Impact of Itraconazole After First-line Chemotherapy on Survival of Patients with Metastatic Biliary Tract Cancer

AIM

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of itraconazole after first-line chemotherapy in patients with metastatic biliary tract cancer (BTC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed data from patients with histologically-diagnosed BTC with distant metastases who had received one or more lines of chemotherapy and subsequent itraconazole chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Among 28 enrolled patients, 26 (93%) received docetaxel (35 mg/m(2)), gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m(2)), and carboplatin (AUC4) on day 1 and oral itraconazole solution (400 mg) on days -2 to 2, repeated every 2 weeks. Two patients received docetaxel plus itraconazole with irinotecan. Two complete responses and 14 partial responses were observed, with a response rate of 57%. The median overall survival was 12.0 months. During 160 cycles, 21 (75%) and 17 (61%) patients had grade 3/4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, respectively. Two patients (7%) experienced febrile neutropenia.

CONCLUSION

Combination chemotherapy with itraconazole after first-line chemotherapy is promising for patients with metastatic BTC.

Combination Chemotherapy with Itraconazole for Treating Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer in the Second-line or Additional Setting

BACKGROUND

We evaluated chemotherapy with itraconazole (a common anti-fungal agent that is a potent inhibitor of the Hedgehog pathway, P-glycoprotein, and angiogenesis) for treating progressive pancreatic cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of patients with histologically-diagnosed pancreatic cancer who had received first- or second-line chemotherapy and subsequent chemotherapy with itraconazole.

RESULTS

A total of 38 patients received docetaxel (35 mg/m(2)), gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m(2)), and carboplatin (area under the curve, 4 mg/min/ml) on day 1 and oral itraconazole solution (400 mg) on days -2 to 2, repeated every 2 weeks. One complete response and 13 partial responses were observed, for a response rate of 37%. Eight (21%) patients experienced febrile neutropenia. The median overall survival was 11.4 months (95% confidence interval=8.5-21.2 months).

CONCLUSION

Combination chemotherapy with itraconazole is promising for prolonging overall survival, with acceptable toxicities in the second-line setting of pancreatic cancer.

Characterization and gene cloning of a maltotriose-forming exo-amylase from Kitasatospora sp. MK-1785

A maltotriose-forming amylase (G3Amy) from Kitasatospora sp. MK-1785 was successfully isolated from a soil sample by inhibiting typical extracellular α-amylases using a proteinaceous α-amylase inhibitor. G3Amy was purified from the MK-1785 culture supernatant and characterized. G3Amy produced maltotriose as the principal product from starch and was categorized as an exo-α-amylase. G3Amy could also transfer maltotriose to phenolic and alcoholic compounds. Therefore, G3Amy can be useful for not only maltotriose manufacture but also maltooligosaccharide-glycoside synthesis. Further, the G3Amy gene was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli cells. Analysis of its deduced amino acid sequence revealed that G3Amy consisted of an N-terminal GH13 catalytic domain and two C-terminal repeat starch-binding domains belonging to CBM20. It is suggested that natural G3Amy was subjected to proteolysis at N-terminal region of the anterior CBM20 in the C-terminal region. As with natural G3Amy, recombinant G3Amy could produce and transfer maltotriose from starch.

Association of EGFR CA simple sequence repeat 1 (CA-SSR1) variant with cetuximab (cet)-induced skin toxicity (ST) in Japanese metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients (pts) with overexpressed EGFR and KRAS exon 2 wild-type (KRAS wt) (JACCRO CC-05/06 AR)

582

Background: Associations of EGFR gene copy number (GCN) and EGFR CA-SSR1 polymorphism with clinical outcome still remain controversial in mCRC pts treated with cet. Interethnic differences in the repeat number of EGFRCA-SSR1 have been reported between Caucasian and Asians, however, there have been few reports about the associations with clinical outcome in Japanese pts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of two biomarkers in Japanese mCRC pts treated with cet. Methods: This study enrolled 77 pts with tumor available from two prospective clinical trials evaluating combination of cet with oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment in mCRC pts with KRAS wt and EGFR-expressing tumors, modified FOLFOX6 (n=28/57, UMIN000004197) and SOX (n=49/67, UMIN000007022). Genomic DNA isolated by macro-dissection from tissue was screened for the EGFR GCN determined by FISH on FFPE tumor specimens with the cut-off value of 2.9, adopted as previously reported (Cappuzzo F, et al., 2008), and the EGFR CA-SSR1 short (S; ≤19) / long (L; ≥20) determined by PCR amplification and fragment length analysis using capillary electrophoresis. Associations of the biomarkers with efficacy, including response, progression-free survival, and overall survival, were evaluated. Additional analysis was addressed at a possible association between the EGFRCA-SSR1 and ST. Results: The frequency of the L alleles of the EGFR CA-SSR1 was 64%. There was no significant association between two biomarkers and efficacy. However, the EGFR CA-SSR1 variant significantly correlated with ST evaluated on 8 weeks after initial administration. The rate of ST with grade 2 or 3 was 33% (10/30), 19% (5/26), and 64% (7/11) in LL, SL, and SS genotype, respectively (fisher's exact test p=0.03). Conclusions: Our study provides first evidence that the EGFR CA-SSR1 variant was associated with cet-induced ST in Japanese mCRC pts. No predictive value for cet treatment could be identified in our screened biomarkers, however, extended RAS mutations analysis is warranted (UMIN000010635).

