Degree of freezing does not affect efficacy of frozen gloves for prevention of docetaxel-induced nail toxicity in breast cancer patients.

PURPOSE: Frozen gloves (FG) are effective in preventing docetaxel-induced nail toxicity (DNT), but uncomfortable. The preventive effect of FG for DNT was compared using a standard (-25 to -30°C) or more comfortable (-10 to -20°C) preparation. METHODS: Breast cancer patients receiving docetaxel were eligible. Each patient wore an FG (prepared at -10 to -20°C for 90 min) for 60 min without replacement on the right hand. The left hand was protected by standard methods (FG prepared at -25 to -30°C overnight and worn for 90 min with replacement at 45 min). The primary endpoint was DNT occurrence at 5 months. Secondary endpoints included docetaxel exposure [cumulative dose and area under the blood concentration time curve (AUC)] until DNT occurrence and discomfort from FG. The pharmacokinetics of docetaxel was assessed. RESULTS: From 23 patients enrolled between December 2006 and June 2010, seven who received docetaxel for less than 5 months were excluded from evaluation. The median accumulated docetaxel dose was 700 mg/m(2) (340-1430 mg/m(2)). Within 5 months of FG use, none developed protocol-defined DNT in either hand. Two patients (13%) developed DNT at 7.2 and 7.3 months, respectively, both at -10 to -20°C. In the control hand (-25 to -30°C), discomfort occurred in 92% of the cycles, compared to 15% in the experimental hand (-10 to -20°C). Five patients (22%) experienced pain at -25 to -30°C, but none did at -10 to -20°C. The degree of docetaxel exposure was not related to DNT occurrence in our study. CONCLUSION: A convenient preparation of FG at -10 to -20°C is almost as effective as a standard preparation at -25 to -30°C, with significantly less discomfort.

Impact of Donor Age on Outcome of Intestinal Transplantation in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Donor age for intestinal transplantation (ITx) is somewhat younger than that for other solid organs. Clear criteria for adequate donors have not been established. There is a donor scarcity for ITx in Japan due to the shortage of young donors. METHODS: We reviewed outcomes associated with ITx in Japan based on donor age for cadaveric and living donation. RESULTS: Standardized report forms were sent to all known ITx programs, asking for information on ITxs performed between 1996 and 2016. All programs responded. Patient and graft survival estimates were obtained using the Kaplan-Meier method. Five institutions provided data on 27 grafts in 24 patients. There were 14 cadaveric and 13 living donor transplants. Median donor age for ITxs was 40 (range, 17-60) years. Graft survival at 5 years was 66% for patients >40 years old (n = 18) and 47% for those <40 years old (n = 9), not a statistically significant difference (P = .49). Graft survival at 5 years was 60% in those >50 years old (n = 5) and 57% for those <50 years old (n = 22), again not a significant difference (P = .27). CONCLUSION: There is no difference in survival between for those with donor age <40 vs >40 years. Donor age for ITx can be extended from >40 to up to 50 years, which may help to mitigate the donor shortage. It will be necessary to clarify the donor criteria for ITx through accumulation of further data on ITx.

Everolimus Rescue Treatment for Chronic Rejection After Pediatric Living Donor Liver Transplantation: 2 Case Reports.

Chronic rejection (CR) remains a challenging complication after liver transplantation. Everolimus, which is a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, has an anti-fibrosis effect. We report here the effect of everolimus on CR. Case 1 was a 7-year-old girl who underwent living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) shortly after developing fulminant hepatitis at 10 months of age. Liver function tests (LFTs) did not improve after transplantation despite treatment with tacrolimus + mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Antithymoglobulin (ATG) and steroid pulse therapy were also ineffective. The patient was diagnosed with CR, and everolimus was started with a target trough level of about 5 ng/mL. LFTs improved and pathological examination showed no progression of hepatic fibrosis. Case 2 was a 10-year-old girl with Alagille syndrome who underwent LDLT at 1 year of age. She had biopsy-proven acute cellular rejection with prolonged LFT abnormalities beginning 3 years after transplantation. She was treated with steroid pulse therapy, followed by MMF, tacrolimus, and prednisolone. Her condition did not improve, even after subsequent ATG administration. CR was suspected based on liver biopsy in the fourth postoperative year, and everolimus was introduced. The target trough level was around 5 ng/mL, but was reduced to 3 ng/mL due to stomatitis. Four years have passed since the initiation of everolimus, and LFTs are stable with no progression of liver biopsy fibrosis. We describe 2 cases in which everolimus was administered for CR. In both cases, LFTs improved and fibrosis did not progress, suggesting that everolimus is an effective treatment for CR after LDLT.

