AIM: To evaluate the esophageal motility and abnormal acid and bile reflux incidence in cirrhotic patients without esophageal varices (EV). METHODS: Seventy-eight patients with liver cirrhosis without EV confirmed by ...AIM: To evaluate the esophageal motility and abnormal acid and bile reflux incidence in cirrhotic patients without esophageal varices (EV). METHODS: Seventy-eight patients with liver cirrhosis without EV confirmed by upper gastroesophageal endoscopy and 30 healthy control volunteers were prospectively enrolled in this study. All the patients were evaluated using a modified protocol including Child-Pugh score, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, esophageal manometry, simultaneous ambulatory 24-h esophageal pH and bilirubin monitoring. All the patients and volunteers accepted the manometric study. RESULTS: In the liver cirrhosis group, lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP, 15.32 ± 2.91 mmHg), peristaltic amplitude (PA, 61.41 ± 10.52 mmHg), peristaltic duration (PD, 5.32 ± 1.22 s), and peristaltic velocity (PV, 5.22 ± 1.11 cm/s) were all significantly abnormal in comparison with those in the control group (P < 0.05), and LESP was negatively correlated with Child-Pugh score. The incidence of reflux esophagitis (RE) and pathologic reflux was 37.18% and 55.13%, respectively(vs control, P < 0.05). And the incidence of isolated abnormal acid reflux, bile reflux and mixed reflux was 12.82%, 14.10% and 28.21% in patients with liver cirrhosis without EV. CONCLUSION: Cirrhotic patients without EV presented esophageal motor disorders and mixed acid and bile reflux was the main pattern; the cirrhosis itself was an important causative factor.展开更多
AIM: To evaluate the effects of omeprazole on gastric mechanosensitivity in humans. METHODS: A double lumen polyvinyl tube with a plas- tic bag was introduced into the stomach of healthy volunteers under fluorograph...AIM: To evaluate the effects of omeprazole on gastric mechanosensitivity in humans. METHODS: A double lumen polyvinyl tube with a plas- tic bag was introduced into the stomach of healthy volunteers under fluorography and connected to a barostat device. Subjects were then positioned so they were sitting comfortably, and the minimal distending pressure (MDP) was determined after a 30-rain adap- tation period. Isobaric distensions were performed in stepwise increments of 2 mmHg (2 min each) starting from the MDR Subjects were instructed to score feel- ings at the end of every step using a graphic rating scale: 0, no perception; 1, weak/vague; 2, weak but significant; 3, moderate/vague; 4, moderate but signifi- cant; 5, severe discomfort; and 6, unbearable pain. Af- ter this first test, subjects received omeprazole (20 mg, after dinner) once daily for 1 wk. A second test was performed on the last day of treatment. RESULTS: No adverse effects were observed. Mean MDP before and after treatment was 6.3 - 0.3 mmHg and 6.2:1:0.5 mmHg, respectively. One subject before and 2 after treatment did not reach a score of 6 at the maximum bag volume of 750 mL. After omeprazole, there was a significant increase in the distension pres- sure required to reach scores of 1 (P = 0.019) and 2 (P = 0.017) as compared to baseline. There were no changes in pressure required to reach the other scores after treatment. Two subjects before and one after omeprazole rated their abdominal feeling 〈 1 at MDP, and mean (±SE) abdominal discomfort scores at MDP were 0.13±0.09 and 0.04±0.04, respectively. Mean scores induced by each MDP + 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 (mmHg) were 1.1±0.3, 2.0±0.4, 2.9±0.5, 3.3±0.4, 4.6±0.3, 5.2±0.3, 5.5±0.2, 5.5±0.3, 5.7±0.3, and 5.4, respectively. After omepra- zole, abdominal feeling scores for the same incremen- tal pressures over MDP were 0.3±0.1, 0.8±0.1, 2.0±0.4, 2.8±0.4, 3.8±0.4, 4.6±0.4, 4.9±0.3, 5.4±0.4, 5.2±0.6, and 5.0±1.0, respectively. A signif- icant decrease in feeling score was observed at intra- bag pressures of MDP + 2 mmHg (P = 0.028) and + 4 mmHg (P = 0.013), respectively, after omeprazole. No significant score changes were observed at pres- sures ≥ MDP + 6 mmHg. CONCLUSION: Although the precise mechanisms are undetermined, the present study demonstrated that omeprazole decreases mechanosensitivity to mild gas- tric distension.展开更多
