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Volume 209 (2006)
- Issue 4 Pages 277-
- Issue 3 Pages 169-
- Issue 2 Pages 75-
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Volume 209, Issue 4
August
Displaying 1-13 of 13 articles from this issue
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Regular Contributions
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Hiroshi Chisaka, Kiyoshi Ito, Hitoshi Niikura, Jun-ichi Sugawara, Tada ...2006 Volume 209 Issue 4 Pages 277-283
Published: 2006
Released on J-STAGE: July 25, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSParvovirus B19 is a small DNA virus. Infection with parvovirus B19 during pregnancy may cause serious complications in the fetus, including hydrops fetalis and fetal death. The purpose of the present study is to clarify the clinical manifestations and outcomes of parvovirus B19 infection during pregnancy. This prospective study enrolled 478 women with suspected B19 infections during pregnancy between 1999 and 2004. One hundred cases (21%) of B19 infection were detected in 478 pregnant women who had been exposed to B19. Serological infection was confirmed by measurement of B19-specific IgM and IgG in sera. Forty-nine cases reported maternal clinical symptoms and 51 cases were asymptomatic. Facial rash was the most common symptom, with 51% (25/49) of the symptomatic patients complaining of either a facial, body or limb rash. The most common infectious source was children living in the home. Overall, the incidence of adverse fetal effects (including hydrops fetalis and fetal death) related to intrauterine B19 infection was 7% (7/100), and all seven cases were exposed to B19 infection before 20 weeks of gestation. Although half of the cases with parvovirus B19 infections during pregnancy were asymptomatic, patients with adverse fetal effects tended to be symptomatic including rash and fever. These clinical data may supply useful information to produce clinical guidelines for managing B19 infection during pregnancy.View full abstractDownload PDF (406K) -
Atila Bitigen, Muhsin Türkmen, Osman Karakaya, Mustafa Saglam, Ir ...2006 Volume 209 Issue 4 Pages 285-289
Published: 2006
Released on J-STAGE: July 25, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSIt has been suggested that successful percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) decreases the intensity of spontaneous left atrial contrast, reduces the size of the left atrium, and improves left atrial function in patient with mitral stenosis. However, left atrial mechanical functions immediately after PMV have not been extensively evaluated yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of PMV on left atrial mechanical functions. Twenty patients with critical mitral stenosis who have normal sinus rhythm (male/female: 4 to 16; mean age: 33 ± 8 years) were included in the study. Left atrial mechanical functions were evaluated before and after PMV, including left atrial passive emptying volume, LA passive emptying fraction, conduit volume, left ventricular stroke volume, LA active emptying volume, LA active emptying fraction, LA total emptying volume and LA total emptying fraction. PMV resulted in a significant increase in the mitral valve area (p < 0.001) and a substantial reduction in the mean transmitral pressure gradient (p < 0.001) as well as LA diameter (p < 0.002). LA maximal volume, minimal volume and atrial presystolic volumes were significantly decreased after PMV (p: 0.001; p: 0.002; p: 0.001, respectively). The conduit volume was increased and LA total emptying volume was decreased after PMV (p: 0.014; p: 0.035). The other left atrial volumes were not altered after PMV. The early increase in conduit volume and the decrease in left atrial presystolic volume indicate that PMV has favorable effects on atrial reservoir and conduit functions. PMV therefore improves atrial mechanic functions.View full abstractDownload PDF (231K) -
E. Didem Evci, Filiz Ergin, Erdal Beser2006 Volume 209 Issue 4 Pages 291-301
Published: 2006
Released on J-STAGE: July 25, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSHouses may accommodate environmental barriers that pose a risk for older people. This study aimed to identify the main characteristics of the dwellings of the elderly, and to assess the impact of those on home accidents. In that cross-sectional study, 3,277 people over 60 years of age living in Aydin province of Turkey were evaluated in December 2004, using a questionnaire and a home safety check list. The results indicated that 38.6% of the elderly have had any type of home accident within the last 12 months, and the most common type of accident was falls (31.9% of all accidents). Possible causes of accidents were analyzed and the houses were graded based on two different types of safety point scales (SP): SP1 for “house characteristics” and SP2 for “personal opinions.” According to SP1, 22.7% of the houses were defined as in poor condition while this percentage was 20.1% according to SP2. Poor housing conditions, being female, living alone, having a chronic illness, physical and hearing disability, wearing eyeglasses, inactivity, use of assistive devices and more than four drugs were found to be associated with having a home accident. The environmental hazards and factors contributing to accidents or injuries were well-known. However, the information about home accidents in the elderly and the impact of dwelling characteristics was limited. This study was considered to be helpful to provide a new perspective on this subject. More studies are needed using the home safety check lists to collect additional quantitative data.View full abstractDownload PDF (541K) -
