Cholelithiasis prevalence and risk factors in individuals with severe or profound intellectual and motor disabilities

BACKGROUND

The prevalence and risk factors of cholelithiasis in individuals with severe or profound intellectual and motor disabilities (SPIMD) are poorly characterised. Thus, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk determinants of cholelithiasis in a cohort with SPIMD under medical care in a residential facility.

METHODS

We categorised 84 patients in a residential hospital for persons with SPIMD into groups: those with (Group CL) and without (Group N) cholelithiasis. Gallstones were detected via computed tomography, ultrasonography or both. We evaluated gastrostomy status, nutritional and respiratory support, constipation, and bladder and kidney stones. Data were significantly analysed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

The prevalence rate of cholelithiasis in our SPIMD cohort was 27%. There were no significant differences in sex, age, weight, height, or Gross Motor Function Classification System between the two groups. However, more patients received enteral nutrition (39.13% vs. 6.56%; P = 0.000751) and were on ventilator support (56.52% vs. 19.67%; P = 0.00249) in Group CL than in Group N. Enteral nutrition [odds ratio (OR) 10.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.98-54.7] and ventilator support (OR 20.0, 95% CI 1.99-201.0) were identified as independent risk factors for the prevalence of cholelithiasis in patients with SPIMD.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with SPIMD demonstrated an increased prevalence of cholelithiasis, with a notable association between nutritional tonic use and respiratory support. Therefore, to emphasise the need for proactive screening, it is crucial to devise diagnostic and therapeutic strategies specific to patients with SPIMD. Further investigation is essential to validate our findings and explore causative factors.

Masticatory Behavior Change with a Wearable Chewing Counter: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Because a relationship has been reported between masticatory behavior, obesity, and postprandial blood glucose, it is recommended to chew well and take a longer time to eat. The purpose of this study was to examine the possibility of changing masticatory behavior using a small ear-hung wearable chewing counter, which can monitor masticatory behavior without disturbing daily meals. In total, 235 healthy volunteers participated in a 4-wk randomized controlled trial and were divided into 3 groups. All participants were instructed about the importance of mastication at the first visit. During the intervention, group B used the chewing counter without an algorithm during each meal (notification of the number of chews after meal), and group C used the chewing counter with a masticatory behavior change algorithm (setting a target value and displaying the number of chews in real time). Group A was set as the control group. The number of chews and the meal time when consuming 1 rice ball (100 g) were measured before and after the intervention using the chewing counter, and the rate of change in these values was evaluated. Participants also provided a subjective evaluation of their changes in masticatory behavior. The number of chews and the meal time of 1 rice ball increased significantly in groups B and C compared with before the intervention, and the rate of change was significantly higher in group C than in group A and group B. In addition, the subjective evaluation of the change in the number of chews was highest in group C. Self-monitoring of masticatory behavior by providing a target value and the degree of achievement for the number of chews using a wearable chewing counter with a behavioral change algorithm could promote effective change in masticatory behavior and lead to an increased number of chews. (Trial ID: UMIN000034476).

Loss of apical suction assessed by noninvasive pressure differences and twist in acute heart failure: a novel method using vector flow mapping

Background

Early diastolic intraventricular pressure difference (IVPD) reflects left ventricular (LV) apical suction, and IVPD is closely related to cardiac function, especially LV twist. Vector Flow Mapping (VFM) allows visualization of regional pressure distribution and noninvasive quantification of IVPD. The purpose of the present study was to investigate if and how IVPDs are related to LV twist in a model of acute heart failure (HF).

Methods

In 15 open-chest dogs, HF was induced by intracoronary injection of microspheres. The HF model was classified into two groups based on the LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) (group1: LVEDP<18 mmHg (n=10), group2: LVEDP≥18 mmHg (n=8)).

Color Doppler images from apical long-axis views were acquired at baseline and during HF. From these images, pressure differences (ΔP) were calculated along the LV inflow tract throughout the cardiac cycle. For the purpose of this study, the differences between apex and base during isovolumic relaxation time (ΔPIRT) and rapid early inflow period (ΔPE) were used for analyses. Furthermore, apical and basal short axis high frame rate 2D images were acquired, and peak rotation and peak twist were analyzed.

