Yoshito Kamijo

Myelin basic protein in cerebrospinal fluid: a predictive marker of delayed encephalopathy from carbon monoxide poisoning

This study was designed to investigate whether myelin basic protein (MBP) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can be a predictive marker of delayed encephalopathy from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Five patients with CO poisoning were included in the study. The CSF was serially sampled to determine the MBP concentration. All patients were classified into group DE or group non-DE according to whether delayed encephalopathy developed or not. In all 3 patients in group DE, the MBP levels in the CSF were markedly elevated preceding the clinical manifestations of delayed encephalopathy. In both group non-DE patients, the MBP concentrations in the CSF were never elevated. Elevated MBP concentrations in the CSF may represent a predictive marker of delayed encephalopathy from CO poisoning, leading to a more appropriate triage of patients with CO poisoning.

Miniprobe ultrasonography for determining prognosis in corrosive esophagitis

OBJECTIVE:We evaluated the ability of endoscopic ultrasonography to predict likelihood of stricture formation in patients with corrosive esophagitis.METHODS:Consecutive patients with esophagitis resulting from alkaline or acid chemical ingestion (n = 11) were evaluated prospectively by endoscopic ultrasonography between hospital days 4 and 12. Findings for the most severe lesion were classified according to the appearance of the muscular layers: distinct muscular layers without thickening (grade 0); distinct muscular layers with thickening (grade I); obscured muscular layers with indistinct margins (grade II); and muscular layers that could not be differentiated (grade III). Findings were also classified according to whether apparent damage to muscular layers in the worst-appearing image involved part of the circumference (type a) or the whole circumference (type b). Implications of these findings for subsequent stricture formation were then evaluated.RESULTS:Stricture formation did not occur in patients with grade 0 or grade I images; transient stricture formation occurred in a patient showing grade IIa. Stricture requiring repeated bougie dilation occurred in a patient showing grade IIIb.CONCLUSIONS:Endoscopic ultrasonographic images presumed to reflect the destruction of muscular layers (grades II to III), as opposed to only edema (grade I), may be associated with stricture formation. This modality can accurately visualize deep lesions in corrosive esophagitis, making it prognostically useful.

Assertive case management versus enhanced usual care for people with mental health problems who had attempted suicide and were admitted to hospital emergency departments in Japan (ACTION-J): a multicentre, randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND Non-fatal suicide attempt is the most important risk factor for later suicide. Emergency department visits for attempted suicide are increasingly recognised as opportunities for intervention. However, no strong evidence exists that any intervention is effective at preventing repeated suicide attempts. We aimed to investigate whether assertive case management can reduce repetition of suicide attempts in people with mental health problems who had attempted suicide and were admitted to emergency departments. METHODS In this multicentre, randomised controlled trial in 17 hospital emergency departments in Japan, we randomly assigned people aged 20 years and older with mental health problems who had attempted suicide to receive either assertive case management (based on psychiatric diagnoses, social risks, and needs of the patients) or enhanced usual care (control), using an internet-based randomisation system. Interventions were provided until the end of the follow-up period (ie, at least 18 months and up to 5 years). Outcome assessors were masked to group allocation, but patients and case managers who provided the interventions were not. The primary outcome was the incidence of first recurrent suicidal behaviour (attempted suicide or completed suicide); secondary outcomes included completed suicide and all-cause mortality. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00736918) and UMIN-CTR (C000000444). FINDINGS Between July 1, 2006, and Dec 31, 2009, 914 eligible participants were randomly assigned, 460 to the assertive case management group and 456 to the enhanced usual care group. We noted no significant difference in incidence of first recurrent suicidal behaviour between the assertive case management group and the enhanced usual care group over the full study period (log-rank p=0·258). Because the proportional hazards assumption did not hold, we did ad-hoc analyses for cumulative incidence of the primary outcome at months 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 after randomisation, adjusting for multiplicity with the Bonferroni method. Assertive case management significantly reduced the incidence of first recurrent suicidal behaviour up to the 6-month timepoint (6-month risk ratio 0·50, 95% CI 0·32-0·80; p=0·003), but not at the later timepoints. Prespecified subgroup analyses showed that the intervention had a greater effect in women (up to 18 months), and in participants younger than 40 years and those with a history of previous suicide attempts (up to 6 months). We did not identify any differences between the intervention and control groups for completed suicide (27 [6%] of 460 vs 30 [7%] of 454, log-rank p=0·660) or all-cause mortality (46 [10%] of 460 vs 42 [9%] of 454, log-rank p=0·698). INTERPRETATION Our results suggest that assertive case management is feasible in real-world clinical settings. Although it was not effective at reducing the incidence of repetition of suicide attempts in the long term, the results of our ad-hoc analyses suggested that it was effective for up to 6 months. This finding should be investigated in future research. FUNDING The Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare of Japan.