Motoaki Yoshida, Tomomi Sakai2006 Volume 209 Issue 4 Pages 303-310
Published: 2006
Released on J-STAGE: July 25, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSKindling phenomenon (an experimental model of acquired epilepsy) and long-term potentiation (LTP) have many features in common. LTP is associated with an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration where intracellular Ca2+ stores play an important role. Dantrolene has an inhibitory action against Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ stores. This substance has been reported to inhibit the induction of LTP. We investigated whether or not the development of kindling would be inhibited by dantrolene. We first determined at the right amygdala afterdischarge threshold (ADT) that is the minimal electric current necessary to evoke afterdischarge. For investigating the effects of dantrolene on the development of kindling, rats were stimulated once daily at the right amygdala with a current, 10% larger than ADT, one hour after either dantrolene or vehicle had been injected intraperitoneally. We observed daily the progress of both intensities of behavioral seizures (stages of seizures) and the duration of afterdischarge. Dantrolene significantly delayed both the progression of kindling stages and the elongation of afterdischarge duration at a dose of 10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg, as compared with control vehicle. To investigate the effects of dantrolene on seizures in already kindled rats, we determined generalized seizure threshold (GST) that is the minimum electric current necessary to evoke generalized seizures in fully kindled rats. Rats were stimulated at a current, 10% larger than GST, one hour after treated with the drug or vehicle. Dantrolene showed no anticonvulsant action against either the stages of seizures or afterdischarge durations in fully kindled rats. Therefore, the inhibitory effect of dantrolene on the acquisition of kindling was not attributed to an anticonvulsant action. These results suggest that the prevention of kindling acquisition is associated with an inhibitory action of dantrolene on calcium-induced calcium release from intracellular Ca2+ stores.View full abstractDownload PDF (1248K) -
Sukrucan H. Baytan, Mehmet Alkanat, Mehmet Ozeren, Murat Ekinci, Ahmet ...2006 Volume 209 Issue 4 Pages 311-320
Published: 2006
Released on J-STAGE: July 25, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSStatins, inhibitors of cholesterol synthesis for treating dyslipidemia and preventing cardiovascular complications, have been shown to alter central nervous system functions. Our aim was to investigate the effects of the fluvastatin, a member of statin family, on psychomotor performance, daily activity and spatial memory. Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with fluvastatin (n = 8) or placebo as a control (n = 11) regardless of sex. Fluvastatin (7.5 mg/kg) was administered orally once a day for four weeks, while the control group was administered only placebo. Psychomotor performance was measured by rotarod tests. No significant difference was observed in the fluvastatin group over the course of weeks, but the control group preferred to stay on the device shorter times (p < 0.05). For the first three weeks of the drug administration there was a statistical difference between the groups, however no difference was found after the 4th week. There was no difference in the Barnes maze spatial memory test between the groups and also within the groups over the course of time. Daily activity tests revealed that stereotypical and vertical movements of the fluvastatin group were significantly less than the control group in all four weeks. Ambulatory movements and the distances taken by the fluvastatin group were decreased significantly over the course of time (p < 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively), but the control group did not reveal any significant change. Our results suggest that fluvastatin altered psychomotor performance and daily activity in rats, but it did not affect the spatial memory. These behavioral changes might be associated with alterations in the composition of the brain lipids caused by fluvastatin.View full abstractDownload PDF (373K) -
Teyfik Turgut, Handan Akbulut, Figen Deveci, Canan Kacar, M. Hamdi Muz2006 Volume 209 Issue 4 Pages 321-328
