[Idiopathic mesenteric phlebosclerosis associated with long-term use of Chinese herbs: a case report].

A 59-year-old woman had been admitted to our hospital every two months for over a past year because of severe right abdominal pain. Colonoscopy revealed dark blue mucosa extending from the cecum to the transverse colon, and abdominal computed tomography showed wall thickening and linear calcification along the wall from the cecum to the transverse colon. Based on these findings, the patient was given a diagnosis of idiopathic mesenteric phlebosclerosis. Subsequently, we found that she had been a long-term user of a Chinese herbal product containing Gardeniae fructus for allergic rhinitis. After discontinuing the product, the patient has been free of abdominal pain for a year.

Ventricular fibrillation during anesthesia in association with J waves in the left precordial leads in a child with coarctation of the aorta.

A 14-year-old boy with coarctation of the aorta who showed repeat ventricular fibrillation during anesthesia, and ultimately sudden cardiac death in school, is presented. Electrocardiography showed J waves in the left precordial leads, which became prominent after an episode of ventricular fibrillation. While some of the clinical features and electrophysiological findings were similar to those seen in Brugada syndrome, others were inconsistent. J waves in the left precordial leads should be recognized as a possible waveform change inducing ventricular fibrillation predominantly at rest.

Palaeoparasitology in Japan--discovery of toilet features.

The development of palaeoparasitology in Japan has occurred in recent decades. Despite the fact that archaeology in Japan has been slow to develop techniques for excavating ancient toilets, important information about the development of sanitation has been derived from the analysis of a few sites. This shows that the earliest people had very simple methods of sanitation. As populations increased, sanitation became more complex. Ditches surrounding early towns were used for excrement disposal. Eventually distinct toilets were developed followed by cesspit type toilets and flushing toilets. The parasites recovered from these toilets include many species that infect humans today. These parasite spectra reflect local use of aquatic, marine, and land animals. Fecal borne disease was an increasing problem as represented by whipworm and ascarid roundworm eggs. Interestingly, ascarid roundworms were absent in the earliest cultures and only became common with rice agriculture. Finds of pollen and seeds in toilet sediments reveal the use of medicinal plants to control the emerging problem of parasites.

Palaeoparasitology in Japan: discovery of toilet features

The development of palaeoparasitology in Japan has occurred in recent decades. Despite the fact that archaeology in Japan has been slow to develop techniques for excavating ancient toilets, important information about the development of sanitation has been derived from the analysis of a few sites. This shows that the earliest people had very simple methods of sanitation. As populations increased, sanitation became more complex. Ditches surrounding early towns were used for excrement disposal. Eventually distinct toilets were developed followed by cesspit type toilets and flushing toilets. The parasites recovered from these toilets include many species that infect humans today. These parasite spectra reflect local use of aquatic, marine, and land animals. Fecal borne disease was an increasing problem as represented by whipworm and ascarid roundworm eggs. Interestingly, ascarid roundworms were absent in the earliest cultures and only became common with rice agriculture. Finds of pollen and seeds in toilet sediments reveal the use of medicinal plants to control the emerging problem of parasites