Early Outcomes of Living-Donor Kidney Transplantation With Immunosuppression Therapy Induction With Tacrolimus Extended-Release: A Comparison With Cyclosporine.

BACKGROUND: Extended-release tacrolimus (TacER), administered once daily, offers improved adherence with reduced side effects while still maintaining an immunosuppressive potency equivalent to that of conventional tacrolimus preparations. METHODS: The study included 83 patients who received consecutive living-donor kidney transplants at our facility from June 2013 to December 2016. Comparisons were made between 48 cases of induction with TacER and 35 cases of induction with cyclosporine (CyA). The observation period was 3 months after transplantation. Transplanted kidney function, rejection, infectious disease, lipid abnormalities, and glucose tolerance were compared. RESULTS: The 2 groups showed no significant difference in donor background or transplanted kidney function. Within the 3-month observation period, an acute rejection response was observed in 2 cases in the TacER group and in 8 cases in the CyA group. After transplantation, hyperlipidemia requiring medication was observed more frequently in the CyA group. The 2 groups did not show a marked difference in systemic infection or renal calcineurin inhibitor toxicity in histopathologic examination of the transplanted kidneys 3 months after surgery. DISCUSSION: Proactive use of TacER leads to improved adherence while yielding immunosuppressive potency equivalent to that of conventional tacrolimus preparations; however, tacrolimus has a potent blood sugar-elevating effect; thus, direct comparison with the CyA group is important for assessing the side effects. CONCLUSION: TacER has the potential to also reduce side effects in the early stages after surgery, suggesting its potential as a drug of first choice.

A Novel Assessment of Vascular Regions Using an Intraoperative Near-Infrared Fluorescence.

INTRODUCTION: The risk of complications and transplant renal function increases in multiple arterial renal transplantations compared with single arterial renal transplantations. Even when multiple arteries are involved, with the introduction of laparoscopic nephrectomy, I mainly choose the left side kidney. Therefore, the number of renal artery reconstructions is increasing, and simultaneous imaging of arterial rebuilding during the donor nephrectomy is important. MATERIAL: Between 2006 and 2015, we performed 132 living donor kidney transplantations at our center and analyzed 32 cases that were diagnosed pre- and intraoperatively. METHOD: We compared the single renal artery (SRA) and multiple renal arteries (MRA) groups and analyzed the number of renal arteries, reconstruction methods, donor and recipient ages, sex, total ischemic times, and 1-month serum creatinine values. RESULT: In the MRA and SRA groups, the average recipient age was 52.3 and 47.0 years, respectively, while the average donor age was 52.9 and 53.1 years, respectively. In SRA and MRA groups, total ischemic time (TIT) was 96.1 and 143.6 min (P < .01). Serum creatinine level 1 month post-transplantation was 1.54 and 1.25, respectively (P < .001). Here we experienced 12 cases of living renal donor nephrectomy with multiple vessels in which the vascular supply territory was first assessed in April 2013 using an intraoperative near-infrared fluorescence camera system. In addition, regarding TIT, it is possible to shorten surgery by using individual anastomosis and ligation. CONCLUSION: By managing multiple donors; arteries by nephrectomy, it is possible to improve kidney transplantation results.

Aortic valve replacement for Takayasu's arteritis.

We report 12 cases of aortic valve replacement performed for Takayasu's arteritis and discuss the genesis of aortic regurgitation and the clinical outcome after aortic valve replacement. This group of twelve patients who underwent aortic valve replacement between April 1982 and March 1990 included four male and eight female patients, aged 24 to 67 years (mean age 48 years). Preoperative angiography showed systemic multiple stenoocclusive or aneurysmal dilated vascular lesions in addition to aortic regurgitation. The multiple lesions included a lesion in the aortic arch branch in nine (75%), in the pulmonary artery in seven (58%), an aneurysmal dilation in the ascending aorta of more than 6 cm in four (33%), a coronary lesion in four (33%), a thoracic aortic lesion in six (50%), and a lesion in the abdominal aorta and its visceral branch in six (50%). Simple aortic valve replacement alone was performed in two patients and in combination with another operation in ten patients, with aortic root reconstruction in two, ascending aortic plication in three, coronary artery bypass grafting in two, aortic arch branch bypass grafting in one, aortic arch branch bypass grafting and coronary ostium endarterectomy in one, and mitral valve replacement and ascending aortic plication in one. There was no operative death, and only one patient died later, 18 months after the operation, because of secondary amyloidosis. The postoperative recovery of the clinical status and cardiac function was good. Intraoperative observations suggested that aortic valve regurgitation may be caused by an extension of aortitis, although histopathologic examinations of the valve showed nonspecific findings. One of the characteristic problems in Takayasu's arteritis is the necessity for prednisolone administration in some patients preoperatively or postoperatively, or both. We conclude that aortic valve replacement for patients with Takayasu's arteritis is an effective and safe treatment. Our data related to the genesis of aortic regurgitation in Takayasu's arteritis remain insufficient to draw conclusions, and further analysis is planned.