Results

LVEDP was 7±9, 14±2, 21±3 mmHg for baseline, group1 HF, and group2 HF, respectively. Pressure differences (both ΔPIRT and ΔPE) were visibly changed by the increase of LVEDP (Figure), and the magnitude of ΔPIRT, ΔPE and peak twist decreased significantly with the severity of heart failure. There were significant relationships between pressure differences (ΔPIRT and ΔPE) and dP/dtmin, tau, EF and peak twist (Table). In multivariate analyses, tau and peak twist were independent predictors for ΔPIRT and peak twist was independent predictor for ΔPE.

Conclusion

VFM analysis is feasible to noninvasively assess the IVPDs in acute heart failure. The IVPDs are closely related to the twisting motion of the LV, and reflect loss of apical suction during severe HF.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. VFM images of pressure differencesCorrelations of pressure differences

Considerations for Antiplatelet Management of Carotid Stenting in the Setting of Mechanical Thrombectomy: A Delphi Consensus Statement

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There are only few data and lack of consensus regarding antiplatelet management for carotid stent placement in the setting of endovascular stroke treatment. We aimed to develop a consensus-based algorithm for antiplatelet management in acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing endovascular treatment and simultaneous emergent carotid stent placement.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a literature search and a modified Delphi approach used Web-based questionnaires that were sent in several iterations to an international multidisciplinary panel of 19 neurointerventionalists from 7 countries. The first round included open-ended questions and formed the basis for subsequent rounds, in which closed-ended questions were used. Participants continuously received feedback on the results from previous rounds. Consensus was defined as agreement of ≥70% for binary questions and agreement of ≥50% for questions with >2 answer options. The results of the Delphi process were then summarized in a draft manuscript that was circulated among the panel members for feedback.

RESULTS

A total of 5 Delphi rounds were performed. Panel members preferred a single intravenous aspirin bolus or, in jurisdictions in which intravenous aspirin is not available, a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor as intraprocedural antiplatelet regimen and a combination therapy of oral aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor in the postprocedural period. There was no consensus on the role of platelet function testing in the postprocedural period.

CONCLUSIONS

More and better data on antiplatelet management for carotid stent placement in the setting of endovascular treatment are urgently needed. Panel members preferred intravenous aspirin or, alternatively, a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor as an intraprocedural antiplatelet agent, followed by a dual oral regimen of aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor in the postprocedural period.

Computational Fluid Dynamics Using a Porous Media Setting Predicts Outcome after Flow-Diverter Treatment

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Knowledge about predictors of the outcome of flow-diverter treatment is limited. The aim of this study was to predict the angiographic occlusion status after flow-diverter treatment with computational fluid dynamics using porous media modeling for decision-making in the treatment of large wide-neck aneurysms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 27 patients treated with flow-diverter stents were retrospectively analyzed through computational fluid dynamics using pretreatment patient-specific 3D rotational angiography. These patients were classified into no-filling and contrast-filling groups based on the O'Kelly-Marotta scale. The patient characteristics, morphologic variables, and hemodynamic parameters were evaluated for understanding the outcomes of the flow-diverter treatment.

RESULTS

The patient characteristics and morphologic variables were similar between the 2 groups. Flow velocity, wall shear stress, shear rate, modified aneurysmal inflow rate coefficient, and residual flow volume were significantly lower in the no-filling group. A novel parameter, called the normalized residual flow volume, was developed and defined as the residual flow volume normalized by the dome volume. The receiver operating characteristic curve analyses demonstrated that the normalized residual flow volume with an average flow velocity of ≥8.0 cm/s in the aneurysmal dome was the most effective in predicting the flow-diverter treatment outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

It was established in this study that the hemodynamic parameters could predict the angiographic occlusion status after flow-diverter treatment.