[A case of disease-free, long survival in a patient with mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma of the gallbladder treated with induction CDDP/CPT-11 chemotherapy and resection]

A 57-year-old woman with a complaint of a right upper quadrant mass was referred to our hospital. Multimodal studies such as PET-CT revealed large hepatic tumors and swollen para-aortic lymph nodes, the origin of which was unclear. Pathological analysis of a biopsy specimen obtained from the liver tumor led to a diagnosis of neuroendocrine carcinoma. After 4 CDDP/CPT-11 chemotherapy treatment courses, remarkable shrinkage of liver tumors and disappearance of the swollen lymph nodes were achieved. Subsequently, liver tumor and extrahepatic bile duct resection and lymphatic dissection were performed. Pathological analysis of the resected specimens revealed that the liver tumors and metastatic lymph nodes originated from the gallbladder, leading to a diagnosis of mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma. After 5 courses of adjuvant chemotherapy using the same regimen, the patient has remained disease free for 24 months since the initialdiagnosis.

Mutational diversity of NS5A and NS3 during triple therapy (telaprevir, pegylated-interferon-α 2b and ribavirin) for genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C: The Kobe Hepatitis Therapeutic Group

Telaprevir, a non-structural (NS)3/4A protease inhibitor, is a direct-acting antiviral drug that inhibits viral replication. Triple therapy with telaprevir, pegylated interferon, and ribavirin is a standard therapeutic regimen for patients with genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and a high viral load. Several factors, including mutations in the NS5A gene, are important predictors of the efficacy of interferon therapy. In this study, we examined the mutational diversity of NS5A and its impact on the efficacy of triple therapy. We enrolled patients with genotype 1b chronic HCV infection and a high viral load (31 males/17 females; mean age, 57.6 years), who were treated with triple therapy. This study was conducted at Kobe University Hospital and at three affiliated hospitals in Hyogo prefecture, Japan, between November 2011 and June 2013. A sustained viral response after 12 weeks (SVR12) was achieved in 37/48 patients (77%). Based on intent-to-treat analysis, SVR12 was significantly greater in patients with the major allele than in those with the minor allele for the IL28B single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; 88 vs. 56%; P<0.05). The prevalence of the V2334I mutation in NS5A was significantly higher in patients who achieved SVR12, while that of G2356E was significantly higher in patients who did not achieve SVR12 (P<0.05). Mutations in the NS3 region that are thought to confer resistance to telaprevir were detected in 3/27 patients who achieved SVR12 (Val36, n=3) and in 5/10 patients who did not achieve SVR12 (Val36, n=4; Thr54, n=1). In conclusion, the IL28B SNP and mutations in the NS5A region were associated with the therapeutic response to triple therapy. Half of the patients who did not achieve SVR12 had mutations conferring resistance to telaprevir. However, pre-existing mutations in NS3 did not affect the efficacy of triple therapy.

A phase II study of cetuximab (cet) and mFOLFOX6 in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) (JACCRO CC-05)

611

Background: FOLFOX4 combined with cet for mCRC patients (pts) with KRAS wild tumor demonstrated the prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) with higher response rate (RR) in the OPUS study. To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of the cet plus mFOLFOX6, we conducted a multi-center phase II study of Japanese pts. Methods: In this trial, pts with KRAS wild type tumor and receiving no prior chemotherapy for mCRC were treated with cet (initial dose 400, and 250 mg/m2 weekly) followed by mFOLFOX6 (oxaliplatin 85mg/m2, l-leucovorin 200 mg/m2, fluorouracil, as 400mg/m2 intravenous bolus then 2,400mg/m246-hour continuous infusion). The treatment was repeated every 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was RR evaluated by the external review board according to RECIST v1.1. Secondary endpoints included PFS, OS, % chronological change at the base line and safety. Results: A total of 57 pts were enrolled from August 2010 to September 2011. The median age was 60 years, 65% of pts were male, and ECOG PS 0 was observed in 91% of pts. All pts had EGFR-expressing disease. The median treatment courses were 21 (cet) and 10 (FOLFOX). The RR was 66.7% (95%CI, 53.4 to 77.7). Complete remission was observed in 5 cases (9.3%). The median PFS was 11.1 months (95%CI, 8.0 to 14.7). The early tumor shrinkage (ETS; over 20% regression at 8 weeks) was observed in 80% of pts, and the PFS for pts with ETS was statistically significantly prolonged as compared with pts without ETS (median PFS, 11.5 vs. 3.7 months, respectively; p = 0.0002). The OS was not reached at the time of median follow-up (19.2 months). Grade 3 or worse adverse events were neutropenia (48.2%), leucopenia (22.2%), rash acneform (20.4%), and peripheral neuropathy (18.5%). Conclusions: The first-line cet+mFOLFOX6 has an acceptable safety profile and demonstrates advantages in response rate for pts with KRAS wild tumor. The first-line cet+mFOLFOX6 should be considered as one of the recommended treatment regimens for pts with KRAS wild tumor. Update survival data will be presented. Clinical trial information: UMIN000004197.