Repair of left ventricular diverticulum with ventricular bigeminy in an infant.

Surgical repair of left ventricular diverticulum usually is not required in infancy even though it combines with other anomalies. In addition to prevention of rupture of the diverticulum and thrombus formation, treatment of combined ventricular tachycardia is thought to be an indication for resection of the diverticulum. We describe a successful repair performed by excising the isolated left ventricular diverticulum under cardiopulmonary bypass in a 9-day-old infant. The combined ventricular bigeminy has disappeared 9 months after the operation.

Vibration exposure and prevention in Japan.

Working conditions of vibration exposure have generally improved, but many difficult problems must be solved such as (1) hygienic improvements in a variety of vibrating tools; (2) improving working conditions, for example, by limiting the time of operation in spite of economic difficulties such as those faced by those who work on a piece rate basis; (3) gathering more complete information about the risk population because of the large number of self-employed in informal employment sectors; and (4) finding work places after rehabilitation for patients, particularly in mountainous rural areas or in small scale industries. Historical observation of vibration and preventive measures in Japanese national forests was presented on the basis of the results of a retrospective cohort study in Kyushu, Japan. Prevalence rate of VWF remarkably changed from 58.4% in the groups that began to operate chain saws in 1960 to only a few cases in the groups who started the operation after 1971. When we compare the relationships between the results of long term cohort study and the consequences of preventive measures of vibration syndrome, the most important factor is the decrease of vibration exposure (improvement in chain saws plus the time restriction system). The comprehensive prevention system used in Japanese national forests consists of the following: (1) Health care system; (2) Work regulation system; (3) System for improving mechanized tools; (4) Warming system to protect against cold conditions; and (5) Education and training system.

[Prevention of adenovirus infection and antiviral activity of a hand disinfectant, Welpas].

A commercial alcoholic disinfectant (Welpas) was tested for its activity against adenovirus type 3 (Ad 3) by using two procedures, the in vitro suspension test and the in vivo fingertip test. Other available techniques for the sterilization of fingers were also evaluated for removal of Ad by using the fingertip test. In the suspension tests, the infectivity of Ad 3 was reduced to undetectable levels within 30-60 seconds. This results suggest the effectiveness of this disinfectant in reducing Ad infectivity. In the fingertip tests, the viruses were recovered from fingertips in varying titers after using one of the following techniques: wiping with tissue papers, washing with running water, washing with soap and rinsing with water, rubbing with Welpas, wiping with cotton soaked in 70% alcohol, or washing with a brush under running water. However, the viruses were not recovered when the fingertip was washed with water, wiped with paper, and rubbed with Welpas successively. This technique was found to be the most effective method currently available.

[A case of anomalous systemic arterial supply to the left basal lung with lateral chest pain and palpitation followed by left basal segmentectomy].

A 38-year-old man was admitted because of left lateral chest pain and palpitation. A further examination revealed anomalous systemic arterial supply to the left basal lung. As pulmonary arteriography showed a complete lack of pulmonary arterial supply to these segments, we performed a ligation of the aberrant artery and left basal segmentectomy. Eight months after surgery, a lung perfusion scan showed improved uptake in the apical segment of the lower lobe.

Anti-angiogenic cancer therapy updates.

Anti-angiogenic therapy has fundamentally landmarked the clinical new era of anti-cancer therapy. It was demonstrated that the blockade of vascular endothelial growth factor results in regression of the disease and prolongation of survival. In contrast, it was clarified that the differential sensitivity of the therapeutic impact exists. Many thought-provoking questions have been raised in this field. Herein, we focus on the clinical data and attempt to summarize some clinical trials of anti-angiogenic treatment, highlighting the sparkling articles, the differential sensitivities to these agents beyond progression continuation, and how to individualize treatment according to validated biomarkers.

Pulmonary and systemic arteriovenous fistulas in patients with left isomerism.