Exploratory open-label clinical study to determine the S-588410 cancer peptide vaccine-induced tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and changes in the tumor microenvironment in esophageal cancer patients

Cancer vaccines induce cancer-specific T-cells capable of eradicating cancer cells. The impact of cancer peptide vaccines (CPV) on the tumor microenvironment (TME) remains unclear. S-588410 is a CPV comprising five human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*24:02-restricted peptides derived from five cancer testis antigens, DEPDC1, MPHOSPH1, URLC10, CDCA1 and KOC1, which are overexpressed in esophageal cancer. This exploratory study investigated the immunologic mechanism of action of subcutaneous S-588410 emulsified with MONTANIDE ISA51VG adjuvant (median: 5 doses) by analyzing the expression of immune-related molecules, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response and T-lymphocytes bearing peptide-specific T-cell receptor (TCR) sequencing in tumor tissue or blood samples from 15 participants with HLA-A*24:02-positive esophageal cancer. Densities of CD8+, CD8+ Granzyme B+, CD8+ programmed death-1-positive (PD-1+) and programmed death-ligand 1-positive (PD-L1+) cells were higher in post- versus pre-vaccination tumor tissue. CTL response was induced in all patients for at least one of five peptides. The same sequences of peptide-specific TCRs were identified in post-vaccination T-lymphocytes derived from both tumor tissue and blood, suggesting that functional peptide-specific CTLs infiltrate tumor tissue after vaccination. Twelve (80%) participants had treatment-related adverse events (AEs). Injection site reaction was the most frequently reported AE (grade 1, n = 1; grade 2, n = 11). In conclusion, S-588410 induces a tumor immune response in esophageal cancer. Induction of CD8+ PD-1+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and PD-L1 expression in the TME by vaccination suggests S-588410 in combination with anti-PD-(L)1 antibodies may offer a clinically useful therapy.Trial registration UMIN-CTR registration identifier: UMIN000023324.

P1691Impact of dose and duration of dietary salt reduction on blood pressure levels: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials

Background

Authoritative medical and public health agencies in most countries advise to reduce population dietary salt intake to under 5–6 g/day as a strategy for preventing high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. However, there is still dispute about whether salt reduction should be adopted by all populations. In addition, the effect of duration of dietary salt reduction has not been sufficiently investigated.

Purpose

To understand the effect of dietary salt reduction on blood pressure and the impact of intervention duration.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. Randomized controlled trials that allocated participants to low and high salt intake, without confounding from unequal concomitant interventions, were included. We excluded studies done in individuals younger than 18 years, pregnant women, individuals with renal disease or heart failure, and studies with sodium excretion estimated from spot urine. Random effect meta-analysis was used to generate pooled estimates of the effect on 24-hour urinary sodium excretion, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Multivariate meta-regression was used to quantify the dose response effect of dietary salt on blood pressure change and to understand the impact of the intervention duration.

Results

125 studies were included with 162 data points extracted. Ninety-nine data points (61%) had interventions under 4 weeks. Overall, 24-hour urinary sodium excretion changed by −141 mmol (95% CI: −156; −126), systolic blood pressure changed by −4.4 mm Hg (95% CI: −5.2; −3.7) and diastolic blood pressure changed by −2.4 mm Hg (95% CI: −2.9; −1.9). Sodium reduction resulted in a significant decrease of systolic blood pressure in all subgroups except in participants with low baseline sodium intake (<109 mmol) (Figure 1). Each 100 mmol reduction of sodium was associated with 2.7 mm Hg (95% CI: 1.0; 4.4; p=0.002) reduction of systolic blood pressure and 1.2 mm Hg (95% CI: 0.0; 2.4; p=0.046) reduction of diastolic blood pressure after adjusting for intervention duration, age, sex, race, baseline blood pressure, baseline sodium intake and interaction between age and baseline blood pressure. For the same amount of salt reduction, a 10 mm Hg higher baseline systolic blood pressure would result in 2.5 mm Hg greater reduction of systolic blood pressure. There is not enough evidence to show the impact of intervention duration.

Figure 1

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis showed that sodium reduction could reduce blood pressure in all adult populations regardless of age, sex and race. The effect of salt reduction on systolic blood pressure increases with higher baseline blood pressure. Further studies, designed to investigate the impact of intervention duration, are needed to understand the significance of the duration.

Acknowledgement/Funding

None

Development of a dual beamlet monitor system for negative ion beam measurements

To evaluate negative ion beam properties, a dual beamlet monitor system has been developed. The dual beamlet monitor system has two diagnostics in one hexagonal box. One diagnostic is a "fast beamlet monitor" for measuring the time evolution of beamlet current profiles with the time resolution of up to 25 MHz. The other diagnostic is a "pepper-pot-type phase space analyzer," which is applied for the evaluation of a phase space structure of the negative ion beamlet. The dual beamlet monitor system is applied to the measurement of the beamlet in the Neutral Beam Test Stand at National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS-NBTS), in which the beam accelerator is almost identical to those of working beam injectors in the large helical device. It is demonstrated that the overlapping components from the neighboring beamlet can be eliminated, and the phase space structure can be obtained for the single beamlet.