AIM: To analyze the association between the emergence of tyrosine-methionine-asparatate-asparatate (YMDD) mutants (reverse transcription; rtM204I/V) and deterioration of liver function during long-term lamivudine...AIM: To analyze the association between the emergence of tyrosine-methionine-asparatate-asparatate (YMDD) mutants (reverse transcription; rtM204I/V) and deterioration of liver function during long-term lamivudine treatment of Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. METHODS: The data of 61 consecutive Japanese pa- tients with chronic hepatitis B who underwent continu- ous lamivudine treatment for more than 24 mo and had a virological response were analyzed. Analysis of YMDD mutants was done by real-time polymerase chain reaction with LightCycler probe hybridization assay for up to 90 mo (mean, 50.8 too; range, 24-90 too).RESULTS: A mixed mutant-type (YMDD + tyrosine-iso- leucine-asparatate-asparatate: YIDD or tyrosine-valineasparatate-asparatate: YVDD) or a mutant-type (YIDD or YVDD) were found in 57.4% of 61 patients at i year, 78.7% of 61 patients at 2 years, 79.6% of 49 patients at 3 years, 70.5% of 34 patients at 4 years, 68.4% of 19 patients at 5 years, 57.1% of 14 patients at 6 years, and 33.3% of 6 patients at 7 years. Of the 61 patients, 56 (92%) had mixed mutant- or a mutant-type. Only 5 (8%) had no mutants at each observation point. Vi- rological breakthrough was found in 26 (46.4%) of 56 patients with YMDD mutants, 20 of whom had a hepa- titis flare-up: the remaining 30 (53.6%) had neither a virological breakthrough nor a flare-up. All 20 patients who developed a hepatitis flare-up had a biochemical and virological response after adefovir was added to the lamivudine treatment. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that it is possible to continue lamivudine treatment, even after the emergence of YMDD mutants, up to the time that the patients develop a hepatitis flare-up.展开更多
This study aims to clarify the factors that form rice prices for different producing areas and brands in Japan, while ascertaining consumers' criteria in purchasing rice and their preference for taste in China, in or...This study aims to clarify the factors that form rice prices for different producing areas and brands in Japan, while ascertaining consumers' criteria in purchasing rice and their preference for taste in China, in order to establish the method to formulate an overseas marketing strategy for Japanese rice.展开更多
Objective: To observe the effect of different combination antihypertensive therapies on plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) concentration and left ventricular diastolic function of essential hypertension patients with left ...Objective: To observe the effect of different combination antihypertensive therapies on plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) concentration and left ventricular diastolic function of essential hypertension patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) Methods: A total of 111 patients with essential hypertension were selected, including 60 cases (34 males, 26 females) aged (60.7±5.6) years with simple hypertension, and 51 cases (28 males, 23 females) aged (61.8±7.0) years with essential hypertension complicated with LVH. Essential hypertension patients with LVH were randomly divided into the group of amlodipine (2.5 mg/d) combined with telmisartan (40 mg/d, n=26) and the group of amlodipine (2.5 mg/d) combined with amiloride (half tablet/d, n=25),and the treatment lasted for 1 year. Echocardiography was performed before and after the treatment. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI), left ventricular isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) and other indicators were detected, and plasma ET-1 concentrations were measured for comparative analysis. And 56 patients (31 males, 25 females) aged (59.3±6.7) years with normal blood pressure in the same period in our hospital were selected as the normal control group. Results: The general clinical characteristics were similar between hypertensive LVH group, simple hypertensive group and normal healthy control group. Plasma ET-1 concentrations, LVMI and IVRT of hypertensive LVH group were significantly higher than those of normal control group and simple hypertension group, and the difference was statistically significant. The patients' baseline blood pressure, ET-1, LVMI, interventricular septal thickness (IVST), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWT), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd) and other clinical parameters showed no significant difference (P〉0.05) between the group of amlodipine combined with telmisartan and the group of amlodipine combined with amiloride. It was found that compared with that before treatment, blood pressure could be effectively controlled (P〈0.05), and LVMI, IVST, LVPWT and IVRT (P〈0.05) were all lowered, and ET-1 (P〈0.01) was significantly reduced after 1 year of antihypertensive therapy in both the group of amlodipine combined with telmisartan and the group of amlodipine combined with amiloride. The group of amlodipine combined with telmisartan was better in lowering blood pressure and reducing LVMI, IVST, LVPWT, IVRT and ET-1 than the group of amlodipine combined with amiloride (P〈0.05). Conelus|on: Amlodipine-based combination antthypertensive therapy could reverse LVH and improve left ventricular diastolic function partly by lowering blood pressure and ET-1, and the effect of amlodipine combined with telmisartan was superior to that ofamlodipine combined with amiloride展开更多
