Relationship between Dynamics of Physiological Signals and Subjective Quality of Life and Its Lifestyle Dependency

In terms of preventive healthcare, how adopted lifestyle maintains healthy states or leads to pathological states is an essential issue. In this study, for the healthy subjects, their daily patterns of heart rate variability (HRV) and behavioral activity dynamics were analyzed in association with subjective quality of life (QOL), and how the relationship between the physiological signal dynamics and QOL is differentiated by the chronotype (sleep-wake pattern) was investigated. As a result, the morning type subjects were found to show higher sequential variation in R-R interval (rMSSD) and behavioral activity, and to have higher sleep quality and non-depressive tendency. Even the evening type subjects could have higher sleep quality under the condition that rMSSD shows a dip around early afternoon and keep a higher level of activity during the daytime, which may be due to realization of steady entrainment to the circadian time cues. Through this study, fundamental knowledge for preventive healthcare was obtained for us to help people's choice of an appropriate lifestyle for their health.

Spontaneously complete regression of pseudolymphoma of the remnant pancreas after pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic pseudolymphoma is extremely rare.

METHOD

We present multiple pseudolymphomas in the head and body of the pancreas. The hypoechoic lesions observed by endoscopic ultrasound were enhanced in late-phase angio-computed tomography and homogeneously hypointensive in T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography showed strong accumulation in the lesions. The lesions were suspected to be non-functioning islet cell carcinoma. The intraoperative pathological diagnosis for the specimen obtained by a pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was non-neoplastic lymphoid cells. The remnant lesion in the pancreatic body was preserved.

RESULTS

Macroscopically, the mass was well-circumscribed gray-white colored lesion. The pathological diagnosis was pancreatic pseudolymphoma. The lesion in the remnant pancreas spontaneously disappeared within one year after the operation.

CONCLUSION

The differential diagnosis of pancreatic pseudolymphoma from malignant tumor is very difficult, however, the image findings demonstrated here may be informative. The spontaneous disappearance of pancreatic pseudolymphoma was firstly observed in the present case.

Comparison of clinicopathological characteristics of curatively resected pancreatic head and body/tail ductal cancers

Few studies exist comparing the clinicopathological features between resectable pancreatic head (Ph) and body/tail ductal cancer (Pbt). Eighty consecutive patients with resectable tumors (Ph-56, Pbt-24) were analyzed. Tumor size was the only significant difference in clinicopathological factors between Ph and Pbt (Ph<Pbt). Although the MSTs between Ph and Pbt were not significant different, the 1-year survival rate of Ph was significantly greater than that of Pbt (67.9% versus 41.7%; p = 0.028). There were no significantly differences of recurrent rates between Ph and Pbt for individual recurrent sites. In Ph, highly metastasized LN stations were No.13 (on the posterior aspect of the head of the pancreas) at 48.2%, No.17 (on the anterior surface of the head of the pancreas) at 21.4%, No.12 (in the hepatoduodenal ligament) at 10.7%, and No.14 (along the superior mesenteric artery) at 8.9%. In Pbt, No.11 LN station (along the splenic artery) was frequently metastasized (41.7%). Although the metastasized LN stations were different between Ph and Pbt by anatomical reason, biological malignant behaviors such as the LN metastasis rate, the overall survival, and the recurrent pattern were similar.

Inhibitory effect of histamine on axonal transport in cultured mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons

Histamine is important in mediating peripheral sensory information such as inflammation, allergic hypersensitivity, and itch. In the present study, using video-enhanced microscopy, we investigated the effect of histamine on axonal transport in cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons of the mouse. Application of histamine (100 microM) reversibly reduced the number of particles transported within neurites in both anterograde and retrograde directions. The histamine H(1)-receptor agonist 2-thiazolylethylamine (100 microM) and the H(3)-receptor agonist R-alpha-methylhistamine (100 microM) also reduced anterograde and retrograde axonal transport, whereas the histamine H(2)-receptor agonist dimaprit (100-1000 microM) had no effect. The effect of histamine was partially blocked by pretreatment with H(1)-receptor antagonist pyrilamine (1 microM) or the H(3)-receptor antagonist thioperamide (1 microM). Pretreatment with a combination of pyrilamine (1 microM) and thioperamide (1 microM) completely blocked the response to histamine. The H(2)-receptor antagonist cimetidine (1 microM) was ineffective. These results suggest that histamine inhibits axonal transport of cultured mouse DRG neurons via the activation of H(1)- and H(3)-receptors.

