Flash-related synchronization and desynchronization revealed by a multiple band frequency analysis.

The fast Fourier transform (FFT) is a good method to estimate power spectral density (PSD), but the frequency resolution is limited to the sampling window, and thus the precise characteristics of PSD for short signals are not clear. To relax the limitation, a multiple band-pass filter was introduced to estimate the precise course of PSDs for flash visual evoked potentials (VEPs). Signals were recorded during -200 and 600 ms using balanced noncephalic electrodes, and sampled at 1,000 Hz in 12 bits. With 1 Hz and 10 ms resolutions, PSDs were estimated between 10 and 100 Hz. Background powers at the alpha- and beta-bands were high over the posterior scalp, and powers around 200 ms were evoked at the same bands over the same region, corresponding to P110 and N165 of VEPs. Normalized PSDs showed evoked powers around 200 ms and suppressed powers following the evoked powers over the posterior scalp. The evoked powers above the 20 Hz band were not statistically significant, however, the gamma band was significantly evoked intra-individually; details in the gamma bands were varied among the subjects. Details of PSDs were complicated even for a simple task such as watching flashes; both synchronization and desynchronization occurred with different distributions and different time courses.

[X-ray and endoscopic diagnosis of esophageal achalasia].

We evaluated diagnostic X-ray and endoscopic examination findings in 486 patients with esophageal achalasia. Concerning the association between the duration of disease and the X-ray dilatation type, the duration was 1-4 years in more than 50% of patients with the Sp type, a mean of 8.5 years in those with the F type, and frequently more than 10 years in those with the S type. Endoscopy is generally used to determine the presence or absence of abnormal movement. In achalasia, the endoscope can be inserted into the stomach despite resistance at the stenotic site, and the mucosal surface is normal. Squamous cell carcinoma as a complication was observed in 21 patients (4.3%). The carcinoma complication rate was higher with a longer duration of disease and a longer observation period. The mean total course including the postoperative course was 27 years. Long-term and periodic X-ray and endoscopic observation of the disease course is important, and iodine staining is indispensable for early detection of esophageal cancer.

Gastric and non-gastric signals in electrogastrography.

Electrogastrography (EGG) is the cutaneous recording of gastric myoelectrical activity, and the dominant frequency reflects the rhythm of the gastric slow wave. Ambulatory EGG is contaminated with a large amount of motion artifacts, and it is unclear how much of the signals comprising the dominant frequency originates from non-gastric sources. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the pattern of gastric and non-gastric signals in the dominant frequency histogram (DFH) obtained from long-term ambulatory EGG recordings. Ten normal controls and five post-gastrectomy patients participated in the present study. Twenty-four hour ambulatory EGG was recorded under normal daily conditions. The DFH of normal controls showed two distinctive peaks, and that of the post-gastrectomy patients, a single peak. The common peak at approximately 1.5 cpm was seen in both DFHs, and the peak at 3 cpm was seen only in the DFH of normal controls. Thus, the common peak was thought to be a product of non-gastric origin. In conclusion, the dominant frequency consists of gastric and non-gastric components which have a specific distribution pattern in the DFH. These findings quantified the contribution of gastric and non-gastric signals to the dominant frequencies in long-term ambulatory EGG.

Treatment of unresectable hepatic hilar malignancies with self-expanding metallic stents.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study assesses the treatment of biliary obstruction in patients with hilar malignancies by metallic stents. METHODOLOGY: Twenty-one consecutive patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction at the hepatic hilum (Bismuth type II, III and IV) were treated with percutaneous transhepatic placement of self-expandable metallic endoprostheses. The endoprostheses were successfully inserted in all patients. In 12 patients all segments of the liver were drained and in 9 patients partial segments of the liver were drained. RESULTS: Seventeen patients (81%) showed relief from jaundice and could be freed of external drainage tubes. Ten patients (48%) showed no recurrent symptoms due to stent obstruction until death. Overall survival was 4.86+/-4.15 (mean+/-SD) months, stent patency was 3.76+/-3.64 months and comfort index representing a ratio of well-being was 70.5+/-38.3%. There was no significant difference in survival rate, stent patency or comfort index between the groups with complete and those with partial drainage. CONCLUSIONS: Even in patients with complicated hepatic hilar biliary occlusions, internal drainage using metallic stents can relieve jaundice and leave patients free of external tubes with a comfortable quality of life.

