Hepatic adenomatous hyperplasia with hyperattenuation on CT during arterial portography: a case report.

We report a 72-year-old man who was admitted to our department with multiple nodules of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a cirrhotic liver because of HCV infection. Unlike most of the nodules, one in segment 2 (S2) showed hypoattenuation on computed tomography (CT) during hepatic arteriography (CTA), and hyperattenuation on CT during arterial portography (CTAP). Fine needle aspiration biopsy of the nodule established the diagnosis of hepatic adenomatous hyperplasia.

Analyses of the EPR responses of sucrose and L-alpha-alanine radicals induced by C, Ne, and Ar ion irradiations.

Using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), we investigated the signal responses of sucrose and L-alpha-alanine radicals produced by heavy-ion irradiation with various linear energy transfers (LETs) and absorbed dose. The spin yields for the two compounds showed a linear relation with the absorbed dose, as well as a logarithmic correlation with the LET. A quantitative EPR analysis showed that sucrose was more sensitive to the particle species than that of alanine.

Number of Fe ion traversals through a cell nucleus for mammalian cell inactivation near the bragg peak.

HeLa and CHO-K1 cells were irradiated with Fe ions (1.14 MeV/nucleon) near the Bragg peak to determine how many ion traversals through a cell nucleus are necessary to induce cell inactivation. The ion traversals through a cell nucleus were visualized by immunostaining the phosphorylated histone H2AX (gamma-H2AX), as an indicator of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs), to confirm that DSBs are actually induced along every Fe ion traversal through the nucleus.

Comparative study of diagnostic value of cytologic sampling by endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration and that by endoscopic retrograde pancreatography for the management of pancreatic mass without biliary stricture.

Background: Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) can now provide a cytopathological diagnosis of underlying pancreatic malignancy with higher success rates than endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP). To determine the significance of EUS-FNA for the diagnosis of pancreatic mass without biliary stricture, the value of cytopathological diagnosis obtained by EUS-FNA was retrospectively compared with that by ERP, and the complications associated with these procedures evaluated.

Methods: Eighty-three patients who were suspected to have a pancreatic mass (excluding a cystic mass), without biliary stricture on conventional ultrasound and/or computed tomography were enrolled.

Role of CpG ODN in concanavalin A-induced hepatitis in mice.

Objective: To investigate the effects of an intradermal injection of oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) containing unmethylated CpG motifs on concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatitis, an experimental model of immune-mediated hepatitis.

Methods: Con A was injected intravenously into Balb/c mice. Twelve hours after Con A challenge, blood and liver samples were obtained.

Effectiveness of intragastric immunization with protein and oligodeoxynucleotides containing a CpG motif for inducing a gastrointestinal mucosal immune response in mice.

Purpose: To investigate a new modality of mucosal vaccines, we evaluated the effectiveness of intragastric immunization for inducing a mucosal immune response in the gastrointestinal tract.

Methods: Mice were immunized with beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) and synthesized oligodeoxynucleotides containing a CpG motif (CpG-DNA) by intragastric injection, and the immune response was compared with those induced by 3 other immunization forms: intranasal, oral, and intradermal.

Results: Intragastric immunization with beta-gal and CpG-DNA induced significant anti-beta-gal fecal IgA production at 2 weeks; however, at 4 weeks the response was lacking.

Investigation of heavy-ion-induced sucrose radicals by electron paramagnetic resonance.

The production of sucrose radicals with heavy-ion irradiation was investigated by an EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) spectroscopic method. We examined the correlation between the production of sucrose radicals and the ion species, as well as LET (linear energy transfer). The spectral pattern obtained was the same for various ion species, including helium, carbon, neon, argon and iron ions.

Pulmonary cryptococcosis mimicking pulmonary metastases in a patient treated with Tegafur-uracil after lung cancer surgery.

A 71-year-old man who had undergone surgery for stage II adenocarcinoma of the lung followed by adjuvant tegafur-uracil (UFT; 300 mg/day) therapy was admitted. Multiple nodules were found in both lungs on chest radiographs obtained 1.5 years after the surgery.

Phosphodiesterase type 4 inhibitor rolipram inhibits activation of monocytes during extracorporeal circulation.

