PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T Naka

Publications and source records attributed to T Naka.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Beneficial effect of interferon-beta treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis is associated with transient increase in serum IL-6 level in response to interferon-beta injection.

In order to predict the clinical benefit of interferon-beta (IFN-beta) to patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), the following markers were investigated; (1) chronological change of cytokines (IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-10, and TGF-beta) after administration of IFN-beta, (2) untoward effects of IFN-beta such as headache and arthralgia, (3) backgrounds of the patients such as age and relapse rate, (4) efficacy of IFN-beta therapy assessed by the change of relapse rate and progression of disability. Chronological blood sampling was performed 0, 10, and 24 h after injection of IFN-beta. The increase of serum IL-6 level in response to IFN-beta administration was associated with headache, arthralgia, relapse rate before treatment, and disability score at the initiation of the therapy. Significant association of change of serum TNF-alpha with age and headache was also observed. The important finding in this study was that patients with a transient increase in IL-6 in response to IFN-beta showed a slow disease progression. This result suggests that this transient increase in the serum IL-6 predicts favorable response to IFN-beta treatment.

Adult↗

Risk factors for dysbaric osteonecrosis.

OBJECTIVES: Dysbaric osteonecrosis (DON) is a complication of ineffective decompression following exposure to high-pressure environments. This study was designed to determine risk factors for the occurrence of DON in divers. METHODS: Fifty-six male divers received skeletal examinations by radiography to assess the occurrence of DON. A questionnaire was used to obtain clinical and diving information, including diving experience and maximum diving depth. Blood samples were collected to analyse the levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1, cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, apolipoprotein A1 and apolipoprotein B. RESULTS: Lesions of DON were detected in 31 of the 56 (55%) divers. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that high levels of PAI-1, a coagulation marker (odds ratio 4.281; P=0.0296) and great maximum diving depth (odds ratio 5.627; P=0.0231) were independent predictors of DON. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown the presence of coagulation abnormality in divers with DON. This result suggests that a pharmacological approach incorporating the use of an anticoagulant may represent a potential strategy for the prevention of DON.

Adult↗

Acid-base balance during continuous veno-venous hemofiltration: the impact of severe hepatic failure.

BACKGROUND: Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) affects acid-base balance but the influence of severe hepatic failure (SHF) on this effect is unknown. AIM: To assess the effect of SHF on acid-base balance in patients receiving CVVH. DESIGN: Retrospective laboratory investigation. SUBJECTS: Forty patients with SHF and acute renal failure (ARF) treated with CVVH and 42 critically ill patients with severe ARF but no liver disease also treated with CVVH (controls). INTERVENTION: Retrieval of clinical and laboratory data from prospective unit and laboratory databases. METHODS: Quantitative acid-base status assessment using the Stewart-Figge methodology. Comparison of findings between the two groups. RESULTS: Although CVVH had a major effect on acid base balance in both groups, patients with SHF had a higher mean lactate concentrations (4.8 vs. 3.1 mmol/L; p<0.0005), a greater base deficit compared to controls (-1 vs. 4.1 mEq/L; p<0.0001) and a lower PaCO 2 tension (36.8 vs. 42.5 mmHg; p<0.0001), despite the use of bicarbonate replacement fluid. The acidifying effect of hyperlactatemia was slightly worsened by an increased strong ion gap (9.3 vs. 4.9 mEq/L; p<0.0001). It was, however, attenuated by an increased strong ion difference apparent (SIDa) (43.6 vs. 41.9 mEq/L; p<0.05) secondary to hypochloremia (96 vs. 100 mmol/L; p<0.0001) and by hypoalbuminemia, although hypoalbuminemia in SHF patients (26 vs. 23; p<0.005) was less pronounced than in controls. CONCLUSION: The use of CVVH does not fully correct the independent acidifying effect of liver failure on acid-base status. Increased lactate and strong ion gap values maintain a persistent base deficit despite the alkalinizing effects of hypoalbuminemia and hypochloremia. The correction of acidosis in SHF patients may require more intensive CVVH.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Enhanced expression of suppressor of cytokine signalling-1 in the liver of chronic hepatitis C: possible involvement in resistance to interferon therapy.

Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) is widely used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC). The suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) family has been implicated in the regulation of JAK-STAT signalling, including IFN signalling. The negative effect of SOCS expression on the response of CHC to IFN-alpha is demonstrated here. The transcriptional levels of SOCS-1 and -3 in the livers of 21 patients with CHC and eight controls were investigated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. We established stable transfectants of SOCS-1 in a human hepatoma cell line, PLC/PRF/5 and analysed the effects of SOCS-1 on the phosphorylation of IFN-alpha-induced STAT-1 tyrosine by immunoblotting and the expression of antiviral genes by Northern blot. A prospective cohort study on SOCS-1 expression and clinical outcome was carried out in 77 patients with CHC who received IFN therapy. SOCS-1, but not SOCS-3, transcripts in the livers of CHC were significantly higher than controls (P < 0.005). IFN-alpha-induced STAT-1 phosphorylation and the expression of antiviral genes were inhibited in SOCS-1-transfected cells. Patients showing high SOCS-1 expression in the liver had a significantly lower rate of sustained virological response (SVR) to IFN therapy than those with low SOCS-1 expression (P = 0.0014). A multivariate analysis performed with host factors revealed that SOCS-1 staining in the liver can serve as a significant predictor for IFN SVR (P = 0.004). SOCS-1 expression is enhanced in the livers of CHC patients and might be involved in resistance to IFN therapy.

Adult↗

Commercial low-citrate anticoagulation haemofiltration in high risk patients with frequent filter clotting.

This study assessed the safety and efficacy of a commercial low-citrate concentration-based pre-filter replacement fluid during continuous veno-venous haemofiltration (CVVH) in patients with frequent filter clotting and high risk of bleeding. We used a commercial low-citrate fluid as pre-dilution replacement fluid during CVVH (citrate: 11 mmol/l (33 meq/l), sodium: 140 mmol/l, chloride: 108 mmol/l and potassium: 1 mmol/l). A calcium and magnesium infusion was delivered separately by central line for the maintenance of serum ionized calcium (Cai) and total magnesium (Mg). In this prospective observational study, 30 patients, 124 filters and 1,515 treatment-hours were observed. Median filter life of citrate CVVH was 9.5 hours. Filter life in the 48 hours prior to citrate CVVH was also observed. In the patients on prior non-anticoagulant CVVH (n=14) filter life increased significantly with citrate (9.5 hours vs 5 hours; P<0.0001). In patients on prior heparin CVVH (n = 15), filter life was similar with citrate (10 hours vs 8 hours; P = 0.68). However, in patients with prior early/frequent filter clotting despite heparin (n = 11) filter life increased significantly (10 hours vs 7 hours; P=0.038). Of 411 serum Cai measurements, none showed a Cai < 0.85 mmol/l and, of 84 observations, none showed a serum Mg<0. 6 mmol/l. One patient with sepsis and shock needed to cease citrate CVVH because of progressive ionized hypocalcaemia and increasing anion gap. No other adverse effects were observed. In selected patients, CVVH with a commercial low-citrate concentration solution as pre-filter replacement fluid and a simultaneous calcium and magnesium infusion protocol appears generally safe. Filter life was acceptable and superior to that achieved with previous treatment.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Low-dose citrate continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) and acid-base balance.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the acid-base effect of low-dose regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) during continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH). DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: ICUs of tertiary public and private hospitals. SUBJECTS: Thirty critically ill patients with acute renal failure at risk of bleeding or with a major contraindication to heparin-CVVH and/or short filter life. METHODS: We used a commercial citrate-based fluid (11 mmol/L, sodium: 140 mmol/L, chloride: 108 mmol/L and 1 mol/L of potassium) as pre-dilution replacement fluid during CVVH. Further potassium was added according to serum potassium levels. We measured all relevant variables for acid-base analysis according to the Stewart-Figge methodology. RESULTS: Before treatment, study patients had a slight metabolic acidosis, which worsened over 6 hours of RCA-CVVH (pH from 7.39 to 7.38, p < 0.005; bicarbonate from 23.2 to 21.6 mmol/L, p < 0.0001 and base excess from -2.0 to -3.0 mEq/L, p < 0.0001) due to a significant increase in SIG (from 5.8 to 6.6 mEq/L, p < 0.05) and a decrease in SIDa (from 37.5 to 36.6 mEq/L, p < 0.05). These acidifying effects were attenuated by hypoalbuminemia and a decrease in lactate (from 1.48 to 1.34 mmol/L, p < 0.005) and did not lead to progressive acidosis. On cessation of treatment, this acidifying effect rapidly self-corrected within six hours. CONCLUSIONS: Low dose RCA-CVVH induces a mild acidosis secondary to an increased strong ion gap and decreased SIDa which fully self-corrects at cessation of therapy. Clinicians need to be aware of these effects to correctly interpret changes in acid-base status in such patients.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