Follow-up Study on Intra-Aneurysmal Embolization for Unruptured Cerebral Aneurysms

We describe follow-up clinical and angiographical results in patients with unruptured cerebral aneurysms treated with IDC or GDC. In 28 patients who underwent intra-aneurysmal occlusion for unruptured aneurysms, there were no permanent neurological deficits in the periprocedural period, while three transient neurological deficits were observed.

On the angiograms obtained immediately after the procedure, complete aneurysmal occlusion was achieved in three patients (10.7%), a small neck remnant was detected in two cases (7.1%), a body filling in 12 cases (42.9%) and both of them were detected in 11 patients (39.3%). On the follow up angiograms (median angiographical follow-up period 15.6 months), 46.4% of incompletely obliterated aneurysms showed aneurysmal recanalization, and a incompletely embolized aneurysm ruptured 15 months after initial embolization.

Detachable platinum coil embolization is a safe treatment for unruptured aneurysms with a lower incidence of peri-procedural morbidity, wheareas follow-up results are less satisfactory in cases involving incompletely obliterated lesions. With this limitation in mind, patients need to be very carefully chosen for GDC embolization and strict follow-up angiography is mandatory when a complete embolization is not achieved.

How to Embolize Wide-Necked Aneurysms?

Novel endovascular approaches are needed for safer and more definitive treatment of wide-necked aneurysms, to overcome the limitations of the Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC) system and further, the application of this technique.

The double GDC technique (DGT), for embolization of wide-necked aneurysms, and the combination of stent placement and coil deposition (CTSC) for management of fusiform aneurysms have been developed and their usefulness is reviewed. The DGT involves scaffolding of a GDC coil to form a stabilizing frame inside the aneurysmal neck and then positioning of a second coil to reinforce the first coil. After confirming the absence of coil herniation in the parent artery, both coils are released together. A patient with a wide-necked large aneurysm of the left internal carotid artery was treated using this technique, and followed up angiographically and clinically for a period of three months. The follow-up angiograms revealed complete embolization of the aneurysm.

The patient had no neurological changes or adverse events during the procedure. The CTSC involves reconstructing the artery with a stent and packing the aneurysm lumen with GDCs through the stent interstices. A patient with a dissecting fusiform aneurysm of the vertebral artery associated with hypoplasia of the contralateral vertebral artery was treated using this technique to prevent rebleeding. His clinical course was uneventful over a six-month follow-up period. Angiography performed two months after the procedure confirmed excellent flow through the right vertebral artery and absence of filling of the daughter aneurysm.

Efficacy of an enteral feeding protocol for providing nutritional support after paediatric cardiac surgery

Enteral nutrition (EN) is considered to be a more appropriate method than parenteral feeding for providing nutrition to critically ill children. However, children who undergo cardiac surgery are at high risk of postoperative gastrointestinal complications during EN. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of our EN feeding protocol after paediatric cardiac surgery through comparison between a single-centre prospective case series and historical cases. Forty-seven children who were admitted to the ICU after cardiac surgery were enrolled ('post group'). Data for these children were compared with a similar cohort of children who were admitted before the implementation of the feeding protocol (n=62; 'pre group'). The incidence of complications including vomiting, necrotising enterocolitis and hypoglycaemia; the time until the initiation of EN; and the changes in calories provided were compared between the groups. The frequency of vomiting was significantly lower in the post group than in the pre group (36.2% versus 58.0%, P=0.038), and necrotising enterocolitis did not occur in either group. The time until the initiation of EN and the total calories provided did not differ significantly; however, in the post group the proportion of energy provided by parenteral nutrition was significantly smaller (P <0.001), and provided by EN was significantly larger (P=0.003), than in the pre group. The frequency of hypoglycaemia was similar in both groups. This study showed that our EN protocol resulted in adjustments to calories provided via EN versus parenteral nutrition after paediatric cardiac surgery, and reduced the frequency of vomiting.