AIM: To characterize the effects of age on the mechanisms underlying the common condition of esophageal dysphagia in older patients, using detailed manometric analysis. METHODS: A retrospective case-control audit was ...AIM: To characterize the effects of age on the mechanisms underlying the common condition of esophageal dysphagia in older patients, using detailed manometric analysis. METHODS: A retrospective case-control audit was performed on 19 patients aged ≥ 80 years (mean age 85 ± 0.7 year) who underwent a manometric study for dysphagia (2004-2009). Data were compared with 19 younger dysphagic patients (32 ± 1.7 years). Detailed manometric analysis performed prospectively included basal lower esophageal sphincter pressure (BLESP), pre-swallow and nadir LESP, esophageal body pressures and peristaltic duration, during water swallows (5 mL) in right lateral (RL) and upright (UR) postures and with solids. Data are mean ± SE; a P-value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Elderly dysphagic patients had higher BLESP than younger patients (23.4 ± 3.8 vs 14.9 ± 1.2 mmHg; P < 0.05). Pre-swallow LESP was elevated in the elderly in both postures (RL: 1 and 4 s P = 0.019 and P = 0.05; UR: P < 0.05 and P = 0.05) and solids (P < 0.01). In older patients, LES nadir pressure was higher with liquids (RL: 2.3 ± 0.6 mmHg vs 0.7 ± 0.6 mmHg, P < 0.05; UR: 3.5 ± 0.9 mmHg vs 1.6 ± 0.5 mmHg, P = 0.01) with shorter relaxation after solids (7.9 ± 1.5 s vs 9.7 ± 0.4 s, P = 0.05). No age-related differences were seen in esophageal body pressures or peristalsis duration. CONCLUSION: Basal LES pressure is elevated and swallow-induced relaxation impaired in elderly dysphagic patients. Its contribution to dysphagia and the effects of healthy ageing require further investigation.展开更多
AIM: To determine the clinical outcome and predictors of survival after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt (TIPS) implantation in cirrhotic patients. METHODS: Eighty-one patients with liver cirrho...AIM: To determine the clinical outcome and predictors of survival after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt (TIPS) implantation in cirrhotic patients. METHODS: Eighty-one patients with liver cirrhosis and consequential portal hypertension had TIPS implanta- tion (bare metal) for either refractory ascites (RA) (n = 27) or variceal bleeding (VB) (n = 54). Endpoints for the study were: technical success, stent occlusion and stent stenosis, rebleeding, RA and mortality. Clini- cal records of patients were collected and analysed. Baseline characteristics [e.g., age, sex, CHILD score and the model for end-stage liver disease score (MELD score), underlying disease] were retrieved. The Kaplan- Meier method was employed to calculate survival from the time of TIPS implantation and comparisons were made by log rank test. A multivariate analysis of factors influencing survival was carried out using the Cox pro- portional hazards regression model. Results were ex- pressed as medians and ranges. Comparisons between groups were performed by using the Mann-Whitney U-test and the4,2 test as appropriate. RESULTS: No difference could be seen in terms of age, sex, underlying disease or degree of portal pressure gradient (PPG) reduction between the ascites and the bleeding group. The PPG significantly decreased from 23.4 ± 5.3 mmHg (VB) vs 22.1± 5.5 mmHg (RA) be- fore TIPS to 11.8 ±4.0 vs 11.7 ± 4.2 after TIPS im- plantation (P = 0.001 within each group). There was a tendency towards more patients with stage CHILD A in the bleeding group compared to the ascites group (24 vs 6, P = 0.052). The median survival for the ascites group was 29 mo compared to 〉 60 mo for the bleed- ing group (P = 0.009). The number of radiological con- trols for stent patency was 6.3 for bleeders and 3.8 for ascites patients (P = 0.029). Kaplan-Meier calculation indicated that stent occlusion at first control (P = 0.027), ascites prior to TIPS implantation (P = 0.009), CHILD stage (P = 0.013), MELD score (P = 0.001) and those patients not having undergone liver transplantation (P = 0.024) were significant predictors of survival. In the Cox regression model, stent occlusion (P = 0.022), RA (P = 0.043), CHILD stage (P = 0.015) and MELD score (P = 0.004) turned out to be independent prognostic factors of survival. The anticoagulation management (P = 0.097), the porto-systemic pressure gradient (P= 0.460) and rebleeding episodes (P = 0.765) had no significant effect on the overall survival. CONCLUSION: RA, stent occlusion, initial CHILD stage and MELD score are independent predictors of survival in patients with TIPS, speaking for a close follow-up in these circumstances.展开更多