A comparison of two citrate anticoagulation regimens for continuous veno-venous hemofiltration.

AIMS: To assess the safety and efficacy of two different commercial citrate containing pre-filter replacement fluids during continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) in patients with frequent filter clotting. SETTING: Four intensive care units. PATIENTS: Sixty-three critically ill patients with acute renal failure (ARF). DESIGN: Prospective observational study. METHODS: We used a commercial citrate fluid (citrate: 11 mmol/L -fluid A) as predilution replacement for CVVH. We then changed to a new commercial citrate fluid (citrate: 14 mmol/L-fluid B) as replacement fluid and performed statistical comparisons. Replacement fluid rate was fixed at 2,000 ml/hour. RESULTS: Filter life was 12.2 hour with fluid A compared with 17.1 hour with fluid B on average (p=0.0001). Mean post filter ionized calcium concentration was 0.52 mmol/L with fluid A compared with 0.40 mmol/L with fluid B (p<0.0001). Citrate intolerance led to cessation of treatment in one patient with fluid A and one patient with fluid B. Overall ionized calcium levels were higher (A: 1.18 vs B: 1.13 mmol/L; p<0.0001) and bicarbonate was lower (A: 22.4 vs B: 24.5 mmol/L; p<0.0001) during treatment with fluid A. Alkalemia was seen in 10 patients treated with fluid A and 16 patients treated with fluid B (NS). CONCLUSIONS: We have developed a simple approach to regional citrate anticoagulation for CVVH using a commercial citrate-containing fluid as replacement fluid. Increasing citrate concentration from 11 to 14 mmol/L increased filter life while maintaining relative safety and simplicity.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

A pilot study of pulse contour cardiac output monitoring in patients with septic shock.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between PiCCO-derived signals and conventional measures of pre-load and gas exchange in patients with septic shock. METHODS: Prospective observational study of 23 patients with septic shock. Scheduled collection of clinical, conventional haemodynamic and PiCCO derived variables. Statistical analysis of correlations. RESULTS: Patients had a mean SAPS II score of 53.5 +/- 14.5 with 78.3% on mechanical ventilation at PiCCO insertion. PiCCO monitoring lasted a mean of 4.3 +/- 2.9 days. SAPS II predicted 28-day mortality was 54.2%, while actual mortality was 39.1%. At PiCCO insertion, there was an inverse correlation between cardiac (CI) and extravascular lung water index (EVLWI) (r = -0.442; p < 0.05). During treatment, the most significant correlation was between the PiCCO-derived global end-diastolic volume index (GEDVI) and PaO(2)/F(I)O(2) ratio (r = 0.386; p < 0.01). There was also a correlation between changes in GEDVI and changes in CI (r = 0.329; p < 0.01). Increases in EVLWI correlated with decreases in PaO(2)/F(I)O(2) ratio( )(r = -0.332; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: PiCCO-derived pre-load and extravascular lung water signals show logical associations with conventional indirect indicators of haemodynamic and fluid status suggesting physiological and clinical relevance.

Journal Article↗

Negligent homicide by traumatic asphyxia.