Massive Noninflammatory Periportal Liver Necrosis Following Concentrated Acetic Acid Ingestion

In a fatal occurrence of massive liver necrosis following ingestion of concentrated (90%) acetic acid, the patient showed evidence of hemolysis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and liver dysfunction at only 45 minutes after exposure. With refractory to vigorous supportive care, the patient s condition deteriorated until death occurred 39 hours after ingestion, despite some improvement of coagulopathy. Autopsy revealed corrosive injuries in the upper gastrointestinal tract and massive hepatic necrosis in a periportal distribution without significant inflammation. A direct effect of the noxious agent on hepatocytes involving the portal circulation is suggested.

Elevated S100B level in cerebrospinal fluid could predict poor outcome of carbon monoxide poisoning

OBJECTIVE S100B is a calcium-binding protein produced by astroglia in the brain and has been used as a marker of neuronal damage after brain trauma. We investigated the utility of S100B in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) measured during the early phase of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in predicting the subsequent clinical course. METHODS The study included 31 patients who were admitted to the hospital with loss of consciousness following CO poisoning. S100B levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in CSF, and serum samples collected simultaneously within 24 hours and on the fourth day after CO exposure. All patients were followed for at least 3 months and divided into 3 groups based on the clinical course: persistent vegetative state (PVS), delayed encephalopathy (DE), and complete recovery with no complications (NC). RESULTS During the 3-month period, 3 patients developed PVS, 5 developed DE, and 23 were classified as NC. The mean S100B levels in the CSF within 24 hours after CO exposure were higher in the PVS group (9.25 ng/mL) than in the DE (2.03 ng/mL) and NC groups (1.86 ng/mL). However, the mean serum S100B levels were not elevated in the 3 groups (0.21, 0.59, and 0.16 ng/mL, respectively). CONCLUSION Early elevation of S100B in CSF after CO poisoning could be a suitable predictor of subsequent development of PVS.

Effect of neutral endopeptidase inhibitor on bradykinin-induced bronchoconstriction

To evaluate whether neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitors have adverse respiratory effects, the influence of a NEP inhibitor on bradykinin (BK)-induced bronchoconstriction was investigated. In anesthetized and artificially ventilated guinea pigs, changes in airway opening pressure (Pao) were measured as an index of bronchoconstriction. An infusion of phosphoramidon (3 mg kg(-1) h(-1)), a NEP inhibitor, significantly enhanced the bronchoconstriction induced by high-dose BK (30 nmol kg(-1), i.v.). Capsaicin (0.1 mg kg(-1), i.v.) and SR48968 (0.3 mg kg(-1), i.v.), an NK2 receptor antagonist, significantly inhibited the phosphoramidon-induced enhancement of BK-induced bronchoconstriction, although FK888 (3 mg kg(-1), i.v.), an NK1 receptor antagonist, did not. Both neurokinin A (NKA) (0.1-3 nmol kg(-1), i.v.) and substance P (SP) (0.1-3 nmol kg(-1), i.v.) induced dose-dependent bronchoconstriction which was enhanced by phosphoramidon infusion, although these enhancements were more prominent in the NKA series. Phosphoramidon partially inhibited BK degradation in lung homogenate, and both NKA and SP degradation in the lung homogenate were significantly suppressed by phosphoramidon. In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), levels of NKA and SP were significantly elevated after a bolus of BK with a phosphoramidon infusion. These results suggest that NEP inhibitors may have adverse respiratory effects resulting from inhibition of the degradation of neurokinins, but mainly of NKA, when a large amount of BK is generated.

Food poisoning associated with Kudoa septempunctata.

BACKGROUND Kudoa septempunctata is a recently identified cause of food poisoning. We report three cases of food poisoning due to ingestion of this parasite. CASE REPORTS Among the 358 people exposed during the same catered meal, 94 (including our 3 patients) developed vomiting and diarrhea within 1-9 h after ingestion of raw muscle from contaminated aquacultured olive flounders (Paralichthys olivaceus). These symptoms occurred frequently but were temporary; only 1 patient was hospitalized for dehydration and was discharged 2 days later. CONCLUSION In Japan, cases of food poisoning due to eating olive flounder have increased during recent years. This increase should prompt heightened awareness among clinicians diagnosing food poisoning.