The authors propose a new approach to the theory of Spin-Boson and Spin-Fermion Topological Model of Consciousness. The authors have studied and proposed new concepts: hyper-information and hyper-thinking and hyper-c...The authors propose a new approach to the theory of Spin-Boson and Spin-Fermion Topological Model of Consciousness. The authors have studied and proposed new concepts: hyper-information and hyper-thinking and hyper-consciousness.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the appropriate time for combination therapy in HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B(CHB) patients with decompensated cirrhosis.METHODS:Thirty HBeAg positive CHB patients with decompensated cirrhosis ...AIM:To investigate the appropriate time for combination therapy in HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B(CHB) patients with decompensated cirrhosis.METHODS:Thirty HBeAg positive CHB patients with decompensated cirrhosis were enrolled in the study.All of the patients were given 48 wk combination therapy with lamivudine(LAM) and adefovir dipivoxil(ADV) .Briefly,10 patients were given the de novo combination therapy with LAM and ADV,whereas the other 20 patients received ADV in addition to LAM after hepatitis B virus(HBV) genetic mutation.RESULTS:Serum alanine aminotransferase and total bilirubin were both improved in the two groups at 4,12,24 and 48 wk after treatment.Serum albumin was also improved at 24 and 48 wk after combination therapy in both groups.The serum HBV DNA level wasstill detectable in every patient in the two groups at 4 and 12 wk after combination treatment.However,in the de novo combination group,serum HBV DNA levels in 4(40%) and 9(90%) patients was decreased to below 1×10 3 copies/mL at 24 and 48 wk after the combination treatment,respectively.In parallel,serum HBV DNA levels in 2(20%) and 8(40%) patients in the add-on combination group became undetectable at 24 and 48 wk after combination treatment,respectively.Furthermore,6(60%) patients in the de novo combination group achieved HBeAg seroconversion after 48 wk treatment,whereas only 4(20%) patients in the add-on combination group achieved seroconversion.Child-Pugh score of patients in the de novo combination group was better than that of patients in the add-on combination group after 48 wk treatment.Moreover,patients in the de novo combination group had a significantly decreased serum creatinine level and elevated red blood cell counts.CONCLUSION:De novo combination therapy with LAM and ADV was better than add-on combination therapy in terms of Child-Pugh score,virus inhibition and renal function.展开更多
文摘AIM: To evaluate the esophageal motility and abnormal acid and bile reflux incidence in cirrhotic patients without esophageal varices (EV). METHODS: Seventy-eight patients with liver cirrhosis without EV confirmed by upper gastroesophageal endoscopy and 30 healthy control volunteers were prospectively enrolled in this study. All the patients were evaluated using a modified protocol including Child-Pugh score, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, esophageal manometry, simultaneous ambulatory 24-h esophageal pH and bilirubin monitoring. All the patients and volunteers accepted the manometric study. RESULTS: In the liver cirrhosis group, lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP, 15.32 ± 2.91 mmHg), peristaltic amplitude (PA, 61.41 ± 10.52 mmHg), peristaltic duration (PD, 5.32 ± 1.22 s), and peristaltic velocity (PV, 5.22 ± 1.11 cm/s) were all significantly abnormal in comparison with those in the control group (P < 0.05), and LESP was negatively correlated with Child-Pugh score. The incidence of reflux esophagitis (RE) and pathologic reflux was 37.18% and 55.13%, respectively(vs control, P < 0.05). And the incidence of isolated abnormal acid reflux, bile reflux and mixed reflux was 12.82%, 14.10% and 28.21% in patients with liver cirrhosis without EV. CONCLUSION: Cirrhotic patients without EV presented esophageal motor disorders and mixed acid and bile reflux was the main pattern; the cirrhosis itself was an important causative factor.