Hepatic venous blood has been thought to play some role as a vasoactive agent in the development of pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas in patients with congenital heart disease. During the last 15 years, we have observed pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas in 3, and systemic arteriovenous fistulas in 2, patients from our 16 cases of left isomerism. During the same period, neither pulmonary nor systemic arteriovenous fistulas were detected among 50 patients with right isomerism. Pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas had developed in the absence of surgery in 1 of the patients. Both pulmonary and systemic fistulas were detected in an another patient, in whom the hepatic venous blood bypassed the pulmonary circulation. The level of somatostatin, which is known to reduce splanchnic blood flow, was high in the systemic venous blood of this patient. Although the mechanism of development of the fistulas has yet to be clarified, we should be aware that not only pulmonary, but also systemic arteriovenous fistulas can be found in patients with left isomerism, even prior to any surgical intervention.

[Effects of "low dose" aprotinin in open heart surgery and its plasma concentration].

To determine the effects of "low dose" aprotinin in open heart surgery, we administrated it in 109 cases of CABG or prosthetic valve replacement. Patients in Group A (Aprotinin) received continuous infusion of aprotinin at the rate of 6*10(5) KIU/hr from the induction of anesthesia to the start of ECC (extra corporeal circulation), and from the end of ECC to the end of blood stanching. They also received additional 5*10(5) KIU aprotinin in ECC prime volumes. 50 patients in Group C (Control) received neither aprotinin nor placebo. Bleeding after ECC (Group A: 315.7 +/- 203.1 ml, Group C: 484.3 +/- 598.5 ml p < 0.01), the first 6 hours drainage (Group A: 273.0 +/- 210.0 ml, Group C: 404.7 +/- 243.2 ml p < 0.01), the first 24 hours drainage (Group A: 510.2 +/- 248.0 ml, Group C: 721 +/- 317.7 ml p < 0.01) was significantly reduced in Group A. Amounts of homologous blood transfusion were significantly reduced in group A. (Group A: 4.7 +/- 5.3 units, Group C: 8.5 +/- 6.4 units p < 0.01). Among the patients with autologous blood transfusion, the rate of the patients without homologous transfusion was significantly higher in Group A (group A: 40/66 cases, Group C: 8/33 cases p < 0.01). The ECC time and the operation time was significantly shorter in Group A. There were 69 patients (Group A: 40, Group C: 29) whose ECC time was longer than 120 minutes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Therapeutic effects of restricted diet and exercise in obese patients with fatty liver.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The incidence of obese patients with fatty liver has recently increased in Japan as well as in the United States and Europe. Fatty liver may occasionally progress to liver cirrhosis. In this study, we have compared the effects of restricted diet and exercise versus no treatment in obese patients with fatty liver. METHODS: Twenty-five obese patients with fatty liver were divided into treated and control groups. Fifteen obese patients followed a program of restricted diet (ideal weight x 25 Cal x kg(-1)) and exercise (walking or jogging) for a trial period of 3 months. No changes in diet or lifestyle were made by the other 10 patients during the same trial period. Blood biochemical tests and liver histology were compared in all patients before and after the trial. RESULTS: In the treated group, weight, blood biochemical data such as aminotransferase, albumin, cholinesterase, total cholesterol and fasting blood glucose values, and steatosis were significantly decreased after the trial. In the control group, there were no significant differences in the clinical and histological findings before and after the trial. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that restricted diet and exercise therapy, such as walking and jogging, are useful means of improving blood biochemical data and histological findings in liver tissues related to fatty liver.

Laparascope-assisted versus conventional restorative proctocolectomy with rectal mucosectomy.

To assess the advantages of a laparoscope-assisted proctocolectomy with ileal J-pouch anal anastomosis compared with conventional procedures, we retrospectively analyzed the results of the two procedures as follows: Eleven patients including five patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and six with ulcerative colitis (UC) underwent a laparoscope-assisted proctocolectomy and hand-sewn ileal J-pouch anal anastomosis at our department from June 1997 to November 1999. This laparoscope-assisted colectomy (LAC) group was then compared with a group of 13 patients who had undergone conventional ileal pouch anal anastomosis using a standard laparotomy from 1986 to 1997. The median operative time of the LAC group was 8h 23min, which was 81 min longer than that of the standard colectomy (SC) group. The number of days during which eating was prohibited were similar in the two groups but the median postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in the LAC group (24.1 days). In the LAC group, the small incisions showed better cosmetic results and there was also a remarkable reduction in the degree of postoperative pain. In conclusion, a laparoscope-assisted proctocolectomy with ileal J-pouch anal anastomosis can be employed widely in patients with FAP and also in selected patients with UC.