A phase I/II study of cetuximab (cet) in combination with S-1 and oxaliplatin (SOX) in first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) (JACCRO CC-06)

571

Background: Both SOX and cet are effective treatments each other in patients (pts) with mCRC. COIN trial indicated that the use of cet in combination with capacitabine and oxaliplatin should not be recommended. However, the safety and efficacy of cet plus SOX are not clear. To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of the combination, we conducted a multi-center phase I/II study. Methods: In this trial, we assigned pts with KRAS wild type (wt), EGFR-expressing tumor and no prior chemotherapy to receive cet (initial dose 400, and 250 mg/m2 weekly) followed by SOX (oxaliplatin on day 1 and S-1 40 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1-14). The treatment was repeated every 3 weeks. The phase I part was designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended dose (RD) according to the dose adaptation schedule of oxaliplatin (100 mg/m2 for level 1 and 130 mg/m2 for level 2). In the following phase II part, the enrolled pts were treated with the RD. The primary endpoint was response rate (RR) evaluated by the external review board according to RECIST criteria v1.1. Secondary endpoints included PFS, OS, and safety. In addition, we prospectively evaluated early tumor shrinkage (ETS). Results: A total of 67 pts were enrolled from January 2012 to February 2013. In the phase I part, level 2 was determined to be the RD. The MTD was not determined because dose limiting toxicity was not confirmed in level 2. In the phase II part, 59 pts including 6 pts of phase I cohort were assessable for the efficacy. The median age was 64 years, 51% of pts were male, and ECOG PS 0 was observed in 85% of pts. The median course of treatment was 5 (range 1-14). The RR was 62.7% (95%CI, 50.4 to 75.1) and ETS was observed in 72% of pts. In safety analysis, grade 3 or worse adverse events were platelet count decreased (13.1%), neutropenia (8.2%), anorexia (11.7%), rash acneform (6.7%) and peripheral neuropathy (3.3%). Conclusions: We determined the RD of cet plus SOX treatment in pts with mCRC. This combination is tolerable at full doses of cet and SOX, with manageable toxicities, and demonstrates advantages in RR for pts with KRAS wt tumor. Updated safety and efficacy data will be presented. Clinical trial information: UMIN000007022.

Prevalence of spinal meningeal cyst in the sacrum

Spinal meningeal cysts in the sacrum (SMC) are known to be occasionally symptomatic with low back pain as well as leg pain, but no distinct prevalence of this pathological entity including asymptomatic lesions has been described. This prospective study investigated the prevalence of SMCs based on magnetic resonance (MR) myelography in 102 consecutive Japanese women with gynecological problems, who underwent pelvic conventional MR imaging. Ten of 102 patients were suspected of being positive for SMC (9.8%), but pseudo-positive findings were possible. A high probability of positive SMC was found in 7/102 (6.9%). MR myelography was better to detect SMCs than conventional MR imaging. Multiplicity and female preponderance may be other features of SMC. The speculated prevalence of SMCs in Japanese females ranged from 6.9% to 9.8%.

Mutations in non-structural 5A and rapid viral response to pegylated interferon-α-2b plus ribavirin therapy are associated with therapeutic efficacy in patients with genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C

For patients chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), mutations in the non-structural 5A (NS5A) gene are important predictive factors for the response to interferon (IFN) therapy. In the present study, factor analysis of the therapeutic response of patients following pegylated IFN and ribavirin combination therapy was assessed in a multicenter study. Chronic HCV-infected patients with genotype 1b and high viral load (n=96, mean age 56.5 years; 59 males, 68 females) treated with pegylated IFN-α-2b and ribavirin combination therapy were enrolled. This study was conducted at Kobe University Hospital and 25 affiliated hospitals in Hyogo prefecture. Sixty-five patients (68%) completed treatment with both pegylated IFN and ribavirin at >80% of the weight-based scheduled dosages. Patients who reduced or terminated therapy were frequently aged women (mean age 60.8 years; 11 males, 17 females). Overall, a sustained viral response (SVR) was achieved in 42 (44%) patients out of 96. Based on per-protocol-based (PPB) analysis, the SVR rate in patients with ≥6 amino acid (aa) mutations in the IFN resistance-determining region (IRRDR) (75%) or ≥1 aa mutation in the IFN sensitivity-determining region (ISDR) (61%) was significantly higher than that in patients with <5 aa mutations in IRRDR (30%) or no mutation in ISDR (29%). Multivariate analysis revealed that rapid viral response (RVR) (odds ratio, 18.1) and mutations of ≥6 in IRRDR (odds ratio, 15.5) were significantly associated with SVR. In conclusion, mutations in the NS5A region, particularly in patients with ≥6 aa mutations in IRRDR were strongly associated with a therapeutic response to pegylated IFN and ribavirin combination therapy.

[Diagnosis of patients with thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) using physiological measures of the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve]

The diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) remains difficult; therefore, reliable and objective tests are required. We examined the process to diagnose TOS, and assessed the validity of measuring the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve (MAC), also the ulnar nerve (UN) as a diagnostic tool. Between 2008 and 2011, 86 sides in 73 patients admitted to our hospital for the treatment of TOS were analyzed. In the process for the diagnosis as TOS, the narrow parts of the subclavian artery that was compressed by the anterior scalene muscle were confirmed with a three-dimensional CT angiography. All patients were taken a brachial plexus anesthesiological block to aim at both for diagnosis and treatment of TOS. For the diagnosis of TOS, measurements of latency (LT) and sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) of MAC and UN were analyzed between the TOS side and the non-TOS side and separated into traumatic type or disputed type. In our research, the LT of MAC and UN did not differ much between the TOS side and the non-TOS side; however, the amplitude of SNAP of MAC and UN were lower on the TOS side, especially in traumatic TOS. We concluded that comparison of the amplitude of SNAP of MAC on the injured or non-injured side was comparatively helpful for the diagnosis of TOS.