Published: 2006
Released on J-STAGE: July 25, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSMacrophages and T cells are responsible for the main immune response to tuberculosis by secreting many cytokines and other substances. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of multidrug treatment on serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), secreted by activated T cells, and of neopterin, secreted by macrophages and monocytes, in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. The study included 30 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis, confirmed by the detection of acid-fast bacilli in direct sputum smears and/or sputum cultures. The serum levels of IL-2 and neopterin were measured before and during the treatment and compared with 15 patients with inactive pulmonary tuberculosis and 15 healthy controls. Serum IL-2 and neopterin levels were higher in patients with active tuberculosis (164.53 ± 58.91 pg/ml and 69.54 ± 29.42 nmol/l, respectively) than those in inactive tuberculosis (95.43 ± 31.17 pg/ml and 10.71 ± 1.78 nmol/l) or controls (79.20 ± 14.81 pg/ml and 9.50 ± 2.27 nmol/l) (p < 0.001 for each parameter). No significant differences were found in IL-2 and neopterin levels between inactive tuberculosis and control subjects. The IL-2 levels remained elevated in active tuberculosis at 2nd month of treatment (p < 0.001) and decreased to the control levels after 4th month. Neopterin levels were significantly higher in active tuberculosis than those in inactive tuberculosis or controls at the 2nd and 4th months of treatment. These findings indicate that measurements of serum IL-2 and neopterin levels are useful in following up the treatment and immune response to tuberculosis.View full abstractDownload PDF (423K) -
High Prevalence of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease with Minimal Mucosal Change in Asthmatic PatientsYasuo Shimizu, Kunio Dobashi, Setsuo Kobayashi, Ichiro Ohki, Masahiko ...2006 Volume 209 Issue 4 Pages 329-336
Published: 2006
Released on J-STAGE: July 25, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSIt is known that the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in asthmatic patients is high. Although an endoscopic diagnosis of GERD based on the established Los Angeles (LA) classification requires the detection of erosive mucosal breaks, there are patients with GERD who have prominent erythema of the esophageal membrane without erosive mucosal breaks. Non-erosive mucosal change denotes the minimal change of the discoloring type of reflux esophagitis. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of GERD in asthmatic patients using the LA classification with the inclusion of minimal change, compared to the prevalence determined using the established LA classification without minimal change. The presence of GERD in asthmatic patients (n = 78), non-asthmatic disease control patients (n = 56), and healthy subjects (n = 150) was evaluated by endoscopic examination. The frequency of GERD in asthmatic patients based on the LA classification with minimal change was higher (54/78, 69.2%) than in asthmatic patients based on the LA classification without minimal change (37/78, 47.4%) (p < 0.05). The prevalence of GERD in asthmatic patients (69.2%) was higher than that in disease control patients (17/56, 30.4%) and healthy subjects (27/150, 18.0%) based on the LA classification with minimum change. These data indicate that asthmatic patients have a high frequency of GERD. In addition, without the inclusion of minimum change to the diagnosis of GERD, the prevalence of GERD appears to be underestimated in asthmatic patients. Therefore, physicians should carefully observe asthmatic patients with minimal change on endoscopy.View full abstractDownload PDF (406K) -
Ahmet Akyol, Ahmet T. Alper, Nazmiye Cakmak, Hakan Hasdemir, Abdurrahm ...2006 Volume 209 Issue 4 Pages 337-346
Published: 2006
Released on J-STAGE: July 25, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSCongestive heart failure is characterized by significant autonomic dysfunction. Development of left bundle branch block in congestive heart failure is a predictor of worse outcome. There are several lines of evidence that cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), by biventricular stimulation in patients with severe heart failure and left bundle branch block, improves autonomic functions which can be quantified by measuring heart rate variability. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of CRT on autonomic functions quantified by heart rate variability and mean heart rate (HR) in patients with advanced heart failure and left bundle branch block in short and long-term follow-up. A total of 35 patients with systolic heart failure and left bundle branch block (mean-age 60 ± 11 years; 24 male and 11 female; mean left ventricular ejection fraction [EF]: 22.3 ± 3%) were enrolled. Clinical assessment and echocardiographic examination were performed at baseline and every three months. Continuous electrocardiographic monitorization by 24-hour Holter recordings was performed pre-implantation, 3 months and 2 years after implantation. Mean HR and one of the time-domain parameters of heart rate variability, standard deviation of the R-R intervals (SDNN) were measured. CRT was associated with a decrease in the mean duration of QRS, and an increase in diastolic filling time, the rate with which the left ventricular pressure rises (dP/dt), and left ventricular ejection fraction. Decrease in mean heart rate and increase in SDNN were statistically significant in the third month and second year recordings when compared to baseline recording (p values were < 0.001 for both). In conclusion, CRT with biventricular pacing provides sustained improvement in autonomic function in patients with advanced heart failure and left bundle branch block.View full abstractDownload PDF (384K) -
Vitamin B12 Reduces Ribavirin-Induced Genotoxicity in Phytohemaglutinin-Stimulated Human LymphocytesIvana Joksic, Andreja Leskovac, Sandra Petrovic, Gordana Joksic2006 Volume 209 Issue 4 Pages 347-354
Published: 2006
Released on J-STAGE: July 25, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSRibavirin, an N-glycosyl nucleoside (1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-1, 2, 4-triazole-3 carboxamide), is a synthetic purine nucleoside analogue with a broad spectrum of antiviral activity, however, its high toxicity poses a major disadvantage of its use as a therapeutic. Various studies have shown that vitamin B12 plays a significant role in maintaining the stability of the human genome. We therefore investigated the potential beneficial effect of vitamin B12 in reducing ribavirin-induced genotoxicity. To test this, we used the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay. Human blood cells were treated in vitro with increasing doses of ribavirin (0.05, 0.17, 0.32, 0.47 and 0.65 μmol/ml) for three different periods of time (2, 4 and 17 hrs). Duplicate cultures were supplemented with 50 μl of vitamin B12 during the drug treatment (final concentration of 13.5 μg/ml). Micronuclei formation and cell proliferation potential were then scored in both sets of samples and the corresponding controls. The results showed that supplementation with vitamin B12 lowered the frequency of micronuclei (Z = 2.02, p < 0.04) and recovered the proliferation potential of the treated cells for each treatment period, except for the conditions with the highest concentration of ribavirin and the shortest time. These observations underscore the unique beneficial effects of vitamin B12 in reducing genotoxicity, particularly by recovering the proliferation potential of treated cells, as demonstrated by the decrease in mononucleated cells and enhancement of binucleated and polynucleated cells. The mechanism by which vitamin B12 reduces ribavirin-induced genotoxicity is related to de novo synthesis of nucleotides, and is worthy of further investigation.View full abstractDownload PDF (476K)
Case Reports
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Didem Öncel, Ilgin Özden, Orhan Bilge, Yaman Tekant, Koray A ...2006 Volume 209 Issue 4 Pages 355-359
Published: 2006
Released on J-STAGE: July 25, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSMajor bile duct injury during cholecystectomy represents potentially severe complications with unpredictable long-term results. If these lesions are not treated adequately, they can lead to hepatic failure or secondary biliary cirrhosis therefore requiring liver transplantation. We report a patient who required liver transplantation 15 years after open cholecystectomy. A l0-year old girl underwent open cholecystectomy and duodenal repair for cholelithiasis and cholecystoduodenal fistula. She required two surgical inteventions, hepaticojejunostomy which was performed in another center and portoenterostomy for biliary stricture at our institution seven years after the cholecystectomy. Eight years after the third operation, she required recurrent hospitalization for treatment of hepatic abscesses. The extremely short intervals between the three life threatening episodes and the rapid progression to severe sepsis were taken into consideration and liver transplantation was performed at the age of 25. She is leading a healthy life at 4 years post transplantation. Although iatrogenic biliary injury can usually be treated successfully by a combination of surgery, radiological and endoscopic techniques, patients with severe injuries develop irreversible liver disease. This case report and review of the literature suggest that liver transplantation is a treatment modality for a selected group of patients with end-stage liver disease secondary to bile duct injury.View full abstractDownload PDF (2059K) -
Ouki Yasui, Fumihito Tsukamoto, Kazuhiro Kudo2006 Volume 209 Issue 4 Pages 361-367
Published: 2006
