[Woman with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy who died of cardiogenic shock after surgery].

We describe a case of 39-year-old woman with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy who underwent radical operation of proctoptosis under general anesthesia. She had chronic renal failure, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, WPW syndrome, and some other complications with this disease, and her ADL had been decreasing. Since there are few reports about mitochondrial encephalomyopathy and the anesthesia, we did not know the effect of spinal anesthesia or muscle relaxant on this disease, and we selected general anesthesia with laryngeal mask.

Large organized thrombus of the tricuspid valve: report of a case.

We report the case of a 49-year-old woman with a large organized tricuspid valve thrombus in a structurally normal heart. Preoperative echocardiogram showed a large irregular-shaped mass, approximately 5 cm in diameter, moving from the right atrium into the right ventricle. The assumed preoperative diagnosis was cardiac metastasis of uterine sarcoma because she had undergone surgery for uterine sarcoma 15 years earlier.

Membranes of retinal pigment epithelial cells in vitro are damaged in the phagocytotic process of the photoreceptor outer segment discs peroxidized by ferrous ions.

The ferrous ions released from haemoglobin and storage-transferrin ions cause oxidative stress in the eyes. We observed the phagocytotic process of the photoreceptor outer segment discs peroxidized by ferrous ions in the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in vitro, and investigated how the ferrous ions influenced RPE in vitro and the photoreceptor outer segment discs. We obtained isolated photoreceptor outer segment discs using sucrose gradient of specific gravity after homogenizing porcine retinas.

Correlation between contrast sensitivity and visual acuity in retinitis pigmentosa patients.

Purpose: High-contrast figures such as Landolt rings are insufficient to evaluate the function of the foveal cones of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients. We investigated the correlation between visual function as determined with Landolt rings and with the Vistech Contrast Sensitivity Function Test (VCTS) at various spatial frequencies, in addition to the Cambridge Low Contrast Grating (CLCG).

Methods: The study included 30 retinitis pigmentosa patients (53 eyes).

[Incidence of emesis in outpatients on chemotherapy for breast cancer and the clinical efficacy of ondansetron hydrochloride tablets].

The incidence of nausea and vomiting was investigated for a maximum of 7 days in 32 breast cancer patients receiving CAF (cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, 5-fluorouracil) and CMF (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil) therapies. For those patients who experienced nausea and vomiting, 4 mg/day of ondansetron hydrochloride (OND) in tablet form was given in the next course of the chemotherapy, and the anti-emetic effect of the drug was examined. During the observation period, nausea was seen in 17.

Endobronchial metastasis of breast cancer 5 years after breast-conserving therapy.

A 42-year-old woman, who had received right breast-conserving therapy 5 years previously, was admitted with hemoptysis. Chest X-rays showed a tumor shadow in the left pulmonary hilus with partial atelectasis in the left lower lobe. Bronchofiberscopic examination showed a polypoid tumor arising from the endobronchial wall, with bleeding and a white surface coat.

Melanin granules prevent the cytotoxic effects of L-DOPA on retinal pigment epithelial cells in vitro by regulation of NO and superoxide radicals.

Inasmuch as the nitrogen cycle elicits the direct reduction of N2 to NH3 through enzymatic reactions, and inasmuch as L-DOPA (L-dihydroxyphentlalamine), a catecholamine, can be a source of nitric oxide (NO), it is possible that melanin granules in the eye affect the generation of NO, which causes damage to the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells during the oxidation of L-DOPA. In order to confirm this possibility, we analyzed the correlations of NO generation, cell growth, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in two types (melanotic and amelanotic) of bovine RPE cells following exposure to L-DOPA. NO generation from L-DOPA was determined using an NO detector that is reliant on redox currents.

[Ruptured thymic cysts with mediastinal hemorrhage and hemothorax--a case report and reviews of the literature].

We report a rare case with rupture of thymic cyst including mediastinal hemorrhage and hemothorax. A 68-year-old man was referred to our hospital for the treatment of right hemothorax. A chest roentgenogram following thoracentesis demonstrated a widened mediastinum.

[Tumor diagnosis using 18F-FDG SPECT].

Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) single photon emission CT(SPECT) imaging was performed in four patients with malignant neoplasms. Acquisition of SPECT was started 40 minutes after intravenous administration of 370MBq of 18F-FDG using dual-headed gamma camera equipped with 511keV collimators. Whole body planar scintigraphy was also obtained after the SPECT study.

Myocardial infarction secondary to coronary aneurysm in systemic lupus erythematosus. An autopsy case.

The authors report a thirty-seven-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a coronary aneurysm, and myocardial infarction. SLE was diagnosed at twenty-three years of age and treated with prednisolone. Seven years later, she developed inferior myocardial infarction, and coronary angiography showed an aneurysm in the proximal right coronary artery without associated stenosis.

Effects of alpha-human natriuretic peptide on renal hemodynamics and diuresis in dogs and perfused rat kidneys.

Effects of alpha-human atrial natriuretic polypeptide (alpha-hANP) on renal function were studied in anesthetized dogs and isolated perfused rat kidneys. Two doses of alpha-hANP were used to determine whether renal hemodynamics or tubular reabsorption is tha major factor in the diuretic action of alpha hANP. The excretion rates of sodium (Na) and inorganic phosphate (PO4) were evaluated to determine the site of diuretic action in the renal tubule.

Fatal outcome of a patient with severe aplastic anemia after treatment with metenolone acetate.

A 75-year-old man suffering from severe aplastic anemia was treated first with cyclosporin A, then with steroid pulse therapy, and subsequently with metenolone acetate. Marked elevation of transaminases was detected following initiation of treatment with metenolone acetate. This was followed by hepatic failure and death.

Indium 111-labeled platelets accumulation over abdominal aortic graft with chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation--a case history.

The authors describe a seventy-six-year-old man with aortic graft, which became the focus of chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The patient had abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and the size had increased up to 38 mm in diameter. The AAA was excised and replaced by Dacron graft.

Superior mesenteric varices and splenic renal shunt with portal hypertension: a case report of liver cirrhosis with complications.

The case of a 58-year old woman with cirrhosis complicated by hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatic encephalopathy and superior mesenteric varices is described. Angiography revealed large superior mesenteric varices and it was demonstrated that the portal venous blood was shunted into the right internal iliac vein via the right ovarian vein. Clinically, this patient had hepatic encephalopathy and hyperammonaemia, but no oesophageal varices were discovered on endoscopy.

[Atypical leukemia accompanied by vitamin B12 deficiency].

A 76 year old female with atypical leukemia complicated by vitamin B12 deficiency demonstrated marked fluctuation in blast percentage and hemopoiesis over 8 month period. She underwent surgical removal of pancreas head cancer 5.5 years ago.

Leiomyoma of the bladder causing bilateral hydronephrosis: a case report.

We report a case of bladder leiomyoma with marked bilateral hydronephrosis caused by chronic urinary retention. Surgical finding was that the mass was smooth, fist-sized and had a thin stalk connected to the bladder wall. The tumor was completely removed.

[Investigation of a patient with difficult endotracheal intubation].

Unusually difficult endotracheal intubation was encountered during anesthetic induction of a 41-year-old male, necessitating use of a bronchofiberscope. The usual pre-operative analysis had shown no problems, such as tracheal tumor or stricture. Due to difficult intubation, post-operative evaluations were made and no abnormalities were found.