Morphologic Features of Carotid Plaque Rupture Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Rupture of the plaque fibrous cap and subsequent thrombosis are the major causes of stroke. This study evaluated morphologic features of plaque rupture in the carotid artery by using optical coherence tomography in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-six carotid plaques with high-grade stenosis were prospectively imaged by optical coherence tomography. "Plaque rupture" was defined as a plaque containing a cavity that had overlying residual fibrous caps. The fibrous cap thickness was measured at its thinnest part for both ruptured and nonruptured plaques. The distance between the minimum fibrous cap thickness site and the bifurcation point was also measured. Optical coherence tomography identified 24 ruptured and 12 nonruptured plaques.

RESULTS

Multiple ruptures were observed in 9 (38%) patients: Six patients had 2 ruptures in the same plaque, 2 patients had 3 ruptures in the same plaque, and 1 patient had 5 ruptures in the same plaque. Most (84%) of the fibrous cap disruptions were identified at the plaque shoulder and near the bifurcation point (within a 4.2-mm distance). The median thinnest cap thickness was 80 μm (interquartile range, 70-100 μm), and 95% of ruptured plaques had fibrous caps of <130 μm. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that a fibrous cap thickness of <130 μm was the critical threshold value for plaque rupture in the carotid artery.

CONCLUSIONS

Plaque rupture was common in high-grade stenosis and was located at the shoulder of the carotid plaque close to the bifurcation. A cap thickness of <130 μm was the threshold for plaque rupture in the carotid artery.

High-impedance wire grid method to study spatiotemporal behavior of hot electron clump generated in a plasma

High-impedance Wire Grid (HIWG) detector has been developed to study spatiotemporal behavior of a hot electron clump generated in an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma. By measuring the floating potentials of the wire electrodes, and generating structure matrix made of geometrical means of the floating potentials, the HIWG detector reconstructs the spatial distribution of high-temperature electron clump at an arbitrary instant of time. Time slices of the spike event in floating potential revealed the growth and decay process of a hot spot occurs in an ECR plasma.

Run-up to participation in ATACH II in Japan

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Japan. Seventeen Japanese institutions are participating in the Antihypertensive Treatment for Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage (ATACH) II Trial (ClinicalTrials.gov no. NCT01176565; UMIN 000006526). This phase III trial is designed to determine the therapeutic benefit of early intensive systolic blood pressure (BP) lowering for acute hypertension in ICH patients. This report explains the long run-up to reach the start of patient registration in ATACH II in Japan, including our preliminary study, a nationwide survey on antihypertensive treatment for acute ICH patients, a multicenter study for hyperacute BP lowering (the SAMURAI-ICH study), revision of the official Japanese label for intravenous nicardipine, and construction of the infrastructure for the trial.

A Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, fasudil, prevents matrix metalloproteinase-9-related hemorrhagic transformation in mice treated with tissue plasminogen activator

Thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is the only FDA-approved therapy for acute ischemic stroke. However, hemorrhagic transformation, neurotoxicity, and a short treatment time window comprise major limitations for thrombolytic therapy. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether fasudil, a Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, would prevent tPA-associated hemorrhagic transformation and extend the reperfusion window in an experimental stroke model in mice. Mice subjected to 6-h middle cerebral artery occlusion were treated with delayed tPA alone, with combined tPA plus fasudil, or with a vehicle. We used histological and neurobehavioral measures to assess the effects of the treatment at 18 h and 7 days after the reperfusion. To investigate the mechanism of fasudil's beneficial effects further, we also performed an in vitro study with tPA and fasudil in human brain microvascular endothelial cells. Combination therapy with tPA plus fasudil prevented the development of hemorrhagic transformation, but did not reduce the infarct volumes. These changes significantly reduced mortality and increased locomotor activity at 7 days after the reperfusion. Furthermore, the administration of both drugs prevented injury to the human brain endothelial cells via the reduction of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity. These findings indicate that fasudil prevents the hemorrhagic transformation induced by focal cerebral ischemia in mice treated with tPA, at least in part, by inhibiting the increased activity of MMP-9 in endothelial cells.