Released on J-STAGE: July 25, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSAlthough adenocarcinoma represents the vast majority of neoplasms of the large intestine, small cell undifferentiated carcinoma (SCUC) also arises from the colorectum. SCUC of the colorectum is highly malignant and shares the similarities in histologic characteristics, behavior, and histochemistry with SCUC of the lung. We report herein a case of SCUC in the ascending colon with rapid enlargement after resection. A 70-year-old male, who presented to a nearby physician with chief complaints of pain in the right lower quadrant, was referred to our hospital. We found a tumor mass that was approximately 15 cm in size in the right lower quadrant. Computed tomography (CT) images showed an irregularly shaped tumor, located inferior to the lower border of the right kidney and in the area of the ascending colon. By colonoscopy, we found a circumferential tumor of the ascending colon. A biopsy indicated it to be SCUC. The patient underwent right hemicolectomy. Two weeks after the resection, we palpated a tumor mass in the same area. The abdominal CT images showed a tumor mass that was approximately 10 cm in size. The tumor rapidly enlarged, and the patient died of multiple organ failure. SCUC is a tumor with a high malignant potential. Radical treatment cannot be achieved by surgical therapy alone and hence further studies of effective adjuvant therapy would be required.View full abstractDownload PDF (1703K) -
Shuji Isefuku, Masahiro Seki, Takahiro Tajino, Michiyuki Hakozaki, Shi ...2006 Volume 209 Issue 4 Pages 369-377
Published: 2006
Released on J-STAGE: July 25, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSEwing's sarcoma (ES) is a highly malignant tumor composed of uniform small round cells. Recently, a single biologic entity, Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) has been accepted. The entity includes ES, extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma (EES) and primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET). ESFT cells have immunoreactivity for CD99, an antigen determined by the MIC2 gene. Most ESFT has the (11;22) (q24;q12) translocation. The translocation results in the fusion of the EWS gene with the transcription factor gene FLI1 which has been considered a hallmark of ESFT. We present an extremely unusual case with ESFT in a spinal nerve root mimicking a neurogenic dumbbell tumor. A male aged 20 years noticed pain in his right buttock. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a mass in the right L5/S intervertebral foramen and the lesions in the sacrum. Surgery was performed with a presumptive diagnosis of a nerve sheath tumor. At surgery, the tumor was located in the right L5 nerve root sleeve. The sacral lesions were observed closely. At one month after surgery, radiologically multiple lesions were detected in the pelvic bones. Microscopically the lesions from the root and ilium were composed of small round cells immunoreactive for CD99. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction detected transcripts resulting from the fusion of the EWS gene with FLI1 genes in the iliac lesion. Immunoreactivity for CD99 and detection of the EWS-FLI1 hybrid transcripts are important for the correct diagnosis of ESFT arising in an unusual location.View full abstractDownload PDF (4477K) -
Satoko Tsuchida, Tsutomu Takahashi, Atsuko Noguchi, Ikuko Takahashi, T ...2006 Volume 209 Issue 4 Pages 379-382
Published: 2006
Released on J-STAGE: July 25, 2006
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSSplit notochord syndrome is a group of developmental abnormalities caused by abnormal splitting or deviation of the notochord, clinically resulting in the duplicated bowel associated with vertebral anomalies. In this syndrome, initial presentations due to duplicated bowel, vomiting, abdominal pain, and failure to thrive, usually occur before 1 year of age. We here report a 12-year-old boy with intermittent vomiting, previously diagnosed with cyclic vomiting syndrome. On abdominal x-ray examination, a defect in the closure of posterior vertebral arches was observed in the 5th lumbar vertebral body, indicating the complication of spina bifida occulta. This finding suggested the diagnosis of split notochord syndrome. A magnetic resonance imaging study revealed a cystic mass lesion in the pelvic cavity. 99mTc-pertechnetate scintigraphy, which is frequently used to detect ectopic gastric mucosa for the diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulum, showed a positive spot corresponding to the cystic mass lesion. Surgical resection of the cystic mass lesion demonstrated ileal duplicaion with ectopic gastric mucosa. Surgical findings suggest that symptoms of the patient were due to ulceration, inflammation, or bleeding caused by acid-peptic juice secreted from ectopic gastric mucosa. Duplication of the alimentary tract should be considered as a possible cause in patients with symptoms suggesting cyclic vomiting syndrome.View full abstractDownload PDF (1458K)
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