The early elevation of interleukin 6 concentration in cerebrospinal fluid and delayed encephalopathy of carbon monoxide poisoning

OBJECTIVE This study was designed to investigate whether interleukin 6 (IL-6) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the early phase of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can be a predictive marker of delayed encephalopathy (DE). METHODS Nine patients with CO poisoning were included in the study. Cerebrospinal fluid was sampled within 24 hours of the last exposure to CO, on hospital day 4, and once a week for at least 1 month to determine IL-6 and myelin basic protein concentrations. All patients were followed at least 3 months. RESULTS Three patients demonstrated significant early IL-6 elevation in CSF, normal IL-6 level in CSF on day 4, and significant delayed myelin basic protein elevation in CSF. The 2 patients with the highest early IL-6 elevation in CSF developed DE. Interleukin 6 in serum was not related to DE. CONCLUSION Interleukin 6 in CSF at the early phase of CO poisoning may be a predictive marker of DE.

Cardiovascular response and stress reaction to flumazenil injection in patients under infusion with midazolam.

Objectives: To evaluate the cardiovascular response and acute stress reaction after arousal induced by a benzodiazepine antagonist, flumazenil, in patients sedated with midazolam. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Emergency center in a university hospital. Patients: A total of 12 patients were ventilated mechanically under sedation with midazolam. Interventions: We monitored the consciousness level, heart rate, systemic blood pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, and pulmonary artery occlusion pressure before and after a bolus injection of 0.5 mg of flumazenil. The score for the consciousness level represents the sum of the scores for eye opening and best motor response, as determined by the Glasgow Coma Scale. We measured the cardiac output, concentrations of norepinephrine, epinephrine, and 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol in plasma, and concentration of cortisol in serum. We calculated the left ventricular ejection fraction, cardiac index, systemic vascular resistance index, pressure‐rate product, systemic oxygen delivery, and systemic oxygen consumption at 0, 10, 30, and 60 mins after injection of flumazenil. Measurements and Main Results: The serum benzodiazepines receptor binding activity in serum was in the range from 50 to 1000 ng/mL before injection of flumazenil. Flumazenil improved the consciousness level from 6.7 ± 2.0 to 8.9 ± 1.6 and induced transient elevations in heart rate, blood pressure, systolic pulmonary artery pressure, and pulmonary artery occlusion pressure. Left ventricular ejection fraction, oxygen delivery index, and pressure‐rate product increased significantly, from 61% ± 8%, 640 ± 170 mL/min/m2, and 13,300 ± 2600 mm Hg/min at 0 mins to 67% ± 5%, 710 ± 220 mL/min/m2, and 16,500 ± 4400 mm Hg/min at 10 mins, respectively. Concentrations of norepinephrine and epinephrine in plasma increased significantly, from 890 ± 840 pg/mL and 220 ± 360 pg/mL, respectively, at 0 mins to 990 ± 850 pg/mL and 270 ± 300 pg/mL, respectively, at 10 mins. There were no significant changes in the plasma concentration of 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol, the serum concentration of cortisol after the administration of flumazenil. Conclusions: Flumazenil did not result in a significant acute stress reaction in midazolam‐sedated patients, but it increased myocardial oxygen consumption by enhancing sympathetic nervous activity or antagonizing cardiovascular depression induced by midazolam.

Pulse steroid therapy in adult respiratory distress syndrome following petroleum naphtha ingestion.

Case Report: A suicide attempt by a 23-year-old woman involved ingestion of 1000 mL of petroleum naphtha. Early chemical pneumonitis was complicated by life-threatening, diffuse interstitial lung consolidation with pneumatoceles. Pulse steroid therapy beginning on day 17 was associated with remarkable resolution of interstitial consolidation, although an enlarging secondarily infected pneumatocele ruptured to produce a bronchopleural fistula. Thoracic surgery and antibiotic therapy resulted in improvement of the patients respiratory condition, and she was discharged with no residual respiratory symptoms. High-dose corticosteroid therapy appears to be a useful addition to aggressive supportive treatment in late adult respiratory distress syndrome following hydrocarbon ingestion.