We have checked into the function of konjak, or the devil's-tongue (Hydrosme vivieri) to reduce cholesterol in order to cast light on its significance as a health food. We processed chipped glucomannan into crackers (hereinafter referred to as “mannan crackers”) and examined its impacts on lipid metabolism. Enrolled for this study were hospital staff members whose total cholesterol exceeded 200mg/dl and students boarding in the hospital's nursing college.
The findings attested to the fact that the intake of mannan crackers may serve to reduce the values of total cholesterol. The higher the value of total cholesterol before this study, the greater the drop. Since we could not detect any effect on either HDLcholesterol or triglyceride, the mannan crackers were considered capable of specifically reducing LDL-cholesterol. We observed no numerical changes in the complete blood cell count (CBCC) and blood chemistry, either. Some of the subjects had abdominal swelling, diarrhea and other digestive problems but theirs were not serious cases. Yet in another aspect, there was no difference in body weight between before and after this study, but the intake of energy and lipid dropped during the period, suggesting that the intake of mannan crackers would produce an effect on the dietary pattern. Having said that, konjak (mannan crackers) may be considered capable of directly or indirectly reducing cholesterol, particularly LDL-cholesterol, suggesting that mannan crackers are of significance as a health food.
The significance of this study for agriculture and rural community must not go unmarked. This study will contribute to the development of agriculture as an industry, while the farm product by the name of konjak has something to do for health, and will be instrumental in protecting the rural environment, not to mention the lives of farm workers engaged in its production. It is a task for us to grapple with by associating itself with farm work and rural villages with the close collaboration of those farm producers.

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a rare but serious postoperative complication of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). We reported a case of late-onset postoperative PVT with hemorrhage from the common hepatic artery (CHA) in a 73-year-old man who underwent pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) for duodenum papilla cancer, followed by reconstruction using the modified Child's technique. The pancreaticojejunostomy was achieved by end-to-side, 2-layer invagination anastomosis without pancreatic duct stenting. Drain removal and hospital discharge were scheduled on postoperative day (POD) 18, but blood-stained fluid in the drain and sudden hematemesis were noted. Emergency surgery was performed because PVT and imaging findings were suggestive of necrosis of the lifted jejunum. Although no jejunal necrosis was identified during surgery, bleeding from the side of the CHA was detected and the bleeding point was suture-closed to achieve hemostasis. We suspected late-onset postoperative arterial hemorrhage and subsequent hematoma formation, which caused portal vein compression and PVT formation. We chose a conservative treatment strategy for PVT, taking into account the operation time, intraoperative vital signs and blood flow in the portal vein. Despite the complicated postoperative course, he was discharged home in a fully ambulatory state on POD 167.
Aged ; Duodenum ; Emergencies ; Hematemesis ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage* ; Hemostasis ; Hepatic Artery* ; Humans ; Jejunum ; Necrosis ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy* ; Pancreaticojejunostomy ; Portal Vein* ; Postoperative Complications ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; Stents ; Venous Thrombosis* ; Vital Signs

Introduction: Conference presentations are a very instructive experience for doctors.Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate residents' attitude toward conference presentations.Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted on 22 residents at our hospital, regarding their experience with giving a conference presentation.Results: Of the 22 residents, 15 (68%) completed the questionnaires. 13 (87%) of them had experienced giving a presentation for the first time. Overall, 14 (93%) of the 15 residents thought the experience of giving a conference presentation was very instructive. 12 residents (80%) wanted to experience it again. On the other hand, a few residents requested that giving a presentation be made voluntary and not mandatory.Conclusion: The results of our study demonstrates that giving conference presentations would be a very valuable experience for young doctors. The experience of giving a presentation coupled with prior explanations about its instructive value could positively impact intrinsic motivation.