Unique behavior of rubidium in mice under low oxygen atmosphere. Simultaneous tracing of Sc, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, Se, Rb, Y, and Zr using off radioactive multitracer technique

Relative tissue distributions of Sc, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, Se, Rb, Y, and Zr tracers were studied in young mice housed under four different O2 atmospheres (10 percent, 20 percent, 80 percent, and 100 percent O2) using the radioactive multitracer technique developed at The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN). At 48 hr after injection of the multitracer, the tissue uptake rates were examined for 10 tissues (brain, cardiac muscle, lung, liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, skeletal muscle, bone, and blood) and expressed as the radioactivity percentage of the injected dose per gram of wet tissue (percent dose/g). Rubidium uptake rates for all soft tissues of mice housed under a 10 percent O2 atmosphere were found to be higher than those of the tissues of mice housed under the other three O2 atmospheres (20 percent, 80 percent, and 100 percent), but no difference was observed for the other elements (Sc, Mn, Fe, Co, Se, etc.) under any of the O2 atmospheres.

Biodistribution of trace elements in normal, aluminum-overloaded and cadmium-overloaded mice. An application of the radioactive multitracer technique

The radioactive multitracer technique was applied to simultaneous evaluation of biobehavior of many trace elements in normal, Al-overloaded and Cd-overloaded mice. The tissue and subcellular distributions of Be, Sc, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Ru, and Rh were examined by using a multitracer solution, prepared from an Ag target irradiated with heavy ions, in 9 organs (brain, cardiac muscle, lung, liver, spleen, pancreas, kidney, skeletal muscle, and bone) and blood. Their tissue and subcellular distributions were evaluated by gamma-ray spectrometry in terms of tissue uptake rate (the radioactivity percentage of injected dose per gram of tissue, percent of dose/g) and fractionation percentage (the radioactivity percentage of nuclear fraction, mitochondrial fraction, microsomal fraction or supernatant fraction, percent), respectively. Comparative biobehavior of these elements in brain and liver is reported. Aluminium- and Cd-induced synergistic interactions were observed among these trace elements in their liver uptake behavior.

Bone uptake of vanadium in mice: simultaneous tracing of V, Se, Sr, Y, Zr, Ru and Rh using a radioactive multitracer

The radioactive multitracer technique, which enables simultaneous tracing of a number of elements in a variety of bio-systems and an accurate comparison of their biobehavior, was employed in a study on uptake behavior of trace elements in various mice tissues, focusing on uptake of V by bone. We found that the bone uptake behavior of trace V closely resembles that of trace Sr and Y. It is suggested that V is a bone-seeking element which probably plays an important role in bone formation. The multitracer technique was thus shown to be useful for comparative studies of behavior of trace elements in living organisms.

Monozygotic twin patients with congenital ichthyosis, microcephalus, spastic quadriplegia, myoclonus, and EEG abnormalities

A pair of monozygotic twins manifested widespread ichthyosis on the trunk and extremities, mainly on the extensor surface of the lower legs. Both patients had severe developmental retardation, microcephalus, spastic quadriplegia, myoclonus, and hearing impairment. Cranial computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed diffuse cortical atrophy. Electroencephalography documented diffuse slow wave dysrhythmia and marked epileptic discharges, namely bilateral occipital dominant, and low-voltage multifocal spikes which appeared asynchronously as a burst, mainly during sleep. Skin biopsy revealed hyperkeratosis with parakeratosis. Granular cell layer was not thickened and diminished. Papillomatosis was absent. Electron microscopy did not reveal any distinctive abnormalities. Sjögren-Larsson syndrome and other known ichthyosis syndromes were excluded because of the difference in localization of skin lesions, skin manifestations, lack of papillomatosis, the nature and severity of neurologic symptoms and marked electroencephalographic abnormalities.

Myoclonus epilepsy with ragged-red fibers: a clinical and electrophysiologic follow-up study on two sibling cases

We performed a 5-year clinical and electrophysiologic follow-up study on two sibling cases with myoclonus epilepsy with ragged-red fibers. Both had myoclonus, intention tremor, slight muscle weakness, slight mental disturbance, hearing impairment, and optic atrophy. Neither had epileptic attacks or truncal or gait ataxia. Biochemical activity of cytochrome c oxidase was at the lower limit of the normal range of values, and an adenine to guanine transition mutation at nucleotide 8344 in the transfer RNA specific for lysine of mitochondrial DNA was detected in both cases. The electroencephalograms showed slowing of basic patterns, diffuse spike-and-wave complexes, occipital dominant wave-and-spike phantoms, 6- and 14-Hz positive spikes, and photosensitivity. No definite deterioration of basic patterns was seen, and diffuse spike-and-wave complexes and photosensitivity gradually disappeared during the slowly progressive clinical course. P2 latencies of pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials throughout the clinical course and III through V interpeak latencies of auditory brainstem responses at follow-up were prolonged without giant sensory evoked potentials in both cases.