Visualization of internal carotid artery atherosclerotic plaques in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients: a comparison of optical coherence tomography and intravascular ultrasound

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

OCT has been reported as a high-resolution imaging tool for characterizing plaque in the coronary arteries. The present study aimed to evaluate the ability of OCT to visualize carotid artery plaques compared with that of IVUS in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

OCT was performed for 34 plaques (17 symptomatic, 17 asymptomatic) in 30 patients during CAS under a proximal cerebral protection method. OCT was performed before balloon angioplasty and after stent placement. IVUS was also performed just after OCT.

RESULTS

No technical or neurologic complications were encountered by using OCT. An inner catheter was used in 12 of 34 procedures (35.3%) for advancing the OCT image wire beyond the site of stenosis. OCT clearly visualized intraluminal thrombus in 15 of 34 plaques (44.1%), whereas IVUS detected a thrombus in 1 plaque (2.9%, P < .001). Neovascularization was demonstrated in 13 of 34 plaques (38.2%) by OCT, but not by IVUS (0%, P < .001). Intraluminal thrombus was more frequently observed in symptomatic plaques (13 of 17, 76.5%) than in asymptomatic plaques (2 of 17, 11.8%; P < .001). Interobserver and intraobserver variability with OCT diagnosis was excellent for thrombus, ulceration, neovascularization, and lipid pool.

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings suggest that OCT can safely and precisely visualize human carotid plaques during CAS and that intraluminal thrombus and neovascularization are more frequently detected in symptomatic plaques.

Abstract P6-08-02: Comparative Analysis between Primary and Secondary in Breast Tumors by Polymorphysim of Androgen Receptor Gene and Mitochondria D-Loop Somatic Mutation

Background: It has not been fully understood how we can differentiate a new primary breast cancer from a recurrent tumor, when second tumor arises in ipsilateral breast after the surgery for primary breast cancer. To address this research question, we estimate the usefulness of a method analyzing polymorphism of androgen receptor gene and mitochondrial D-loop somatic mutation.

Materials and methods: 1) Select patients: Among the 558 patients who received the breast conservative surgery in Tokai University Hospital (1991∼2004), 9 ipsilateral breast tumors and 11 contralateral breast tumors were submitted for the analysis. 2) Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) sections of non-neoplastic lymph node were examined whether polymorphism of AR gene present or not. 3) When polymorphism of AR gene in non-neoplastic lymphoid tissue were demonstrated, ipsilateral and contralateral breast cancers were further examined. 4) When AR gene in breast cancers on same allele in primary and secondary tumors, FFPE sections were further analyzed by mutaion analysis of mitochondrial D-loop region.

Results: 1) Polymorphism of AR was demonstrated in 8/9 (88.9%) and 9/11 (81.8%) non-neoplastic lymph nodes obtained from the patients who had ipsilateral and contralateral breast tumor, respectively. 2) Only 2 of 8 ipsilateral breast cancers demonstrated AR polymorphism different from primary cancer. In contrast, 6 of 9 contralateral breast cancers had different polymorphism for AR from primary breast cancers. 3) Analysis of mitochondrial D-loop mutation showed that 8 seconary ipsilateral cancers had different mutation in 3/8 (37.5%), identical mutation in 3/8 (37.5%), and no mutation in 2/8 (25.0%).

Results of analysis for ipsilateral secondary breast cancers

Conclusion: Half of the ipsilateral in breast secondary tumors were estimated as new primary lesions by molecular estimation. Combination analyses of AR gene polymorphism and mitochondrial D-loop somatic mutation unable us to distinguish between true recurrent or new primary cancers.

Experimental studies on ion acceleration and stream line detachment in a diverging magnetic field

The flow structure of ions in a diverging magnetic field has been experimentally studied in an electron cyclotron resonance plasma. The flow velocity field of ions has been measured with directional Langmuir probes calibrated with the laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy. For low ion-temperature plasmas, it is concluded that the ion acceleration due to the axial electric field is important compared with that of gas dynamic effect. It has also been found that the detachment of ion stream line from the magnetic field line takes place when the parameter |f(ci)L(B)∕V(i)| becomes order unity, where f(ci), L(B), and V(i) are the ion cyclotron frequency, the characteristic scale length of magnetic field inhomogeneity, and the ion flow velocity, respectively. In the detachment region, a radial electric field is generated in the plasma and the ions move straight with the E×B rotation driven by the radial electric field.