We presented an unusual case of negligent homicide by thorax compression, which is the expanded concept of traumatic asphyxia. A 58-year-old man was restrained in the prone position by six prison officers. They were ordered by their superiors to continue restraining him for about 15 min and the victim died. At the forensic autopsy, typical findings of thorax compression with intramuscular hemorrhages on the back and multiple fractures of the ribs were observed. No evidence of neck compression/smothering or other fatal issues likely to occur by chest compression was found. The reconstruction of the scene corresponded exactly with the localization of the injuries found in the victim. This is the first case of death by pure thorax compression without other fatal factors during intentional restraint, in which the force causing the chest compression was distinctly determined by the autopsy and reconstruction.

Asphyxia↗

Prolonged daily intermittent renal replacement therapy in ICU patients by ICU nurses and ICU physicians.

OBJECTIVES: Prolonged daily intermittent renal replacement therapy (PDIRRT) has been proposed as a new form of treatment for severe acute renal failure (ARF). However, this treatment has so far implied a) full dependence on nephrological input, b) lack of any convective clearance and c) limited purification of dialysate water. The aim of this study was to establish the feasibility and safety of performing PDIRRT in the ICU with a) no nephrological input, b) the addition of some convective clearance with on-line fluid replacement and c) a new advanced water purification system. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. PATIENTS: Fourteen patients treated with PDIRRT. SETTING: ICU of tertiary institution. INTERVENTIONS: Treatment of patients with severe ARF and critical illness with PDIRRT. Prescription of treatment by ICU physicians. Conduct of treatment by ICU nurses. Use of combined convective and diffusive therapy with on-line generation of fluid replacement, application of a double-filtration water purification system. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We prospectively collected demographic, biochemical, hemodynamic and clinical data in 14 patients, who received 30 PDIRRT treatments for a cumulative treatment time of 205.4 hours. The mean age was 57.9 +/- 16.0. Eight patients were male and 6 female. Their mean APACHE II score was 24.6 +/- 5.9 and their SAPS II score was 41.7 +/- 18.8. PDIRRT was used after at least 24 hours of initial stabilization with continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH). Blood flow was kept at 100 ml/min dialysate flow at 200 ml/min and convective clearance varied from 21 ml/min to 33 ml/min. All patients were either anuric or oliguric (UO < 400 ml/day). Ten patients were on mechanical ventilation and 11 patients on vasopressor support. Mean treatment session time was 6.9 +/- 1.8 hours. The mean pre-PDIRRT urea was 19.2 +/- 6.9 mmol/L and the creatinine was 274 +/- 116 micromol/L. The mean pre-PDIRRT lactate was 2.95 +/- 2.24 mmol/L. Following treatment, all had significantly decreased to 13.2 +/- 6.3 mmol/L, 215 +/- 95 micromol/L and 2.25 +/- 1.61 mmol/L, respectively (p=<0.0001, <0.0001, <0.05). Bicarbonate levels remained stable during treatment (23.0 +/- 3.8 mmol/L to 23.1 +/- 2.5 mmol/L). Mean norepinephrine dose changed from 8.8 +/- 11.9 microg/min to 12.9 +/- 27.0 microg/min after treatment (NS). There were no complications of therapy. Patient ICU survival was 71.4%. CONCLUSIONS: PDIRRT with combined diffusive and convective clearance is an efficacious form of renal replacement, which can be safely and effectively conducted by ICU nurses following prescription by ICU physicians without any nephrological involvement and with adequate double filtration water purification.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Kidney failure associated with liver transplantation or liver failure: the impact of continuous veno-venous hemofiltration.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The short-term outcome of critically ill patients with kidney failure combined with severe liver failure or orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx) is poor. We sought to test the hypothesis that, with the exclusive use of continuous veno-venous hemofilration (CVVH) with minimal heparin-anticoagulation, the short and long-term outcomes of these patients would be improved. PATIENTS: Sixty-six consecutive patients with combined liver and kidney failure SETTING: Intensive Care Unit of tertiary hospital DESIGN: Retrospective interrogation of prospectively collected databases INTERVENTION: Treatment of all patients with continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) by protocol with 2L/h of ultrafiltration rate and minimal use of circuit heparinization. Retrieval of specific information on demographic, clinical, therapeutic and outcome details. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: From July 1995 to April 2004, 66 patients with combined liver and renal failure received continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH). Of these, 26 received liver transplantation and 40 did not. There were no significant differences in age, APACHE II score, bilirubin, ALT, INR or albumin on admission. The average duration of CVVH was 9.5 days for OLTx patients and 5 days for non-transplanted patients (p=0.013). Heparin anticoagulation was used in only 12% of OLTx patients and 20% of non-transplanted patients. ICU mortality was 15% in OLTx patients and 63% in non-transplanted patients (p<0.0005); hospital mortality was 23% compared to 70% (p<0. 001). Mean survival time at follow up was 1,120 days compared to 358 days (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: ARF associated with OLTx has a much better outcome than ARF without OLTx. Furthermore, management based on a conservative anticoagulation policy and CVVH as the exclusive form of renal support was associated with the best ICU, hospital and long term survival reported so far.