Sequence heterogeneity in NS5A of hepatitis C virus genotypes 2a and 2b and clinical outcome of pegylated-interferon/ribavirin therapy

Pegylated-interferon plus ribavirin (PEG-IFN/RBV) therapy is a current standard treatment for chronic hepatitis C. We previously reported that the viral sequence heterogeneity of part of NS5A, referred to as the IFN/RBV resistance-determining region (IRRDR), and a mutation at position 70 of the core protein of hepatitis C virus genotype 1b (HCV-1b) are significantly correlated with the outcome of PEG-IFN/RBV treatment. Here, we aimed to investigate the impact of viral genetic variations within the NS5A and core regions of other genotypes, HCV-2a and HCV-2b, on PEG-IFN/RBV treatment outcome. Pretreatment sequences of NS5A and core regions were analyzed in 112 patients infected with HCV-2a or HCV-2b, who were treated with PEG-IFN/RBV for 24 weeks and followed up for another 24 weeks. The results demonstrated that HCV-2a isolates with 4 or more mutations in IRRDR (IRRDR[2a]≥4) was significantly associated with rapid virological response at week 4 (RVR) and sustained virological response (SVR). Also, another region of NS5A that corresponds to part of the IFN sensitivity-determining region (ISDR) plus its carboxy-flanking region, which we referred to as ISDR/+C[2a], was significantly associated with SVR in patients infected with HCV-2a. Multivariate analysis revealed that IRRDR[2a]≥4 was the only independent predictive factor for SVR. As for HCV-2b infection, an N-terminal half of IRRDR having two or more mutations (IRRDR[2b]/N≥2) was significantly associated with RVR, but not with SVR. No significant correlation was observed between core protein polymorphism and PEG-IFN/RBV treatment outcome in HCV-2a or HCV-2b infection. Conclusion: The present results suggest that sequence heterogeneity of NS5A of HCV-2a (IRRDR[2a]≥4 and ISDR/+C[2a]), and that of HCV-2b (IRRDR[2b]/N≥2) to a lesser extent, is involved in determining the viral sensitivity to PEG-IFN/RBV therapy.

Extraordinary carrier multiplication gated by a picosecond electric field pulse

The study of carrier multiplication has become an essential part of many-body physics and materials science as this multiplication directly affects nonlinear transport phenomena, and has a key role in designing efficient solar cells and electroluminescent emitters and highly sensitive photon detectors. Here we show that a 1-MVcm⁻¹ electric field of a terahertz pulse, unlike a DC bias, can generate a substantial number of electron–hole pairs, forming excitons that emit near-infrared luminescence. The bright luminescence associated with carrier multiplication suggests that carriers coherently driven by a strong electric field can efficiently gain enough kinetic energy to induce a series of impact ionizations that can increase the number of carriers by about three orders of magnitude on the picosecond time scale.

Studying carrier multiplication in materials is important to understand their transport properties and interaction with light. Hirori et al. show that intense terahertz pulses can generate electron-hole pairs in GaAs quantum wells that then emit infrared light, contrary to the effect with a DC field.

[Effectiveness of systemic chemotherapy of GEM+CBDCA+5-FU/LV and hepatic arterial infusion of CDDP in a case of advanced, combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma with multiple lung metastases]

This patient is a male in his 30's. He was diagnosed as hepatitis B virus-related huge primary liver cancer, 10cm in diameter, located in segment 4, accompanied with left portal thrombus and multiple lung metastases. Ten months after repeating systemic chemotherapy using gemcitabine (GEM)+carboplatin (CBDCA)+5-FU/leucovorin (LV) and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with cisplatin (CDDP) 4 times, extended left lobectomy with caudate lobe could be successfully performed because of marked reducion of the huge tumor. The pathology revealed almost entirely necrotic changes of the main tumor, and the remaining, viable tumor nests showed combined hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma. Systemic chemotherapy was repeatedly given afterwards, which kept the pulmonary metastases stable without growth. The present case suggests that systemic chemotherapy using GEM+CBDCA+5-FU/LV may be useful in the multimodal treatment for the combined hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma with distant metastases.

New titanium spacer for cervical laminoplasty: initial clinical experience. Technical note

Many commercially available hydroxyapatite (HA) spacers for cervical laminoplasty have been introduced but have disadvantages such as lack of plasticity, easy cracking, and occasional difficulty in fixation by sutures. Here we present the short-term results of a newly designed titanium spacer (Laminoplasty Basket) in open-door cervical laminoplasty, and evaluated clinically and radiologically. The titanium box-shaped spacer with two arms for fixation was easily inserted and fixed into the laminoplasty space with 4-mm or 5-mm length screws after the posterior cervical arch was repositioned for the canal expansion. Twenty-one patients with cervical myelopathy due to spondylosis or ossification of the longitudinal ligament or developmental narrow canal observed for more than 6 months postoperatively were enrolled in this study. The neurological condition of these patients improved from 9.4 points on the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale preoperatively to 13.5 points at 6 months after surgery. Postoperative radiological evaluation showed no laminar closure or implant failure and cervical spine curvature was maintained. These results seemed to have no significant difference compared with those using HA spacers. This titanium spacer is a potential substitute for conventional HA or other similar devices in cervical laminoplasty.

