A case of intrahepatic stones with an anomalous intrahepatic portal venous system

A 64-year-old woman who had undergone surgery for gallstones twice was admitted with epigastric pain and fever. Ultrasonography revealed gallstones in the dilated left lateral intrahepatic bile ducts. Abdominal computed tomography disclosed atrophy of the left lateral segment and the right lobe of the liver, and hypertrophy of the left medial segment and the caudate lobe. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography demonstrated that the stones were localized in the left lateral intrahepatic bile ducts, and that the choledochoduodenostomy previously established was patent. Percutaneous transhepatic portography revealed that the left portal vein was absent and the left medial segment was supplied by the right portal vein. Left lateral hepatic segmentectomy and release of the choledochoduodenostomy were performed. Postoperative recovery was good, and the patient is now well without any complaint. This report discusses the surgical treatment for intrahepatic stones under very complicated conditions and the relationship between intrahepatic stones and anomalous portal venous system.     

High‐order harmonic resonance phenomena of a voltage‐sourced converter in cable system

This paper presents high‐order harmonic resonance phenomena of voltage‐sourced converters (VSC). When a voltage‐sourced converter is connected to a power system with cables, there is a possibility that minute high‐order harmonic voltages of a voltage‐sourced converter are magnified by a series resonance and a parallel resonance, and high‐order harmonic resonance phenomena are determined by this study. The cause of high‐order harmonic resonance phenomena is investigated and elucidated by the analysis using EMTP. In addition, it is verified that high‐order harmonic resonance phenomena occur as a practical matter. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 150(3): 26–35, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20054     

Stress management

Stress management is an important health demand in developed and rapidly developing countries. The principle of stress management consists of four strategies. That is, reduction of stressors, culture of stress tolerance, enrichment of supporting resources, and early detection of manifestations of physical and mental disorders. Accordingly, a comprehensive approach is needed for stress management. For reduction of stressors, methods of quantitatively measuring not only physico-chemical stressors, but also psycho-social stressors, have been explored. However, both the absolute level and the varying degrees of stress are valuable stress indicators. Techniques of behavioral therapy are admirable for avoiding new stress through a culture of stress tolerance. Enrichment of supporting resources is realized by two dimensions: one is man-power and the other is space and time for relaxation. For early detection of the manifestations of physical and/or mental disorders, we must pay attention to alexithymia and alexisomia in order to prevent delays in detection.     

Synthesis and properties of optically functionalized polythiophene having porphyrin side-chain

The synthesis and photochemical properties of poly[1,3-bis(dithienyl)benzene] having a porphyrin group as a side-chain were studied. As a target monomer, 1,3-bis(dithienyl)benzene with an ethynylporphyrin substituent was synthesized by Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. The electrochemical polymerization of the monomer afforded a conductive polymer film on the ITO-coated glass. The spectroelectrochemistry of the polymer was investigated to clarify the electrochemical oxidation behavior. The current density of the target polymer showed a good photoresponse and the much larger photocurrent was observed as compared with the dark current.     

Improvement of critical current density in Y---Ba---Cu---F---O compounds by addition of platinum

Platinum added Y---Ba---Cu---F---O compounds with nominal composition YBa₂Cu₃F_0.4O_xPt_y {y=0, 0.3, 0.5} were prepared by a partial melt process performed at lower temperature than the conventional melt process. Optical micrograph observations showed that Y₂BaCuO₅ (211) particles increase in density and are dispersed finely when increasing the doping of Pt up to 0.3 wt%. For the 0.5 wt% Pt sample, however, the size of the 211 particles became larger than in the samples containing less than 0.3 wt% Pt. The magnetization was measured using a SQUID magnetometer in the temperature range 20–77 K under magnetic fields B_e up to 1 T. The magnetization M also increased with increasing quantity of platinum up to 0.3 wt%. The J_c values estimated from the width of the magnetization curves were 9.8×10⁷ A/m² for the 0.3 wt% Pt sample and 5.4×107 A/m² for the undoped sample at 77 K and B_e=0.8 T. In addition, the whereabouts of the platinum in the quenched samples was investigated by using electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA).     

Thermal stability of Al0.48In0.52As/Ga0.47In0.53As/InP heterostructure and its improvement by phosphidization

A drastic decrease in the sheet carrier concentration of modulation-doped Al_0.48In_0.52As/Ga_0.47In_0.53As/InP heterostructures has been observed after O₂ plasma treatment followed by thermal treatment up to 350°C. The decrease in sheet carrier concentration, which is speculated to be caused by both plasma damage and impurities penetrating from the surface of the epilayer, can be suppressed substantially by using PH₃ plasma treatment prior to the O₂ plasma and thermal treatments.     

Bile and bilirubin excretion in relation to hepatic energy status during hemorrhagic shock and hypoxemia in rabbits

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the relation between in vivo hepatocyte excretion of bile and bilirubin and hepatic energy status in rabbit models of hemorrhagic shock and hypoxemia. DESIGN: Randomized animal study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After creation of a total biliary fistula, hemorrhagic shock with mean pressure of 50 mm Hg (10 rabbits) or hypoxemia with Pao2 at 35 mm Hg (8 rabbits) was induced for 60 minutes. We determined bile flow, excretion of bilirubin and total bile acids, the plasma level of bilirubin, and arterial ketone body ratio, which reflects hepatic mitochondrial function. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Both the hemorrhagic shock and the hypoxemic models showed decreases in bile flow and excretion of bilirubin and total bile acids as well as increase in the plasma level of bilirubin in association with decreases in the hepatic energy charge and the arterial ketone body ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Bile flow and the excretion of bilirubin were correlated with the hepatic energy status.