Cause of Death↗

Circulating KL-6 levels in patients with drug induced pneumonitis.

BACKGROUND: The circulating level of KL-6/MUC1 is a sensitive marker for various interstitial lung diseases. Previous case reports have suggested that KL-6 may also be increased in some patients with drug induced pneumonitis. A study was undertaken to determine whether serum KL-6 could be a marker for particular types of drug induced pneumonitis. METHODS: The findings of high resolution computed tomographic (HRCT) chest scans of 30 patients with drug induced pneumonitis were reviewed separately by two independent observers. The pneumonitis was classified into four predominant patterns: widespread bilateral consolidation (diffuse alveolar damage, DAD; n=7), fibrosis with or without consolidation (chronic interstitial pneumonia, CIP; n=11), consolidation without fibrosis (bronchiolitis obliterans organising pneumonia or eosinophilic pneumonia, BOOP/EP; n=8), and diffuse ground glass opacities without fibrosis (hypersensitivity pneumonitis, HP; n=4). Serum KL-6 levels were measured by a sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The overall sensitivity of serum KL-6 in detecting drug induced lung disease was 53.3%, which was lower than its sensitivity in detecting other interstitial lung diseases. However, the KL-6 level was increased in most patients with a DAD or CIP pattern (16/18; 88.9%) and was closely correlated with their clinical course. In contrast, serum KL-6 levels were within the normal range in all patients with a BOOP/EP or HP pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Particular patterns detected by HRCT scanning, such as DAD and CIP but not the BOOP/EP or HP patterns, are associated with increased circulating KL-6 levels in drug induced pneumonitis. Serum KL-6 levels may reflect the clinical activity of the particular disorders.

Adult↗

Enantiodivergent synthesis of either enantiomer of ABCDE-ring analogue of antitumor antibiotic fredericamycin A via intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition approach.

[reaction: see text] An intramolecular enantiodivergent synthesis of both enantiomers of the ABCDE-ring analogue 22 of fredericamycin A is reported. Key steps involve an intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition of 17 and an aromatic Pummerer-type reaction of 19. A lipase-catalyzed enantioselective desymmetrization of prochiral diol 2 using 1-ethoxyvinyl 2-furoate 3 led to the pivotal intermediate (R)-4.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic↗

Potent dibasic GPIIb/IIIa antagonists with reduced prolongation of bleeding time: synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of 2-oxopiperazine derivatives.

A series of 2-oxopiperazine derivatives, possessing basic moieties at the 3- and the 4-positions, were synthesized and evaluated for their abilities to inhibit platelet aggregation and for their effects on bleeding time. Among the compounds, 2-[(3S)-4-[2-[(4-guanidinobenzoyl)amino]acetyl]-3-[3-[(4-guanidinobenzoyl)amino]propyl]-2-oxopiperazinyl]acetic acid (12c) showed a potent inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation and good dissociation between the efficacy and the bleeding side effect. Intravenous infusion of compound 12c at 1.6 microg/mL/min completely prevented arterial thrombus formation induced by endothelial injury in guinea pigs. The dose of 12c that prolonged the bleeding time to three times the control value was 5.8 microg/mL/min. These results suggest that compound 12c might be useful in the clinical treatment of thrombotic diseases, and we selected 12c (TAK-024) as a candidate for the clinical trials.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-induced STAT inhibitor 1 (SSI-1)/suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) inhibits insulin signal transduction pathway through modulating insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) phosphorylation.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-induced STAT inhibitor 1 (SSI-1) is known to function as a negative feedback regulator of cytokine signaling, but it is unclear whether it is involved in other biological events. Here, we show that SSI-1 participates and plays an important role in the insulin signal transduction pathway. SSI-1-deficient mice showed a significantly low level of blood sugar. While the forced expression of SSI-1 reduced the phosphorylation level of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), SSI-1 deficiency resulted in sustained phosphorylation of IRS-1 in response to insulin.Furthermore, SSI-1 achieves this inhibition both by binding directly to IRS-1 and by suppressing Janus kinases. These findings suggest that SSI-1 acts as a negative feedback factor also in the insulin signal transduction pathway through the suppression of IRS-1 phosphorylation.