Robotic Digital Subtraction Angiography Systems Within the Hybrid Operating Room

BACKGROUND:

Fully equipped high-end digital subtraction angiography (DSA) within the operating room (OR) environment has emerged as a new trend in the fields of neurosurgery and vascular surgery.

OBJECTIVE:

To describe initial clinical experience with a robotic DSA system in the hybrid OR.

METHODS:

A newly designed robotic DSA system (Artis zeego; Siemens AG, Forchheim, Germany) was installed in the hybrid OR. The system consists of a multiaxis robotic C arm and surgical OR table. In addition to conventional neuroendovascular procedures, the system was used as an intraoperative imaging tool for various neurosurgical procedures such as aneurysm clipping and spine instrumentation.

RESULTS:

Five hundred one neurosurgical procedures were successfully conducted in the hybrid OR with the robotic DSA. During surgical procedures such as aneurysm clipping and arteriovenous fistula treatment, intraoperative 2-/3-dimensional angiography and C-arm-based computed tomographic images (DynaCT) were easily performed without moving the OR table. Newly developed virtual navigation software (syngo iGuide; Siemens AG) can be used in frameless navigation and in access to deep-seated intracranial lesions or needle placement.

CONCLUSION:

This newly developed robotic DSA system provides safe and precise treatment in the fields of endovascular treatment and neurosurgery.

Syrinx disappearance following laminoplasty in cervical canal stenosis associated with Chiari malformation--case report

A 50-year-old woman presented with nuchal pain, clumsiness in both hands, and gait disturbance. Cervical magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed cervical canal stenosis at C3-C7 levels associated with a syrinx and cerebellar tonsillar herniation. The patient underwent C3-C7 laminoplasty. Her symptoms improved completely, and the patient was discharged 10 days after operation. Postoperative MR imaging showed disappearance of the syrinx. This case suggests that cerebellar tonsillar herniation may not cause syringomyelia. Posterior decompression, such as laminectomy and laminoplasty, without foramen magnum decompression may be an appropriate surgical strategy for diffuse cervical canal stenosis associated with syringomyelia below the narrow canal, even in the presence of co-existing Chiari malformation.

A unique device, the disc space-fitted distraction device, for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: early clinical and radiological evaluation

OBJECT

To perform interbody distraction and to obtain spinal curvature correction during anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), the authors recently adopted a new stand-alone device, a disc space-fitted distraction device (DFDD). In this preliminary report the authors introduce this unique device and discuss some advantages in terms of short-term clinical and radiological evaluations.

METHODS

The most unique aspect of the DFDD is the function of gentle distraction at anterior disc space with maximum lordotic correction of up to 8 degrees while rotating a screw at the front of the device. Additional advantages are related to its configuration such as disc space-matched shape in all dimensions, tapering contour for easy insertion into the disc space, multiple spikes to avoid dislodgment, wider contact area to the vertebral endplate for diminishing sinking process, and sufficient space for accommodation of bone-conductive materials. Twenty-four patients who have been observed more than 12 months after ACDF were involved in this evaluation.

RESULTS

The objective clinical outcome, measured by the Neurological Cervical Spine Scale, was significantly improved. In radiological evaluation, statistically significant improvement compared with preoperative values was noted on the curvature index, C2-7 curvature, and disc angle (p < 0.01) throughout the entire postoperative period, up to 12 months. A high fusion rate and remodeling process around the implants were also observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The DFDD may have some advantages over other devices-its distraction action, diminished sinking, and early solid bone union resulted in maintaining sufficient correction of the spinal curvature. This corrected spinal curvature may play an important role in preventing progressive adjacent-disc degeneration subsequent to ACDF in the long term.

New surgical technique to secure the bone strut during anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion: kusabi fixation technique--technical note

Fixation using an anterior cervical plate is frequently used in anterior cervical discectomy or corpectomy and fusion procedures because of the higher fusion rate than without instrumentation. The surgical outcomes with the anterior plate technique are acceptable, but various hardware-related complications have been reported. The authors describe a new surgical technique, called the kusabi fixation technique, for securing the bone strut during anterior cervical corpectomy using cylindrical cages. Following corpectomy, the trimmed bone strut was placed into the space drilled-out. Two small holes of 5-6-mm diameter and 5-mm depth were drilled out at the interface of two bones at the top and bottom of the bone strut in a diagonal orientation. Two cylindrical cages filled with autologous bone tips were tapped into the interface. Eight patients with myelopathy were treated by this method. All procedures were uneventfully performed as a single level surgery (two vertebral bodies and one disk level). Solid bone union was obtained in all patients at 6 months after the operation. Apparent alignment change in the cervical spine was observed in only one patient, who developed asymptomatic kyphosis. No instrumentation failure or significant complications related to the surgery occurred. Precise biomechanical aspects and long-term radiographic analysis compared with the plate fixation technique should be established, but this new method provides another way to secure the bone strut in anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion.