A case of classical carcinoid tumor of the gallbladder: review of the Japanese published works.

A 58 year-old man was admitted to Kimitsu Chuo Hospital complaining of epigastralgia. Abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography revealed a polypoid lesion at the neck of the gallbladder. Given the pre-operative diagnosis of gallbladder carcinoma, we resected the gallbladder along with the extrahepatic bile duct. There was a papillary tumor (25 x 16 mm) at the neck of the gallbladder. Histopathological examinations showed a subserosal nodular proliferation of uniform small tumor cells. Grimelius staining was slightly positive and Fontana-Masson staining was negative. Most of the tumor cells stained positively for chromogranin A and neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and some of the tumor cells were positive for pancreatic polypeptide. The presence of neurosecretory intracytoplasmic granules was proven ultrastructurally. It was diagnosed as a classical carcinoid tumor of the gallbladder. We reviewed the Japanese reported cases and discussed the difference in clinicopathological findings between classical and atypical carcinoid tumors of the gallbladder. Classical carcinoids of the gallbladder have neither a metastatic nor invasive character, and an extremely favorable prognosis compared with atypical carcinoids. The difference in character between classical and atypical carcinoids of the gallbladder is thought to be derived from their histogenetic origin.

Effective hepatic artery chemoembolization for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with extensive tumour thrombus through the hepatic vein.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with extensive tumour growth through the hepatic vein still has an extremely poor prognosis, even after cancer chemotherapy and/or transarterial embolization. Although aggressive surgical treatments using extracorporeal circulation and liver transplantation have been performed by some authors, the reported results were still unsatisfactory. In this study, we report the favourable result of hepatic artery chemoembolization and subsequent surgical resection in three patients with advanced HCC with extensive tumour thrombus through the hepatic vein. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three irresectable patients with HCC with extensive tumour thrombus through the hepatic vein underwent hepatic artery chemoembolization with aclarubicin, mitomycin C, lipiodol and/or Gelfoam. After the reduction of tumour extent with hepatic artery chemoembolization, two of the three patients underwent surgical resection. These two patients are still alive at 59 and 21 postoperative months, respectively. In the other case, the extent of the tumour and functional reserve of the liver prevented us from performing surgical resection, but the patient is doing well 62 months after the initial treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic artery chemoembolization with aclarubicin, mitomycin C, lipiodol and/or Gelfoam might be an effective treatment for irresectable advanced HCC with extensive tumour thrombus into the inferior vena cava or the right atrium through the hepatic vein. Radical surgical resection might be applicable for selected patients without high surgical risk after reducing tumour extent by hepatic artery chemoembolization.

Reduced hepatic acute-phase response after simultaneous resection for gastrointestinal cancer with synchronous liver metastases.

Serum cytokines and hepatic acute-phase responses were studied in seven patients undergoing simultaneous resection of primary gastrointestinal cancer and synchronous metastatic liver tumours and in 12 undergoing partial hepatectomy alone for metachronous hepatic metastases. The incidence of postoperative infectious complications was significantly higher after simultaneous resection than after partial hepatectomy alone (P < 0.05). Although the peak interleukin 6 level was significantly higher after simultaneous resection (P < 0.05), plasma levels of acute-phase proteins were significantly lower (P < 0.05). The results suggest that simultaneous resections further reduce the hepatic acute-phase response and render patients liable to infection compared with partial hepatectomy alone, and result in a higher incidence of postoperative infective complications.

A successful treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma with atrial tumor thrombus.

