovery. Since a case of multiresistant E. coli sepsis and fatal anaerobic sepsis after transrectal prostate biopsy had been reported, intravenous carbapenem is recommended as antimicrobial therapy for sepsis after transrectal prostate biopsy.

Usefulness and problems of the urinary tract infection criteria for evaluating drug efficacy for complicated urinary tract infections.

We aimed to reveal the usefulness of and problematic points with the Criteria for evaluation of clinical efficacy of antimicrobial agents on urinary tract infection (draft fourth edition) proposed by the UTI Subcommittee of the Clinical Evaluation Guidelines Committee, Japan Society of Chemotherapy, for evaluating antimicrobial agents for complicated urinary tract infections. We conducted a multicenter trial involving 159 patients with complicated urinary tract infections without indwelling urinary catheters. The antimicrobial agents used were cefcapene pivoxil and levofloxacin. "Early evaluation" took place the day after completion of 7 days of therapy; "late evaluation" took place 5-9 days after the end of treatment, and "follow-up evaluation" was done 4-6 weeks after treatment. In the early evaluation, overall clinical efficacy was judged as excellent in 52.9% of the patients, moderate in 26.1%, and poor in 21.0%, and the bacteriological response was judged as "eradicated" for 86.4% of the 198 bacterial strains isolated. Of 96 patients included in the "late evaluation" category in accordance with the draft fourth edition, the clinical outcome was judged as "cured" in 68.4% and the microbiological outcome was judged as "eradicated" in 59.4%. These rates may be low, because 25 patients in whom clinical efficacy was evaluated as "poor" at the end of treatment were separately classified as "failed" at the late evaluation. Of the 49 patients with an excellent clinical response at the end of treatment, symptoms were exacerbated in 18 at the follow-up evaluation. Overall, the draft fourth edition, with some modifications of the third edition criteria, such as the addition of a follow-up evaluation 7 days after the cessation of drug administration, has the potential to play a role in the international standards for evaluating antimicrobial drug efficacy for complicated urinary tract infections.

Clinical study of complicated urinary tract infection using 'The UTI Criteria (Draft Fourth Edition)': measurement methods for pyuria.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influences the change of the measurement method of pyuria from conventional centrifuged sediment to microchamber uncentrifuged urine for the results of evaluation of antimicrobial agents in clinical study against complicated urinary tract infections. From the viewpoint of international harmonization of judgement criteria, the recent method for counting white blood cells (WBC) in urine has changed from using uncentrifuged urine to using a microchamber in all countries. METHODS: Targeted diseases were non-catheterized complicated urinary tract infection, and cefcapene pivoxil hydrochloride or levofloxacin were used as antimicrobial drug. Pyuria was examined using the counting chamber method, a quantitative method using uncentrifuged urine with a microchamber, and the sedimentation method. RESULTS: Overall clinical efficacy in early evaluation by the two methods in measuring pyuria was evaluated as different in eight patients (7.3%). It was rated excellent in 63 (52.9%), moderate in 32 patients (26.9%) and poor in 24 (20.2%) with an efficacy rate of 79.8% using the counting chamber method, and excellent in 68 (57.1%), moderate in 27 (22.7%) and poor in 24 (20.2%) with an efficacy rate of 79.8% using the conventional sedimentation method CONCLUSION: No significant difference was seen between the two methods of WBC count in urine.

A case of Sweet's syndrome following septic pulmonary emboli after high-dose chemotherapy for advanced testicular cancer.

A 33-year-old man with advanced testicular cancer underwent high-dose chemotherapy combined with peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. After administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), multiple infiltrative erythema was identified on the face, thigh, and lower leg. A dermatologist diagnosed this as Sweet's syndrome caused by G-CSF; consequently G-CSF administration was stopped. When the skin lesions had improved, phlebitis was found at the injection site of the peripheral vein catheter. The patient then suffered from sudden left chest pain and dyspnea. Chest computed tomography showed the characteristic findings of septic pulmonary emboli (SPE). He was treated by the administration of vancomycin, fluconazole, and pazufloxacin mesilate. Although Sweet's syndrome and SPE are rare diseases, the presence of these diseases must be considered when performing chemotherapy for urological malignancy.

[A case of retroperitoneal malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor in a patient with neurofibromatosis].

We report a case of retroperitoneal malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) in a patient with neurofibromatosis 1. A 42-year-old woman was admitted because of a palpable left abdominal mass. Her mother, son, and daughter had neurofibromatosis 1. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 73 x 76 mm retroperitoneal mass. We performed complete resection of the tumor, confirming the margin status by frozen section examination intraoperatively. The histopathological examination revealed MPNST. Although no further therapy was performed, she is alive with no evidence of disease 11 months after surgery.