Treatment of intractable childhood epilepsy with high-dose valproate

Forty-six children with refractory epilepsy (12 with symptomatic generalized epilepsy, 14 with symptomatic partial epilepsy, and 20 with undetermined epilepsy) were treated by high-dose (serum level above 100 micrograms/ml) valproate (VPA) therapy. Monotherapy was used with 34 patients and two drugs with 12. Serum VPA concentrations ranged from 105.1 to 198.4 micrograms/ml. Assessment of initial response to treatment, after the serum level had reached the appropriate level, showed seizures to be completely controlled in 15 (32.6%) of 46 patients and improved in 12 (26.1%) (50% or more). Follow-up of more than 6 months after the time of initial response showed control of seizures in 14 (30.4%) and improvement in 11 (23.9%). The initial effect on EEG was the disappearance of epileptic discharges in 3 (6.5%) of 46 patients and marked improvement in 15 (32.6%). Follow-up revealed the disappearance of epileptic discharges in 7 (15.2%) and marked improvement in 9 patients (19.6%). High-dose VPA therapy was especially effective for West syndrome and for epilepsy with continuous spike-waves during slow-wave sleep. Control of atypical absences and myoclonic seizures was relatively good. Hypofibrinogenemia and thrombocytopenia were sometimes encountered but these side effects were reversible with reduction of dosage.

Dipole tracing in childhood epilepsy with special reference to rolandic epilepsy

To assess the clinical applicability of dipole tracing in childhood epilepsy, the location and stability of electric source generator of focal spikes seen in EEG of epileptic children were investigated using this method. The patients were divided into 3 groups; benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BCECS, Group A, n = 14), other types of epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (Group B, n = 15) and epilepsy with focal spikes in other areas (Group C, n = 13). The spike dipole in each group was analyzed using dipole tracing method. The following results were obtained. (1) The spikes of BCECS were characterized by constantly stable dipoles, compared to those of the other types of childhood epilepsy. The spikes of epileptic children with mental retardation mostly lacked the stability of dipoles. These seemed to suggest that the stability of dipoles was closely related to the prognosis and pathophysiology of epilepsy. (2) The dipoles of BCECS were localized strictly in the Rolandic area. Dipole tracing from EEG spikes was considered to contribute to the elucidation of the pathophysiology of childhood epilepsy.

Long-term prognosis of the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome

A long-term follow-up study of 89 patients of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) disclosed the persistent occurrence of seizures in 68 patients (76.4%) and severe mental defect in 48 (53.9%). An analysis of the correlation between the mental and seizure prognoses confirmed that the persistence of minor seizures could result in mental deterioration. An examination of the evolutional changes in EEG demonstrated that diffuse slow spike-waves characteristic of LGS gradually disappeared, while focal epileptic discharges, especially multifocal spikes, appeared in spite of the persistence of minor seizures. The diagnostic criteria were satisfied in only 31 (47.0%) of 66 patients with the persistence of minor seizures. Patients with multiple independent spike foci and minor seizures were considered to belong to a specific type of epilepsy, namely the severe epilepsy with multiple independent spike foci (the severe epilepsy with MISF). The seizure and mental prognoses were poorer in patients who evolved into the severe epilepsy with MISF than others.

Rational treatment of refractory epilepsy in childhood

A multifaceted study on childhood refractory epilepsy disclosed an insufficient classification of epilepsies and epileptic seizures, and inappropriate polypharmacy as the most important factors preventing appropriate therapy. By means of an adjustment of AEDs based on the accurate classification of epilepsies and epileptic seizures, the number of AEDs could be reduced in 37.5% and monotherapy was successful in 13.8% of refractory cases. Most of the latter were those of partial epilepsy and generalized epilepsy with the monoseizure type. The exacerbation of seizures due to AEDs was also mentioned as one of the important side effects of AEDs.

[Clinical evaluation of a new tumor marker, CA 15-3, in breast cancer; a comparative study with CEA]

Recently, a new RIA method has been developed by Centocor Co., utilizing the monoclonal antibody CA 15-3. We performed a clinical trial to evaluate its utility as a tumor marker for breast cancer in comparison with CEA. We set 15 U/ml as the cut-off value of serum CA 15-3 level from results acquired from controls; 10 volunteers and 17 patients with non-malignant diseases. The CA 15-3 positive rate among the cases of primary breast cancer was 13.3%, which was of poor diagnostic value. In the recurrent cases the positive rate of CA 15-3 was 72.0%, which was valuable compared with that of serum CEA, 52.0%. In the cases of primary cancers other than breast cancer, the positive rate of CA 15-3 was 6.9%.