Animals↗

Structure-activity relationship of mycoloyl glycolipids derived from Rhodococcus sp. 4306.

Novel mycoloyl glycolipids with short carbon chains were isolated and purified from Rhodococcus sp. 4306, a soil origin of Actinomycetales. Their chemical structures were identified as trehalose 6,6'-dimycolate (TDM), trehalose 6-monomycolate, glucose 6-monomycolate, mannose 6-monomycolate and fructose 6-monomycolate. The length of carbon chains and number of double bonds of mycolic acids were C(34), C(36)and C(38)saturated, monoenoic and dienoic molecular species, which were much shorter than those of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (C(78-88)monoenoic and dienoic). Among them, only TDM could induce prominent granulomatous inflammation of the lung and spleen in mice. By contrast, other mycoloyl glycolipids induced mild lesions. The small-sized TDM of Rhodococcus possessed granulomatogenic activity, however, the toxicity was much lower than that of M. tuberculosis. Rhodococcal TDM was composed of mycolic acid with the shortest carbon chains, when compared to granulomatogenic TDM of Mycobacterium, Nocardia and Rhodococcus reported previously. Our results imply that rhodococcal TDM is a pathogenetic factor similar to that of M. tuberculosis, although rhodococcal TDM exhibits low toxicity.

Actinomycetales Infections↗

Toxicity and mutagenesis of chrysotile asbestos to Agrobacterium radiobacter.

The mutation of Agrobacterium radiobacter cells exposed to chrysotile asbestos was examined by the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method. Approximately 1.4 kbp of DNA in A. radiobacter, which was not amplified strongly in the cells that were not exposed to asbestos, was amplified in the cells that were exposed to asbestos. Mutation in genomic DNA of A. radiobacter was found to be induced by asbestos. Specific DNA that was amplified by asbestos present in PCR products and that which exists latently in genomic DNA were cloned, and these sequences were then determined and compared. It was shown that one of the mutations by the asbestos in the A. radiobacter occurred only in the primer annealed region and was a point mutation or deletion.

Asbestos, Serpentine↗

Postoperative evaluation of pylorus-preserving procedures compared with conventional distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer.

We evaluated postoperative function in 98 patients who underwent surgery for early gastric cancer between 1995 and 1998 to compare the results of pylorus-preserving procedures to those of conventional distal gastrectomy with Billroth I (B-I). The pylorus-preserving procedures included endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), performed in 12 patients; local resection (Local), performed in 14 patients; segmental resection (Seg), performed in 8 patients; and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG), performed in 19 patients. B-I was performed in 45 patients. The nutritional status and serum albumin (Alb) levels after PPG, the hemoglobin (Hb) levels after EMR, Local, and PPG, and the present/preoperative body weight ratios after EMR, Local, Seg, and PPG were superior to those after B-I. The time before oral intake was recommenced after EMR and Local, the volume of oral intake tolerated after EMR, Local, Seg, and PPG, and the postoperative hospital stay after EMR were all superior to those after B-I. Moreover, significantly fewer patients suffered reflux symptoms after EMR, Local, and PPG, abdominal fullness after EMR, and early dumping syndrome after EMR, Local, and PPG than after B-I. There was also less evidence of gastritis after EMR, Local, and PPG, and of bile reflux after EMR, Local, and PPG, than after B-I. These findings indicate that pylorus-preserving procedures may result in a better postoperative quality of life for selected patients with early gastric cancer.

Adult↗