A 66-year-old man with an advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and tumor thrombus extending into the right atrium was treated by transcatheter arterial infusion of lipiodol and aclarubicin. This brought about a remarkable reduction of the tumor and the disappearance of the right atrial tumor thrombus. The tumor was then radically resected by hepatic posterior segmentectomy with combined resection of the right hepatic vein, where the tumor thrombus remained. He is doing well without any signs of recurrence 22 months after the operation.

Increased serum interleukin-6 level and reduction of hepatic acute-phase response after major hepatectomy.

It has been proposed that a major hepatectomy impairs the liver-related host defense mechanism. The changes in the levels of serum inflammatory cytokines and plasma acute-phase proteins synthesized in the liver were measured after partial hepatectomy. Peak levels of serum interleukin-6 were significantly higher after extended lobectomy than after lobectomy or segmentectomy (p < 0.01). Serum interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels showed no significant changes. Plasma levels of acute-phase proteins were significantly lower after lobectomy or extended lobectomy (p < 0.05). A reduced hepatic acute-phase response probably renders patients liable to infection after major hepatectomy.

Reduced hepatic functional reserve in cirrhosis and obstructive jaundice with special reference to histological morphometric analysis and galactose elimination capacity.

To evaluate liver dysfunction in patients with obstructive jaundice (OJ), morphological and functional hepatic mass was analyzed in comparison with cirrhosis (LC). Total hepatic parenchymal ratio (THPR) was estimated by morphometric analysis and hepatic functional mass by galactose tolerance test (GaTT) in 30 patients who underwent hepatectomy. The value of GaTT in patients with LC was remarkably depressed compared to those with normal liver function (p < 0.001). It was also depressed in OJ (p < 0.05 vs. normal liver), but less than in LC (p < 0.05). However, THPR decreased only in LC (p < 0.05 vs. either normal liver or OJ). A significant correlation between the value of GaTT and THPR was revealed in patients with LC, but not in OJ. These results suggested that liver dysfunction in OJ was independent of the decreased number of hepatocytes, differing from LC.

Increased levels of human hepatocyte growth factor in serum and peritoneal fluid after partial hepatectomy.

OBJECTIVE/METHOD: It has been reported that inflammatory cytokines up-regulate human hepatocyte growth factor synthesis in vitro. To demonstrate the relation of this growth factor to interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha, the changes in the levels of these cytokines were measured in serum and peritoneal fluid in 22 patients after partial hepatectomy. RESULTS: Serum and fluids levels of cytokines showed a maximum within 3 days after surgery. Cytokines concentrations were much higher in fluid than in serum (p < 0.05). The maximum serum levels of human hepatocyte growth factor were significantly correlated with those of interleukin-6, intraoperative blood loss, and operating time (p < 0.05) but not resected liver weights. In fluid level, the growth factor was also correlated with interleukin-6 (p < 0.05) but with tumor necrosis factor alpha. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that human hepatocyte growth factor might be locally produced in the injured tissue associated with interleukin-6 and independently of resected liver weights.

Handedness trends across age groups in a Japanese sample of 2316.

Hand-preference data of 2316 Japanese were analyzed by age groups, sex, and familial sinistrality. Right-hand preference increased across age groups at least up to 30 years for men, while women showed relatively stable and stronger preference for right-hand use. Unlike some Western studies, no linear trends across age groups were found for both sexes. Declining cultural censorship against left-handedness would not be responsible for the trends, since there was no evidence indicating such a decline in Japan. Hypotheses of reduced longevity and life-long adaptation to the right-handed world are not satisfactory either, since both hypotheses assume a linear trend spanning the entire life span. Thus, it seems that a single-factor hypothesis which explains all the results by resorting to a single cause does not account for the complex results found in this and other studies.

[Intraportal infusion of 5-FU and lipiodol-aclarubicin after hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastasis].