Thallium-201 radioactive implant induced X-ray emission scanning of stable iodine distribution in thyroid--phantom experiment

A new method has been developed for imaging the thyroid gland by the use of 201Tl radioactive implant induced X-ray emission (RIXE). The thyroid phantom was made from two cylindrical tubes embedded in plastic neck phantom. Each tube consisted of stable iodine and 201Tl radioactive source in 10 ml water solution. Some photopeaks in the energy range from 20 to 200 ke V were scanned along a horizontal axis by the collimated Ge detector with high energy resolution. The distribution on the horizontal axis was obtained for the generated I K alpha-ray and some primary 201Tl radiations. The 201Tl RIXE scanning can provide information about the distribution of iodine with 201Tl as well as 201Tl distribution in the thyroid gland. The effectiveness of the 201Tl RIXE technique as a thyroid scanning method is discussed.

[A case of remission of metastatic gastric cancer lesions in the chest and abdominal wall by 5'-DFUR administration]

52-year-old female was weakened and bed-ridden by metastasis of gastric cancer to the chest and abdominal wall, and peritonitis carcinomatosa 2 years after gastrectomy. One week after administration of 5'-DFUR, 1200 mg/d, p.o., a clinical effect was seen. In 3 weeks metastatic lesions had diminished in size, ascites had decreased and the patient had regained her appetite and put on weight. She recovered sufficiently to be able to do some daily work. Pathological degeneration and necrosis of cancer cells were observed. Although she died 8 months after remission, 5'-DFUR was effective in improving her condition and prolonging her life.

Radioactive implant induced x-ray emission technique for noninvasive determination of iodine content in thyroid: experimental study

A new technique, radioactive implant x-ray emission spectrometry to determine the in vivo iodine content of the human thyroid is proposed. The variations of counting rate and effective excitation efficiencies of I K alpha (28.6 keV) with iodine content, thyroid volume and skin-thyroid distance were studied for the 201Tl source to examine the properties of excitation and photon attenuation. As a result, the gland depth and volume could be estimated from the peak ratios of 30.7 keV/167.6 keV and 28.6 keV/167.6 keV. Using a 1 MBq 201Tl implant source, the detectable minimum iodine concentration found was approximately 70 micrograms/g for 2000 s measuring time in the phantom experiment. The effectiveness of the RIXE technique is discussed. It was concluded that the 201Tl RIXE spectrometry might serve to determine the in vivo iodine content of the human thyroid.

[Clinical study of preoperative chemotherapy of primary breast cancer. 1. Efficacy of a combined use of CPA (endoxan) and FT-207 (or 5-FU dry syrup)]

In twenty-nine cases of primary breast cancer preoperative treatment using CPA and FT-207 (or 5-FUDS) was performed to determine their efficacy. Daily dose of each anticancer drugs was as follows: CPA 50-200 mg, FT-207 200-600 mg, 5-FUDS 200 mg, p.o.. The total doses were CPA 1.8 g, FT-207 5.0g, 5-FUDS 3.4 g in average. In 11 cases (37.9%) reduction in tumor size was obtained. According to Ohboshi's criteria, over Grade II a effect was seen in 5 cases (17.2%), while Grade III effect was not seen in any of the cases. Effective cases were more frequently observed among those which received CPA at 25 mg/kg or more, or FT-207 (5-FUDS) at 80 mg/kg or more. Main side effects were G. I tract symptoms such as anorexia and nausea. To obtain definitive conclusion on the clinical significance of use of CPA and FT-207 (5-FUDS) as preoperative chemotherapy for breast cancer, further studies are required.

Simultaneous extraction and fractionation and thin layer chromatographic determination of 14 mycotoxins in grains

A simple, systematic analytical method for multiple mycotoxins was developed for detecting 14 mycotoxins; aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2, sterigmatocystin, T-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol, neosolaniol, fusarenon X, zearalenone, ochratoxin A, citrinin, luteoskyrin, and rugulosin. These mycotoxins were extracted with 20% H2SO4-4% KCl-acetonitrile (2 + 20 + 178), defatted with isooctane, and transferred to chloroform. The chloroform extract was cleaned up by silica gel column chromatography; the first 10 toxins were eluted with chloroform-methanol (97 + 3) and the remaining 4 toxins with benzene-acetone-acetic acid (75 + 20 + 5). Each fraction was analyzed by thin layer chromatography for the final determination. The method has been applied to polished rice, rough rice, corn, wheat, and peanuts as an analytical screening procedure. The detection limits in these commodities ranged from 10.00 to 800.0 microgram/kg, depending on the mycotoxin, but all limits were superior to those obtained for the individual mycotoxins by using other methods.