Objective: Cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with systemic inflammatory response syndrome and risk of multiorgan injury mediated by activated leukocytes. Phosphodiesterase type 4 is the predominant phosphodiesterase isozyme in leukocytes and plays a key role in the regulation of leukocyte activation. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of rolipram, a selective phosphodiesterase type 4 inhibitor, on functional changes of monocytes during simulated extracorporeal circulation.

Alternative surgical approaches for apical neurinomas: a thoracoscopic approach.

Background: Neural tumors at the thoracic apex present technical problems for surgeons because of their inaccessibility and postoperative neural complications. Although several approaches offering better accessibility have been proposed, none have become standard.

Methods: Between 1976 and 2004, 23 patients, histologically 20 neurilemmomas and three ganglioneuromas, underwent surgical intervention for apical neurinoma.

Anti-eosinophil peroxidase antibodies detected in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.

Objective: : The possible involvement of eosinophils in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) has been suggested for many years. Activated eosinophils release basic granule proteins and are thought to be involved in the tissue damage of PBC. Eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) is one of the eosinophilic granule proteins and is toxic to epithelial cells.

Thoraco-pleuropneumonectomy for rupture of a huge chronic hematoma of the thorax.

A 67-year-old woman with a huge chronic expanding hematoma of the thorax due to previous tuberculous pleuritis was referred to our hospital with frequent hemoptysis. The hematoma had ruptured into the lung parenchyma. The patient had undergone apical thoracoplasty 40 years earlier.

Measurements of neutron effective doses and attenuation lengths for shielding materials at the heavy-ion medical accelerator in Chiba.

The effective doses and attenuation lengths for concrete and iron were measured for the design of heavy ion facilities. Neutrons were produced through the reaction of copper, carbon, and lead bombarded by carbon ions at 230 and 400 MeV.A, neon ions at 400 and 600 MeV.

Nafamostat preserves neutrophil deformability and reduces microaggregate formation during simulated extracorporeal circulation.

Background: Initial sequestration of activated neutrophils and platelet microaggregates in capillaries are responsible for the inflammatory response associated with cardiopulmonary bypass. The study assesses the inhibitory effects of nafamostat mesilate on neutrophil and platelet activation, and on the neutrophil deformability change and microaggregate formation during simulated extracorporeal circulation.

Methods: Fresh heparinized human blood was recirculated for 120 minutes in a membrane oxygenator and a roller pump with and without nafamostat (1.

Tracheocele: surgical and thoracoscopic findings.

We report a rare case of tracheocele found incidentally on a chest computed tomographic scan of a 78-year-old woman undergoing left hemithyroidectomy. The tracheocele was removed, and our operative and thoracoscopic findings are reported herein. The causes and possible clinical implications of tracheocele are discussed.

Ulcerative colitis occurring in the course of rheumatoid arthritis: a case successfully treated with mesalamine enema.

We report a case of ulcerative colitis (UC) that occurred during the course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A 29-year-old woman with a 25-year history of RA was hospitalized for high fever, abdominal pain and hematochezia. Colonoscopy revealed erosive and reddish mucosa from the distal transverse colon to rectum.

Hepatocellular carcinoma associated with Wilson's disease.

A 23-year-old man was admitted to our department due to hemorrhage from gastric varices. He had been diagnosed as having Wilson's disease at the age of 17. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) showed portal thrombosis and a large mass occupying most of the right lobe in the liver.

[Case report on intra-tumor injection therapy of dendritic cells in advanced gastric cancer].

Dendritic cells (DC) are powerful antigen-presenting cells, and have attracted attention in recent years from the viewpoint of DC vaccine therapy against cancer. However, the existence of an immunosuppressive state in cancer individuals leads to anergy and failure in cytotoxic T cell (CTL) induction and DC migration to the target organ. It has been reported that injected intra-tumor DCs are expected to work phagocytosis of the tumor as a localized effect.

Six cases of primary biliary cirrhosis complicated by psoriasis.

Six cases of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) complicated by psoriasis are presented. Three of six patients had psoriasis vulgaris and three had palmoplantar pustulosis. PBC was diagnosed before the onset of psoriasis in three patients and after the onset of psoriasis in the other three patients.