基金Supported by A Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Aichi Medical University Alumni Association, in part
文摘AIM: To evaluate the effects of omeprazole on gastric mechanosensitivity in humans. METHODS: A double lumen polyvinyl tube with a plas- tic bag was introduced into the stomach of healthy volunteers under fluorography and connected to a barostat device. Subjects were then positioned so they were sitting comfortably, and the minimal distending pressure (MDP) was determined after a 30-rain adap- tation period. Isobaric distensions were performed in stepwise increments of 2 mmHg (2 min each) starting from the MDR Subjects were instructed to score feel- ings at the end of every step using a graphic rating scale: 0, no perception; 1, weak/vague; 2, weak but significant; 3, moderate/vague; 4, moderate but signifi- cant; 5, severe discomfort; and 6, unbearable pain. Af- ter this first test, subjects received omeprazole (20 mg, after dinner) once daily for 1 wk. A second test was performed on the last day of treatment. RESULTS: No adverse effects were observed. Mean MDP before and after treatment was 6.3 - 0.3 mmHg and 6.2:1:0.5 mmHg, respectively. One subject before and 2 after treatment did not reach a score of 6 at the maximum bag volume of 750 mL. After omeprazole, there was a significant increase in the distension pres- sure required to reach scores of 1 (P = 0.019) and 2 (P = 0.017) as compared to baseline. There were no changes in pressure required to reach the other scores after treatment. Two subjects before and one after omeprazole rated their abdominal feeling 〈 1 at MDP, and mean (±SE) abdominal discomfort scores at MDP were 0.13±0.09 and 0.04±0.04, respectively. Mean scores induced by each MDP + 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 (mmHg) were 1.1±0.3, 2.0±0.4, 2.9±0.5, 3.3±0.4, 4.6±0.3, 5.2±0.3, 5.5±0.2, 5.5±0.3, 5.7±0.3, and 5.4, respectively. After omepra- zole, abdominal feeling scores for the same incremen- tal pressures over MDP were 0.3±0.1, 0.8±0.1, 2.0±0.4, 2.8±0.4, 3.8±0.4, 4.6±0.4, 4.9±0.3, 5.4±0.4, 5.2±0.6, and 5.0±1.0, respectively. A signif- icant decrease in feeling score was observed at intra- bag pressures of MDP + 2 mmHg (P = 0.028) and + 4 mmHg (P = 0.013), respectively, after omeprazole. No significant score changes were observed at pres- sures ≥ MDP + 6 mmHg. CONCLUSION: Although the precise mechanisms are undetermined, the present study demonstrated that omeprazole decreases mechanosensitivity to mild gas- tric distension.
文摘AIM: To analyze the association between the emergence of tyrosine-methionine-asparatate-asparatate (YMDD) mutants (reverse transcription; rtM204I/V) and deterioration of liver function during long-term lamivudine treatment of Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. METHODS: The data of 61 consecutive Japanese pa- tients with chronic hepatitis B who underwent continu- ous lamivudine treatment for more than 24 mo and had a virological response were analyzed. Analysis of YMDD mutants was done by real-time polymerase chain reaction with LightCycler probe hybridization assay for up to 90 mo (mean, 50.8 too; range, 24-90 too).RESULTS: A mixed mutant-type (YMDD + tyrosine-iso- leucine-asparatate-asparatate: YIDD or tyrosine-valineasparatate-asparatate: YVDD) or a mutant-type (YIDD or YVDD) were found in 57.4% of 61 patients at i year, 78.7% of 61 patients at 2 years, 79.6% of 49 patients at 3 years, 70.5% of 34 patients at 4 years, 68.4% of 19 patients at 5 years, 57.1% of 14 patients at 6 years, and 33.3% of 6 patients at 7 years. Of the 61 patients, 56 (92%) had mixed mutant- or a mutant-type. Only 5 (8%) had no mutants at each observation point. Vi- rological breakthrough was found in 26 (46.4%) of 56 patients with YMDD mutants, 20 of whom had a hepa- titis flare-up: the remaining 30 (53.6%) had neither a virological breakthrough nor a flare-up. All 20 patients who developed a hepatitis flare-up had a biochemical and virological response after adefovir was added to the lamivudine treatment. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that it is possible to continue lamivudine treatment, even after the emergence of YMDD mutants, up to the time that the patients develop a hepatitis flare-up.
文摘This study aims to clarify the factors that form rice prices for different producing areas and brands in Japan, while ascertaining consumers' criteria in purchasing rice and their preference for taste in China, in order to establish the method to formulate an overseas marketing strategy for Japanese rice.