Identification of animal species using the partial sequences in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene

This study investigated a PCR direct sequencing method for species identification by analyzing partial sequences in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA genes of many animal species amplified with universal primers. Samples from 182 vertebrates and 103 invertebrates were analyzed, and the sequences could be obtained in 182 and 72 species, respectively. The sequence divergence was sufficient to identify the species at the level of genus with the aid of the GenBank database and the BLAST tool. This method could be a powerful tool for animal species identification, especially in forensic cases in which many unknown biological samples should be analyzed.

The proof of flat-line scalp EEGs of brain dead patients by an automatic EEG analysis system

Scalp electroencephalograms (EEGs) of brain dead patients are macroscopically flat under 7 or 10 microV/mm electroencephalograph sensitivity, but significant noises are detected in EEGs under 2 microV/mm sensitivity, interfering with the analysis. EEGs of 20 brain dead patients (17-76 years old) were therefore analyzed quantitatively as equivalent electric potentials in frequency bands delta, theta, alpha and beta using the automatic EEG analysis system developed in Kansai Medical University. The equivalent electric potentials in each band were about or less than 1 microV, which is used as a criterion of judgment of flat-line EEGs or brain death. Then, macroscopically flat EEGs of 12 comatose patients including infants (3-67 years old) were analyzed by the system, confirming their brain death. Thus, the automatic EEG analysis system could be used as a supporting tool to confirm flat-line EEGs of brain dead patients. ATAMAP II for Windows software was also evaluated.

Frontal bone window improves the ability of transcranial color-coded sonography to visualize the anterior cerebral artery of Asian patients with stroke

The frontal bone window (FBW) is a promising approach in evaluating the anterior cerebral artery. The goal of the present study was to determine the rates of detection of the basal cerebral arteries by using the FBW alone and a combination of the FBW with the temporal bone window (TBW) in 163 patients. The combined application improved detection rates of A1 (58.6% versus 46.0%, P = .001) and A2 (43.6% versus 6.7%, P < .001) compared with the TBW alone.

Strategy for Prevention of Restenosis after PTA. Clinical and Basic Approaches

SUMMARY

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) has been a useful therapy to treat stenosis of cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) or vertebral artery (VA). Here we show that our clinical results regarding preventive effect of stenting on restenosis after PTA in the ICA and VA origin. We also show our experimental studies with gene transfer techniques aiming reduction of restenosis after balloon-injury in rat carotid artery. It has been reported that drug-eluting stent inhibits restenosis after coronary angioplasty. Further understanding of the mechanism of restenosis and application of these new modalities may lead to better clinical results in angioplasty of the craniocervical arteries.

Metabolic assessment of gliomas using 11C-methionine, [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose, and 11C-choline positron-emission tomography

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Positron-emission tomography (PET) is a useful tool in oncology. The aim of this study was to assess the metabolic activity of gliomas using (11)C-methionine (MET), [(18)F] fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), and (11)C-choline (CHO) PET and to explore the correlation between the metabolic activity and histopathologic features.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PET examinations were performed for 95 primary gliomas (37 grade II, 37 grade III, and 21 grade IV). We measured the tumor/normal brain uptake ratio (T/N ratio) on each PET and investigated the correlations among the tracer uptake, tumor grade, tumor type, and tumor proliferation activity. In addition, we compared the ease of visual evaluation for tumor detection.

RESULTS

All 3 of the tracers showed positive correlations with astrocytic tumor (AT) grades (II/IV and III/IV). The MET T/N ratio of oligodendroglial tumors (OTs) was significantly higher than that of ATs of the same grade. The CHO T/N ratio showed a significant positive correlation with histopathologic grade in OTs. Tumor grade and type influenced MET uptake only. MET T/N ratios of more than 2.0 were seen in 87% of all of the gliomas. All of the tracers showed significantly positive correlations with Mib-1 labeling index in ATs but not in OTs and oligoastrocytic tumors.

CONCLUSION

MET PET appears to be useful in evaluating grade, type, and proliferative activity of ATs. CHO PET may be useful in evaluating the potential malignancy of OTs. In terms of visual evaluation of tumor localization, MET PET is superior to FDG and CHO PET in all of the gliomas, due to its straightforward detection of "hot lesions".