Fifty-five patients with hepatic metastasis from colorectal cancer underwent curative hepatic resection. Postoperative intraportal infusion of 5-fluorouracil (500mg per day) for 14 days from 21 postoperative days (POD) and lipiodol-aclarubicin (40mg) at 35 POD was carried out in twenty-eight patients for reducing the recurrence in the remnant liver and improving the prognosis. Twenty-seven patients had hepatectomy alone as controls. Intraportal infusion chemotherapy did not induce any hepatotoxicity and hematologic severe abnormalities. The cumulative survival rates for the infusion group and the control group, respectively, were 89.3% and 63.0% at 1 year; 55.2% and 43.3% at 2 year; 27.0% and 27.5% at 3 year. The survival rate for the infusion group was significantly higher than that for the control group at 1 year (p < 0.05). No difference of the recurrent rate in the remnant liver was found between the two groups. It is suggested that intraportal infusion chemotherapy after curative hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastasis might improve survival rate at the early postoperative period. Intraportal infusion chemotherapy could be an effective adjuvant therapy especially in the patients with bilateral and multiple hepatic metastasis.

Inhibition of hepatic regeneration after 70% partial hepatectomy by simultaneous resection of the bowel in rats.

This study was aimed to evaluate bow simultaneous resection of the bowel influences hepatic regeneration after partial hepatectomy (HTX). Two hundred and sixty-four rats underwent 70% partial HTX, ileocecal resection (ICR), transverse colon resection (TR), colon amputation and simulatenous resection of the liver and the bowel (HTX+ICR, HTX+TR). Hepatic DNA synthesis was remarkably suppressed by simultaneous resection compared with the 70% HTX group (p < 0.01). In simultaneous resection groups, delayed enhanced hepatic protein synthesis (HPS) was observed after the operation as compared with the 70% HTX group, which showed an early postoperative peak of HPS. Postoperative anastomosis leakage occurred more frequently and survival rates were significantly lower in simultaneous resection groups. Higher plasma endotoxin levels of the portal and the peripheral veins were found in simultaneous resection groups as compared with other groups (p < 0.01-0.001). This study suggested that simultaneous resection of the bowel with partial HTX might inhibit hepatic regeneration and result in the increased risk of anastomosis leakage and high surgical mortality rate by increased plasma endotoxin levels and delayed enhanced HPS.

Significance of aminopyrine breath test as a parameter of hepatic functional reserve in 40% partial hepatectomy of rats with CCl4-induced liver injury.

Rats with CCl4-induced liver injury underwent partial (40%) hepatectomy. The [14C]aminopyrine breath test (ABT) values in rats with CCl4-induced liver injury were reduced by 34% compared with those in rats with normal liver. Preoperative ABT values clearly discriminated between survivors and those that died following 40% partial hepatectomy in rats CCl4-induced liver injury (P < 0.05). Hepatic protein synthesis was remarkably enhanced in CCl4-induced liver injury compared with normal liver (P < 0.001), and this was inversely correlated with ABT values (P < 0.001). These data show that the enhanced hepatic protein synthesis could induce a decrease of hepatic functional reserve. ABT seems to be a useful preoperative test for predicting surgical mortality following hepatectomy.

Partial splenic embolization for the treatment of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of partial splenic embolization in the treatment of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura underwent partial splenic embolization and were followed up for 6-61 months. The condition was refractory to steroids in 20 of 26 patients. The other six patients, in whom a response to steroids was shown, could not be withdrawn from steroid therapy because their platelet counts decreased with any decrease in steroid dose. Five of 26 patients underwent splenectomy after partial splenic embolization, and the other patients were followed up without medical treatment until platelet counts decreased below 3 x 10(10)/l. The therapeutic effect of partial splenic embolization was defined on the basis of the platelet count at the last follow-up after partial splenic embolization: complete response, greater than 10 x 10(10)/l; partial response, 5 x 10(10)/l to 10 x 10(10)/l; and no response, less than 5 x 10(10)/l without medication. RESULTS: Partial splenic embolization brought a complete response in seven (33%) of 21 patients, a partial response in eight (38%), and no response in six (29%). In four of five patients, who later underwent splenectomy, response to partial splenic embolization was coincident with the response to splenectomy. No serious complications occurred, but minor complications such as abdominal pain, fever, and nausea were observed in most patients. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that partial splenic embolization might be useful as an alternative to splenectomy in the treatment of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

[Hepatic protein synthesis in regenerating liver after partial hepatectomy].