基金Supported by the National Natural and Science Foundation of China(30871042)
文摘Objective: To observe the effect of different combination antihypertensive therapies on plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) concentration and left ventricular diastolic function of essential hypertension patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) Methods: A total of 111 patients with essential hypertension were selected, including 60 cases (34 males, 26 females) aged (60.7±5.6) years with simple hypertension, and 51 cases (28 males, 23 females) aged (61.8±7.0) years with essential hypertension complicated with LVH. Essential hypertension patients with LVH were randomly divided into the group of amlodipine (2.5 mg/d) combined with telmisartan (40 mg/d, n=26) and the group of amlodipine (2.5 mg/d) combined with amiloride (half tablet/d, n=25),and the treatment lasted for 1 year. Echocardiography was performed before and after the treatment. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI), left ventricular isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) and other indicators were detected, and plasma ET-1 concentrations were measured for comparative analysis. And 56 patients (31 males, 25 females) aged (59.3±6.7) years with normal blood pressure in the same period in our hospital were selected as the normal control group. Results: The general clinical characteristics were similar between hypertensive LVH group, simple hypertensive group and normal healthy control group. Plasma ET-1 concentrations, LVMI and IVRT of hypertensive LVH group were significantly higher than those of normal control group and simple hypertension group, and the difference was statistically significant. The patients' baseline blood pressure, ET-1, LVMI, interventricular septal thickness (IVST), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWT), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd) and other clinical parameters showed no significant difference (P〉0.05) between the group of amlodipine combined with telmisartan and the group of amlodipine combined with amiloride. It was found that compared with that before treatment, blood pressure could be effectively controlled (P〈0.05), and LVMI, IVST, LVPWT and IVRT (P〈0.05) were all lowered, and ET-1 (P〈0.01) was significantly reduced after 1 year of antihypertensive therapy in both the group of amlodipine combined with telmisartan and the group of amlodipine combined with amiloride. The group of amlodipine combined with telmisartan was better in lowering blood pressure and reducing LVMI, IVST, LVPWT, IVRT and ET-1 than the group of amlodipine combined with amiloride (P〈0.05). Conelus|on: Amlodipine-based combination antthypertensive therapy could reverse LVH and improve left ventricular diastolic function partly by lowering blood pressure and ET-1, and the effect of amlodipine combined with telmisartan was superior to that ofamlodipine combined with amiloride
文摘AIM: To characterize the effects of age on the mechanisms underlying the common condition of esophageal dysphagia in older patients, using detailed manometric analysis. METHODS: A retrospective case-control audit was performed on 19 patients aged ≥ 80 years (mean age 85 ± 0.7 year) who underwent a manometric study for dysphagia (2004-2009). Data were compared with 19 younger dysphagic patients (32 ± 1.7 years). Detailed manometric analysis performed prospectively included basal lower esophageal sphincter pressure (BLESP), pre-swallow and nadir LESP, esophageal body pressures and peristaltic duration, during water swallows (5 mL) in right lateral (RL) and upright (UR) postures and with solids. Data are mean ± SE; a P-value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Elderly dysphagic patients had higher BLESP than younger patients (23.4 ± 3.8 vs 14.9 ± 1.2 mmHg; P < 0.05). Pre-swallow LESP was elevated in the elderly in both postures (RL: 1 and 4 s P = 0.019 and P = 0.05; UR: P < 0.05 and P = 0.05) and solids (P < 0.01). In older patients, LES nadir pressure was higher with liquids (RL: 2.3 ± 0.6 mmHg vs 0.7 ± 0.6 mmHg, P < 0.05; UR: 3.5 ± 0.9 mmHg vs 1.6 ± 0.5 mmHg, P = 0.01) with shorter relaxation after solids (7.9 ± 1.5 s vs 9.7 ± 0.4 s, P = 0.05). No age-related differences were seen in esophageal body pressures or peristalsis duration. CONCLUSION: Basal LES pressure is elevated and swallow-induced relaxation impaired in elderly dysphagic patients. Its contribution to dysphagia and the effects of healthy ageing require further investigation.
