Diagnostic Accuracy of Status by Conventional Endoscopy: Time-Trend Change After Eradication and Impact of Endoscopic Image Quality.

Aim: To assess the time trend of diagnostic accuracy of pre- and post-eradication status and interobserver agreement of gastric atrophy grading.

Methods: A series 100 of conventional endoscopic image sets taken from subjects undergoing gastric cancer screening at a polyclinic were evaluated by 5 experienced assessors. Each assessor independently examined endoscopic findings according to the Kyoto classification and then determined the status (never, current, or past infected).

Colonic pseudolipomatosis, microscopically classified into two groups.

Background: Colonic pseudolipomatosis is rare and the pathogenesis is controversial. The purpose of the present paper was to clarify endoscopic and histological characteristics of colonic pseudolipomatosis and to discuss the etiology.

Methods: A total of 15 lesions from 14 patients was reviewed.

Influence of sleep apnea on autonomic nervous activity and QT dispersion in patients with essential hypertension and old myocardial infarction.

Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) is an important cardiovascular risk factor in patients with hypertension or myocardial infarction (MI). We evaluated the influence of SAS on autonomic nervous activity and QT dispersion in patients with hypertension or coronary artery disease with old MI. A portable sleep polygraph was attached to 30 healthy volunteers (N group), 30 patients with essential hypertension (HT group), and 30 patients with old myocardial infarction (MI group) to serially record oronasal respiration, tracheal sound, thoracic respiratory movement, and percutaneous arterial oxygen saturation.

Comparison of gastric peristalsis inhibition by scopolamine butylbromide and glucagon: evaluation by electrogastrography and analysis of heart rate variability.

Background: Activation of glucagon receptors of the smooth muscle membrane suppresses gastric peristalsis. We evaluated autonomic nervous activity by two methods, electrogastrography (EGG) and analysis of heart rate variability, to compare the inhibiting effects of glucagon and scopolamine butylbromide on gastric peristalsis.

Methods: Heart rate variability, EGG, and blood catecholamine levels were measured before and after administration of glucagon (G group), scopolamine butylbromide (SB group), or physiological saline (C group).

Effects of benidipine hydrochloride on autonomic nervous activity in hypertensive patients with high- and low-salt diets.

The effects of benidipine hydrochloride (CAS 91559-74-5, Coniel) on autonomic nervous activity in hypertensive patients with high- and low-salt diets were investigated. Six patients having a urinary sodium excretion of 80 mEq/day or less (low salt group) and 6 patients having a urinary sodium excretion of 200 mEq/day or more (high salt group) were orally given benidipine hydrochloride (4 mg). Before and four weeks after the treatment with benidipine, 24-h circadian variation in blood pressure and 24-h Holter electrocardiogram (ECG) were recorded.

Autonomic nervous dysfunction in patients with liver cirrhosis using 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine myocardial scintigraphy and spectrum analysis of heart-rate variability.

Background: It has been reported that nitric oxide (NO) synthase is induced in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC), and that an excessive production of NO enhances sympathetic nervous function. The present report describes a study of the feasibility of evaluation of abnormalities of autonomic nervous function by 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) myocardial scintigraphy and heart-rate variability in patients with LC.

Methods: Low-frequency (LF) power, high-frequency (HF) power, LF/HF, and 1/f fluctuations of heart rate variability were examined in 50 patients with LC (LC group), and 50 normal subjects (N group).

Influence of mosapride citrate on gastric motility and autonomic nervous function: evaluation by spectral analyses of heart rate and blood pressure variabilities, and by electrogastrography.

Background: Mosapride citrate selectively acts on serotonin (5-HT(4)) receptors, thus accelerating gastrointestinal motility via acetylcholine. However, few studies have evaluated the influence of mosapride citrate on autonomic nervous activity and hemodynamics.

Methods: The changes in autonomic nervous activity, QT interval, and QT dispersion resulting from the administration of mosapride citrate were studied.