[Diagnosis and management of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the cervical spine]

This is a review of the literature on the diagnosis and management of the ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the cervical spine. The pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of cervical OPLL are related to the discogenic dynamic factor of the spine. The signs and symptoms of OPLL include numbness in the hands and/or legs, neck pain, awkward hand movements, and/or gait disturbance, which are not necessarily progressive. Apparent neurological deficit may be an indication of surgery in patients with cervical OPLL because of the low efficacy of conservative treatment and the unfavorable surgical outcomes in patients with established neurological deficits. The 2 major surgical strategies used for the treatment of cervical OPLL are anterior decompression with fusion and posterior decompression via techniques such as laminoplasty and laminectomy. The indications of anterior surgery include ossification of a small length of the posterior longitudinal ligament (< 7 cm). During the removal of the ossified ligament through the corpectomy site, care should be taken to not compress the spinal cord or to injure the dura mater. If the dura mater is adherent to the ossified ligament, further removal of the ligament should be discontinued, and the floating technique may be used for the removal of the remaining ligament. Cylindrical cages may be safely used instead of anterior surgical plates for fixing bone struts harvested from the iliac crest. The indications of posterior decompression include multi-segment pathology and/or developmental canal stenosis. Open-door laminoplasty via the unilateral approach has been introduced for posterior decompression. Both methods are associated with symptomatic improvement in 50-70% of patients and with the development of complications such as deterioration of myelopathy and C5 palsy in 0-10% of patients. After anterior decompression surgery, 5-15% of patients develop complications related to the bone strut, whereas after posterior decompression surgery, 9% of patients develop postoperative kyphotic deformity.

Follow-up of Large Aneurysms Treated with Coil Embolization at an Acute Stage in Patients with Poor-Grade Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

SUMMARY

This study evaluated the clinical and angiographic outcome of large aneurysms treated with coil embolization at an acute stage in patients with poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Between July 1, 2001 and June 30, 2004, eight consecutive WFNS grade 5 patients with large aneurysms (15~23 mm) were treated with endovascular coil embolization within two days and followed for at least 30 months. There were three middle cerebral and five internal carotid artery aneurysms. No patients were treated by craniotomy and none survived without treatment. Two patients died of primary brain damage or cerebral vasospasm within one month. One patient died of pneumonia at 24 months. Four patients were alive with good recovery or moderate disability at the time of final follow-up (30~66 months). Angiography immediately after the procedure showed complete occlusion in three, neck remnant in four, and body filling in one patient. No complication was seen related to the procedure. Three aneurysms that were initially neck remnant developed body filling due to coil compaction. Two were re-treated with coils at six and 12 months and resulted in neck remnant. One patient refused re-treatment and died of re-bleeding. Endovascular coil embolization can be selected at an acute stage for the treatment of aneurysms in patients with poor-grade SAH without intraparenchymal hematoma even if the aneur-ysm is large. Serial follow up by MRA/angiography is necessary for at least 12 months.

Background values for evaluation of heavy metal contamination in sediments

The contamination of sediments can be evaluated from comparison of the current concentration with the estimated background value. Although it is known that grain size affects background concentrations, there have been difficulties in evaluating this effect. The specific surface area of sediments, which can be calculated from the grain size distribution, is introduced as a property index for correlation of background values. The results show that for sandy-to-sandy silt sediments, the background values of metals are expressed in terms of fines content, which can be correlated with the corresponding specific surface area. However, for silty clay or clayey silt sediments, which would have a high metal retention capacity, the level of the background may be constrained by the relatively low concentrations of metals in seawater. Finally, background levels of Zn, Cu and Pb are presented.

[Intraoperative photodynamic diagnosis for spinal ependymoma using 5-aminolevulinic acid: technical note]

OBJECTIVE

The fluorescence-guided resection using 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is a well established method for the treatment of brain tumor, especially malignant glioma. However, there is no report on photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) for spinal tumor. In the present study, we evaluated the usefulness of PDD for spinal ependymoma using 5-ALA.

METHODS

Three patients with spinal ependymoma received oral doses of 5-ALA (20 mg/kg body weight) 2 hours before anesthesia induction. Intraoperatively, fluorescence was observed with a 420 nm sharp cut filter after excitation with a violet semiconductor laser (405 nm) and was verified by analysis of fluorescent spectra. Residual fluorescent samples taken from the tumor cavity were examined histologically

RESULTS

Fluorescence peaked at 636nm in the removed tumors in all cases. Fluorescent tissue tended to exist at the cranial and caudal portion in the tumor cavity or around the anterior median fissure. The residual fluorescent tissue was not detected after removal of the tumor in case 1. The residual fluorescent tissue was composed of tumor cells and ependymal lining in case 2 or the infiltrated inflammatory cells and vascular endothelial cells in case 3. Postoperative magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed no residual tumor in any of the cases.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study indicate the usefulness of 5-ALA-induced tumor fluorescence in guiding resection of spinal ependymoma. 5-ALA-induced porphyrin fluorescence may label spinal ependymomas easily and clearly enough to enhance the completeness of tumor removal.

