The aim of this studv was to clarify the effects of water immersion on the cardiovascular recovery process following submaximal steady state exercise on land. Seven male subjects (23 yrs old) underwent experiments under four separate conditions on separate days (15 minutes of cycling exercise at 50% and 80% maximal oxygen consumption followed by 16 minutes of recovery in a sitting position in water and out of water) . Concerning conditions in water, mean water temperature was 29.4 degrees, and the immersion level was set at xiphoid. Mean room temperature in out of water conditions, and during all conditions of exercise, was 24.4 degrees. Oxygen consumption (VO₂), heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (systolic: SBP, diastolic: DBP) were measured under each condi tion. Mean blood pressure was calculated from SBP and DBP (MBP=1/3× ( SBP-DBP) +DBP) . Stroke volume (SV) was measured by Doppler echocardiography, and then cardiac output (CO=SV×HR), total peripheral resistance (TPR=NIBP/CO) and arteriaVmixed venous oxygen difference (a-v O₂diff=VO₂/CO) were calculated. In comparison with the same exercise intensity condition, there were no significant differences between recovery processes of VO₂, HR, SBP, DBP and MBP in and out of water. SV and CO were significantly higher (p<0.05) during the recovery process in water than out of water (SV: at 50 and 80% maximal oxygen consumption conditions, CO: at 80% condition) . The TPR and a-v O₂diff were significantly lower (p<0.05) during the recovery process in water than out of water at 80% oxygen consumption condition. These results indicate that water immersion facilitates circulating blood volume during the recovery process without increasing blood pressure, especially during recovery after high intensity exercise. Therefore, we suggest that increased left ventricular preload with immersion would be an important factor in cardiovascular regulation not only at rest but also during recovery after exercise.

A 13-year-old girl was admitted to our hospital with a history of syncope after exercise. Neither left ventricular (LV) function nor hypertrophy was detected by transthoracic echocardiography. However, 24-h Holter electrocardiogram demonstrated ST segment depression with increasing heartbeat. Exercise ²⁰¹Tl myocardial scintigram also demonstrated ischemia of the anterior LV wall. Multi-slice coronary computed tomography (CT) demonstrated hypoplasia of the left main coronary artery. The syncope on exertion was ascribed to myocardial ischemia due to hypoplasia of the left main coronary artery. We performed off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) (left internal thoracic artery-left descending artery). The postoperative course was uneventful and postoperative stress ²⁰¹Tl myocardial scintigram demonstrated the absence of myocardial ischemia. Coronary CT demonstrated good graft patency. To date, there has not been any recurrence of syncope on exertion. We herein report a successful off-pump CABG for a patient with syncope due to hypoplasia of the left main coronary artery. Syncope on exertion due to hypoplasia of the left main coronary artery is very rare. However, certain forms of congenital coronary anomalies are associated with adverse cardiac events, including sudden cardiac death. The diagnosis, therefore, can be important and CABG is indicated, especially when there is repetitive syncope due to myocardial ischemia.

Objective: The overproduction of reactive oxygen species leads to oxidative stress, which is related to lifestyle-related disease and cancer. Although antioxidants are considered as one of the countermeasures to oxidative stress, it is necessary to develop the assessment methodology for the antioxidant capacity which is closer to the inner body conditions. In this study, we examined antioxidant actions of plant extracts by using newly-developed neutrophil activity measurement system.
Method: Lemon verbena, Green tea, Camellia japonica and Antiallerge^® were used as plant extracts, and were diluted to medium in wide-range concentrations. Each solution was added on modified Mebiol Gel^® (hydrogel), and the mixture of blood and luminol were set onto the hydrogel in each tube. The amount of reactive oxygen species were measured by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence, whereas the cell count in the hydrogel was quantified as migratory activity of neutrophils.
Result: Lemon verbena and Green tea significantly inhibited reactive oxygen species in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas Camellia japonica and Antiallerge^® did not. The migratory activity of neutrophils was not affected by those plant extracts. Also, damaged cells were not detected.
Conclusion: It was suggested that Lemon verbena and Green tea scavenged reactive oxygen species without causing cell death of neutrophils. This new method for measuring neutrophil activities can be applied not only for assessing the status of inflammation and oxidative stress but also as the screening system for predicting the effectiveness of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances.

Atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH) and adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) are generally treated as different lesions, depending on the differences in lesion size and histological findings. However, these differences are not absolute; thus, AAH and AIS are often difficult to distinguish. Moreover, whether AAH and AIS can be regarded as different lesions remains unknown because cytological specimens, especially those of AAH, are rare. In this study, we examined these uncommon cytological specimens and compared the cytological findings between AAH and AIS. We observed many common cytological features with no obvious differences between AAH and AIS. These findings suggest that these two distinct lesions can be grouped into a single category. Therefore, we propose creating a new cytological category.

Atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH) and adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) are generally treated as different lesions, depending on the differences in lesion size and histological findings. However, these differences are not absolute; thus, AAH and AIS are often difficult to distinguish. Moreover, whether AAH and AIS can be regarded as different lesions remains unknown because cytological specimens, especially those of AAH, are rare. In this study, we examined these uncommon cytological specimens and compared the cytological findings between AAH and AIS. We observed many common cytological features with no obvious differences between AAH and AIS. These findings suggest that these two distinct lesions can be grouped into a single category. Therefore, we propose creating a new cytological category.

Atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH) and adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) are generally treated as different lesions, depending on the differences in lesion size and histological findings. However, these differences are not absolute; thus, AAH and AIS are often difficult to distinguish. Moreover, whether AAH and AIS can be regarded as different lesions remains unknown because cytological specimens, especially those of AAH, are rare. In this study, we examined these uncommon cytological specimens and compared the cytological findings between AAH and AIS. We observed many common cytological features with no obvious differences between AAH and AIS. These findings suggest that these two distinct lesions can be grouped into a single category. Therefore, we propose creating a new cytological category.

No abstract available.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Histiocytosis* ; Humans

The purpose of this study was to explore the burden of introducing LCP-J in two wards（medical oncology and respiratory medicine）in Tohoku University Hospital. We administered audit evaluations about dying cancer patients and interviewed 2 doctors and 8 nurses regarding LCP-J intervention. LCP-J was used for 22 patients（38％）, and no significant difference in infusion, potent opioid analgesic and sedative medication within last 48 hours were seen between users and nonusers. Responses were categorized into［confirm directions about dying care among health care professionals］, and［training in dying care in a structured way］as usefulness facets of the LCP-J, and［difficulty in assessment of dying］,［burden of health care professionals］, and［difficulty using LCP-J without knowledge and training in dying care］as burdens of the LCP-J. We explored the burden of LCP-J in general wards, and found that use of the LCP-J could need education in dying care and backup of the palliative care team.

Up until the present, the primary treatment for threatened premature labor has been bed rest, with drug therapy as a supplement. However, with drug therapy the problems of side effects and dosage limitations have made it difficult to achieve therapeutic effectiveness. In this paper, the authors report the favorable results obtained in such cases when moxibustion and a microwave emitter were used for stimulation therapy based on Oriental medical theory. Moxibustion was carried out on Shim, Yusen and Saninko (acupuncture points) in cases of threatened premature labor beyond the 24th week. Despite the short duration of treatment, uterine tension was relieved, fetal movement increased, and resistance in the umbilical artery and uterine artery reduced. Similar results were achieved with multiple microwave stimulation treatments; the effects lasted for long periods and were not accompanied by side effects. Thus, the results showed that through the use of moxibustion therapy in conjunction with drug therapy, the dosage could be reduced, and the frequency of side-effect appearance lowered. These results suggest that moxibustion therapy has potential as an effective and safe new treatment for threatened premature labor.