基金Supported by A research fellowship from the Faculty of Medicine, Westflische Wilhelms-Universitt Münster
文摘AIM: To determine the clinical outcome and predictors of survival after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt (TIPS) implantation in cirrhotic patients. METHODS: Eighty-one patients with liver cirrhosis and consequential portal hypertension had TIPS implanta- tion (bare metal) for either refractory ascites (RA) (n = 27) or variceal bleeding (VB) (n = 54). Endpoints for the study were: technical success, stent occlusion and stent stenosis, rebleeding, RA and mortality. Clini- cal records of patients were collected and analysed. Baseline characteristics [e.g., age, sex, CHILD score and the model for end-stage liver disease score (MELD score), underlying disease] were retrieved. The Kaplan- Meier method was employed to calculate survival from the time of TIPS implantation and comparisons were made by log rank test. A multivariate analysis of factors influencing survival was carried out using the Cox pro- portional hazards regression model. Results were ex- pressed as medians and ranges. Comparisons between groups were performed by using the Mann-Whitney U-test and the4,2 test as appropriate. RESULTS: No difference could be seen in terms of age, sex, underlying disease or degree of portal pressure gradient (PPG) reduction between the ascites and the bleeding group. The PPG significantly decreased from 23.4 ± 5.3 mmHg (VB) vs 22.1± 5.5 mmHg (RA) be- fore TIPS to 11.8 ±4.0 vs 11.7 ± 4.2 after TIPS im- plantation (P = 0.001 within each group). There was a tendency towards more patients with stage CHILD A in the bleeding group compared to the ascites group (24 vs 6, P = 0.052). The median survival for the ascites group was 29 mo compared to 〉 60 mo for the bleed- ing group (P = 0.009). The number of radiological con- trols for stent patency was 6.3 for bleeders and 3.8 for ascites patients (P = 0.029). Kaplan-Meier calculation indicated that stent occlusion at first control (P = 0.027), ascites prior to TIPS implantation (P = 0.009), CHILD stage (P = 0.013), MELD score (P = 0.001) and those patients not having undergone liver transplantation (P = 0.024) were significant predictors of survival. In the Cox regression model, stent occlusion (P = 0.022), RA (P = 0.043), CHILD stage (P = 0.015) and MELD score (P = 0.004) turned out to be independent prognostic factors of survival. The anticoagulation management (P = 0.097), the porto-systemic pressure gradient (P= 0.460) and rebleeding episodes (P = 0.765) had no significant effect on the overall survival. CONCLUSION: RA, stent occlusion, initial CHILD stage and MELD score are independent predictors of survival in patients with TIPS, speaking for a close follow-up in these circumstances.
文摘The authors propose a new approach to the theory of Spin-Boson and Spin-Fermion Topological Model of Consciousness. The authors have studied and proposed new concepts: hyper-information and hyper-thinking and hyper-consciousness.
基金Supported by Glorious Funds from Chinese foundation for hepatitis prevention and control,No.GHF2010205
文摘AIM:To investigate the appropriate time for combination therapy in HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B(CHB) patients with decompensated cirrhosis.METHODS:Thirty HBeAg positive CHB patients with decompensated cirrhosis were enrolled in the study.All of the patients were given 48 wk combination therapy with lamivudine(LAM) and adefovir dipivoxil(ADV) .Briefly,10 patients were given the de novo combination therapy with LAM and ADV,whereas the other 20 patients received ADV in addition to LAM after hepatitis B virus(HBV) genetic mutation.RESULTS:Serum alanine aminotransferase and total bilirubin were both improved in the two groups at 4,12,24 and 48 wk after treatment.Serum albumin was also improved at 24 and 48 wk after combination therapy in both groups.The serum HBV DNA level wasstill detectable in every patient in the two groups at 4 and 12 wk after combination treatment.However,in the de novo combination group,serum HBV DNA levels in 4(40%) and 9(90%) patients was decreased to below 1×10 3 copies/mL at 24 and 48 wk after the combination treatment,respectively.In parallel,serum HBV DNA levels in 2(20%) and 8(40%) patients in the add-on combination group became undetectable at 24 and 48 wk after combination treatment,respectively.Furthermore,6(60%) patients in the de novo combination group achieved HBeAg seroconversion after 48 wk treatment,whereas only 4(20%) patients in the add-on combination group achieved seroconversion.Child-Pugh score of patients in the de novo combination group was better than that of patients in the add-on combination group after 48 wk treatment.Moreover,patients in the de novo combination group had a significantly decreased serum creatinine level and elevated red blood cell counts.CONCLUSION:De novo combination therapy with LAM and ADV was better than add-on combination therapy in terms of Child-Pugh score,virus inhibition and renal function.