A case of progressive myelopathy with atlas hypoplasia in an infant: controversy in the surgical strategy

CASE REPORT

The authors report a case of isolated atlas hypoplasia in an 18-month-old infant who experienced delayed motor development confined to the lower extremities, in the absence of other clinical features. Nonetheless, MRI revealed the upper cervical cord to be highly compressed with a high signal intensity lesion apparent at the craniovertebral junction. The patient underwent atlas laminectomy in addition to occipital decompression, resulting in a good neurological recovery.

DISCUSSION

We speculate on the significance of this unique clinical presentation and discuss surgical strategies for this condition.

Fractures of the Lumbar and Sacral Superior Articular Processes: Report of Two Cases

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE:

Injury to the posterior vertebral elements of the lumbar spine represents a common cause of lower back pain in athletes. However, associations between nontraumatic fracture, nonathletic populations, and treatment remain poorly described. Diagnosis and treatment of two extremely rare symptomatic fractures of the superior articular process are discussed.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION:

Two male nonathletes presented with sudden lower back and leg pain after usual daily activities. No obvious abnormalities were revealed by radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, or myelography.

INTERVENTION:

In both patients, small fractures of the superior articular facet compressing the root shoulder were recognized after further examination, including detailed neurological evaluation of symptoms and targeted thin-slice computed tomography. After failure of conservative treatment, surgical debridement and removal of nonunion fracture were accomplished.

CONCLUSION:

Symptoms were resolved surgically without further complications or rehabilitation. Fractures of the superior articular facet causing intolerable lower back and sciatic leg pain are rare. We present the first reported cases of these fractures.

Fractures of the lumbar and sacral superior articular processes: report of two cases

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE

Injury to the posterior vertebral elements of the lumbar spine represents a common cause of lower back pain in athletes. However, associations between nontraumatic fracture, nonathletic populations, and treatment remain poorly described. Diagnosis and treatment of two extremely rare symptomatic fractures of the superior articular process are discussed.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

Two male nonathletes presented with sudden lower back and leg pain after usual daily activities. No obvious abnormalities were revealed by radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, or myelography.

INTERVENTION

In both patients, small fractures of the superior articular facet compressing the root shoulder were recognized after further examination, including detailed neurological evaluation of symptoms and targeted thin-slice computed tomography. After failure of conservative treatment, surgical debridement and removal of nonunion fracture were accomplished.

CONCLUSION

Symptoms were resolved surgically without further complications or rehabilitation. Fractures of the superior articular facet causing intolerable lower back and sciatic leg pain are rare. We present the first reported cases of these fractures.

Solution structure of the DNA complex with a quinacrine-netropsin hybrid molecule by NMR spectroscopy

The solution structures of 1:1 complexes of a quinacrine-netropsin hybrid molecule with the self-complementary DNA duplexes, d(CGCGAATTCGCG)2 and d(CGAATTCG)2, have been studied by one- and two-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopy. The NOE data indicate that the acridine ring of the hybrid intercalates into the 5'-GpA step and its netropsin moiety spans the minor groove of the central AATT region.

DNA binding properties of DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) analogs having an imidazoline ring or a tetrahydropyrimidine ring: groove-binding and intercalation

DAPI analogs containing an imidazoline ring or a tetrahydropyrimidine ring have been synthesized to study DNA binding properties. Spectroscopic (absorption, CD, flow dichroism and fluorescence) and viscosity measurements indicate that DAPI analogs interact with DNA both by intercalation and by groove binding. The solution structures of complexes between DAPI analog and DNA oligomers have been characterized by proton NMR spectroscopy.

Synthesis and DNA binding properties of alkyl-linked bis(benzimidazole) compounds

We have synthesized novel alkyl-linked bis(benzimidazole) compounds and studied their DNA binding properties by spectroscopic (absorption, CD, flow dichroism and fluorescence) and viscosity measurements. The results indicate that bis(benzimidazole) compounds interact with DNA both by intercalation and by groove binding.

Solution structures of the DNA complexes with alkyl-linked bis(benzimidazole) compounds studied by NMR spectroscopy

We have synthesized two novel alkyl-linked bis(benzimidazole) compounds related to pentamidine. The solution structures of 1:1 complexes of these compounds with the self-complementary DNA duplexes, d(CGCGAATTCGCG)2 (A2T2) and d(CGCAAATTTGCG)2 (A3T3) have been studied by one- and two-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopy. The intermolecular NOE data of the A3T3 complexed with compound 3 indicate that 3 binds in the minor groove of the central 5'-CAAATTTG region of A3T3.

Surgical strategy for anterior sacral meningocele

A 25-year-old male presented with an anterior sacral meningocele (ASM) manifesting as repeated urinary tract infections. Surgical correction was completed by simple ligation of the thecal sac next to the ostium via sacral laminectomy, and the thickened filum terminale was sectioned. A 22-year-old female presented with an ASM manifesting as transient difficulty in micturition. Subsequent to sacral laminectomy, the thickened filum terminale was sectioned. However, an aberrant nerve root over the ostium made simple ligation hazardous, so that transdural suture around the ostium was carried out. Complete obliteration was confirmed 5 months after the surgery. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging could clearly demonstrate the involvement of neurologically important structures. Surgical strategy for ASM based on neurosurgical considerations is proposed, because of the frequent association of caudal spinal cord anomaly as well as presacral mass lesion. Intraoperative assistance systems such as endoscopy for cyst content examination and neurophysiological monitorings are recommended. Several months follow up with MR imaging is required to confirm successful surgical correction.