The process of hepatic protein synthesis was studied in the regenerating liver after partial hepatectomy (HTX). Hepatocellular protein synthesis (HPS) and secretory protein synthesis (SPS) were determined in the regenerating liver of rats after 68% HTX. The serum levels of the following items were determined in 10 patients before and after HTX: interleukin-6 (IL-6), acute-phase proteins (APP), and negative acute-phase proteins (NAPP). HPS has markedly increased after HTX, with the peak occurring at 48 hours. The regenerating rat liver showed an increase of 80% over normal livers in HPS and 200% in SPS 48 hours after HTX. A remarkable increase in IL-6 levels occurred on the first day after HTX. In all patients transient falls in APP levels occurred on the first day. Values appeared to return rapidly toward preoperative values by 3 or 5 days after HTX but failed to show any significant increase compared to preoperative values. In contrast to APP, prolonged decreases in NAPP levels occurred after HTX. Values declined to a nadir on the first or third day after HTX and remained suppressed for 14 days. These results suggest that the production of APP is activated at an early stage of liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy.

Enhancement of cytotoxicity of doxorubicin by verapamil in the hepatic artery infusion for liver tumors in rats.

BACKGROUND: The calcium channel blocker has been demonstrated to be effective in the accumulation and retention of chemotherapeutic agents in tumor cells. METHODS: The effect of verapamil on cytotoxicity of doxorubicin was investigated in a hepatic artery infusion (HAI) for liver tumors of Walker 256 carcinosarcoma in rats. Doxorubicin was infused by way of a hepatic artery by a bolus injection intra-arterially (IA) (1 mg/kg) and a continuous infusion intra-arterially (CIA) (6 mg/kg/day for 6 days). RESULTS: Doxorubicin increased 90% and 66% in tumor tissue following HAI of verapamil by a bolus and continuous infusion (P < 0.05), respectively. However, no enhancement of the accumulation of doxorubicin in the tumor tissue was found in an intravenous administration of verapamil. The CIA infusion of verapamil with doxorubicin inhibited the tumor growth by 73% in comparison with doxorubicin only (P < 0.05). Verapamil administered intravenously (IV) could not induce this inhibitory effect. The CIA administration of verapamil reduced the serum concentration by 45% (P < 0.001) in comparison with the CIV route. Furthermore, the administration of verapamil did not increase the accumulation of doxorubicin in the normal liver and heart tissues. No enhancement of bone marrow suppression and hepatic biochemical influence by doxorubicin was revealed by the concomitant use of verapamil. CONCLUSIONS: The continuous HAI of verapamil remarkably enhanced the cytotoxicity of HAI with doxorubicin for the treatment of hepatic tumor without aggravating the side effects induced by doxorubicin.

[Type IV collagenase activities in human colorectal cancers and its role in cancer invasion and metastasis].

In 36 patients with colorectal cancers, type IV collagenase activities were measured in cancer and non-cancer tissues for evaluating its role in the process of cancer invasion and metastasis. The colorectal cancer tissues revealed remarkably higher activities than the distant normal and tumor-neighboring mucosa (p < 0.001). The activities in the colorectal cancer tissues with high-grade histological venous invasion were higher than those with low-grade histological venous invasion (p < 0.005). But no differences of the activities were found between patients with and without hepatic metastasis. These results suggest that the type IV collagenase plays an important role in the cancer invasion to the blood vessels around the primary site in colorectal cancers.