Problems in health management of professional boxers in Japan

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether the incidence of boxing accidents is higher in Japan than in other countries.

METHOD

A nationwide survey of boxers was conducted.

RESULTS

A total of 632 boxers responded. Most Japanese boxers were relatively mature when they started boxing (mean starting age of 19.2 years). A high percentage of boxers was found three weight divisions higher than previously reported. Many boxers stated that losing weight was not a big problem. It was found that a punch that turns the head can cause serious physical damage, and it was clarified that only a simple punch, rather than accumulated damage from multiple punches, can cause cerebral concussion. Severe shock causing retrograde amnesia is very rare after a fight and disappears relatively quickly. Many additional symptoms are related to damage to the hearing organs, such as hearing difficulties, tinnitus, and vertigo, but these symptoms also resolve quickly. Many boxers experience memory disturbance, not just after a fight but in daily life.

CONCLUSION

The approach to boxing has become more oriented towards the method of practice and scientific training, rather than psychological factors, which used to be emphasised.

Postnatal changes in ghrelin mRNA expression and in ghrelin-producing cells in the rat stomach

Ghrelin was recently isolated from the rat stomach as an endogenous ligand for the GH secretagogue receptor. Although it is well known that a large amount of ghrelin is produced in the gastrointestinal tract, developmental changes in ghrelin mRNA expression and differentiation of ghrelin-immunopositive (ghrelin-ip) and mRNA-expressing (ghrelin-ex) cells in the stomach have not been elucidated. In this study, we therefore investigated the changes in ghrelin mRNA expression levels and in the numbers of ghrelin-ip and -ex cells in the stomachs of 1- to 8-week-old male and female rats by Northern blot analysis, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Northern blot analysis showed that the level of weak ghrelin mRNA expression was low in the postnatal period but then increased in a dimorphic pattern, i.e. transient stagnation at 4 weeks in the male rats and at 5 weeks in the female rats. The number of ghrelin-ip and ghrelin-ex cells also increased after birth, and more numerous ghrelin cells were found in female rats than in male rats, and this finding was confirmed by Northern blot analysis. Ghrelin-ip and -ex cells first appeared in the glandular base of the fundic gland and then they were found in the glandular base and the glandular neck at 3 weeks of age, suggesting that the distribution of ghrelin cells is extended from the glandular base to the glandular neck during the postneonatal development period. This is the first report on detailed changes in postneonatal ghrelin expression level and in the number of ghrelin cells in the rat stomach. The sexual dimorphism of ghrelin expression and ghrelin cell differentiation suggest that ghrelin plays an important physiological role in the stomach.

Laminoplasty with preservation of posterior cervical elements: surgical technique

OBJECTIVE

We have developed a modified laminoplasty procedure that preserves the posterior cervical elements, and we have used it to treat multilevel cervical canal stenosis, with or without spondylotic changes, in 30 patients.

METHODS

In this procedure, the posterior bony elements, such as the spinous processes, are not completely detached from the ligaments and musculature and are repositioned in the midline, to maintain normal cervical anatomic relationships. Thirty patients (mean age, 55.2 yr) were registered and evaluated in this study, with a mean follow-up period of 18.1 months, between November 1995 and October 2000. The rates of bony union of the reconstructed laminae and alignment of the cervical spine were assessed by using computed tomographic scans and lateral radiographs.

RESULTS

All patients except one noted some improvement in sensation, motor function, or both. Changes in spinal curvature were noted for two patients for whom a kyphotic deformity had developed before surgery (because of S-shaped or straight curvature). The average decrease in the range of motion was 7.26 degrees. Estimated rates of bony fusion at the sites of the gutters, spacers, and spinous processes were 94.6, 62.3, and 86.6%, respectively. A stable bony arch was assumed to be achieved with bony fusion at the gutters on the hinge side, as well as the spinous processes, approximately 6 months after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Our new technique of cervical laminoplasty preserves the posterior musculature and bony elements. This new procedure also helps maintain correct spinal alignment.

Serum amyloid P component is the Shiga toxin 2-neutralizing factor in human blood

It has been suggested that some factor present in human plasma binds to Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) and neutralizes it in vitro (Bitzan, M., Klemt, M., Steffens, R., and Muller-Wiefel, D. E. (1993) Infection 21, 140-145). This factor does not exist in other species (Caprioli, A., Luzzi, I., Seganti, L., Marchetti, M., Karmali, M., Clarke, I., and Boyd, B. (1994) Recent Adv. VTEC Infect. 353-356). Because analysis of this factor is important to understanding the pathology induced by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, we purified this factor from human plasma and identified it. Purification was carried out by serially subjecting human plasma to Con A-Sepharose, DEAE-Sepharose, hydroxyapatite, and gel-filtration high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), using Stx2-neutralizing activity as the indicator. The gel-filtration HPLC fraction yielded a single band on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Twenty N-terminal amino acid residues of this fraction were analyzed and found to correspond perfectly to human serum amyloid P component (HuSAP). Because commercially available HuSAP also showed Stx2 binding and neutralizing activity, we identified this factor as HuSAP.