On-line preconcentration using dual mini-columns for the speciation of chromium(III) and chromium(VI) and its application to water samples as studied by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry

On-line preconcentration system for the selective, sensitive and simultaneous determination of chromium species was investigated. Dual minicolumns containing chelating resin were utilized for the speciation and preconcentration of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in water samples. In this system, Cr(III) was collected on first column packed with iminodiacetate resin. Cr(VI) in the effluent from the first column was reduced to Cr(III), which was collected on the second column packed with iminodiacetate resin. Hydroxyammonium chloride was examined as a potential reducing agent for Cr(VI) to Cr(III). The effects of pH, sample flow rate, column length, and interfering ions on the recoveries of Cr(III) were carefully studied. Five millilitres of a sample solution was introduced into the system. The collected species were then sequentially washed by 1 M ammonium acetate, eluted by 2 M nitric acid and measured by ICP-AES. The detection limit for Cr(III) and Cr(VI) was 0.08 and 0.15 mu g l-1, respectively. The total analysis time was about 9.4 min. The developed method was successfully applied to the speciation of chromium in river, tap water and wastewater samples with satisfied results. </p

フククウキョウカ ニ チリョウ シエタ ガイショウセイ ショウチョウ センコウ ノ 1レイ

In this paper the authors report a case of laparoscopic surgery for a blunt abdominal trauma with small bowel injury. The patient, a-24-year-old woman, was admitted to the authors’ hospital. She had abdominal pain caused by blunt abdominal trauma. Physical Examination showed muscular defense and rebound tenderness on the abdomen. A computed tomography showed focal wall thickness and pneumatosis intestinalis in the jejunum, and fluid collection in the pelvis. A preoperative diagnosis was traumatic perforation of jejunum. The authors performed laparoscopic surgery. A3-mm perforation on the jejunum was observed. The authors performed laparoscopic repair of jejunal perforation. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged 9 days after the operation. In selected cases of blunt abdominal trauma, laparoscopic surgery may be a safe and useful procedure

A Report of Four Cases of Intestinal Endometriosis

Four cases of intestinal endometriosis seen at our hospital are presented. The patients ranged in age from 35 to 43 years and developed abdominal pain, vomiting, and dyschezia due to stenotic lesions of the intestine. The sites of the lesions were the ileum in 2 cases, and the sigmoid colon and rectum in 1 case each. All cases had no history of bowel disease or laparotomy, and were not diagnosed preoperatively. These results suggested that evaluations of symptoms and clinical examinations are inadequate for an accurate diagnosis of intestinal endometriosis. The patients’ postoperative courses were uneventful, and there have been no recurrences. In conclusion, intestinal endometriosis should be considered in women of childbearing age who present with bowel obstruction, especially in women without a history of laparotomy

Simultaneous Spinal and Intracranial Chronic Subdural Hematoma Cured by Craniotomy and Laminectomy: A Video Case Report

Simultaneous spinal and intracranial chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a rare entity. A 67-year-old man visited our hospital due to headache after diving into a river 2 weeks before. Non-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed bilateral intracranial CSDH. The bilateral CSDH was evacuated and his symptoms improved. Three days after craniotomy, he complained of sensory disturbance on his buttocks. Lumbar MRI showed a space-occupying lesion behind the thecal sac at L5. CT with myelography showed a subdural mass lesion; there was no communication with the subarachnoid space. Fourteen days after craniotomy, L5 laminectomy was performed and the dura mater was incised carefully. The video shows that a liquid hematoma similar to the intracranial CSDH flowed out, followed by cerebrospinal fluid. His symptoms improved after the operation and the hematoma did not recur. This is a rare condition of spinal CSDH demonstrated by neuroimaging and intraoperative video

〈Originals〉Swallowing function in patients who underwent after subtotal glossectomy and reconstruction with a rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap

[Abstract]Purpose: Swallowing function was evaluated 3 years after surgery in three tongue cancer patients who underwent bilateral total neck dissection and subtotal glossectomy with reconstruction using a rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap. Materials and Methods: The morphology of the flap and swallowing function were evaluated. Swallowing function was assessed by video fluorography with a 10 ml test diet. The items for evaluation of swallowing were: (1) holding the test diet in the oral cavity, (2) epiglottis turnover, (3) aspiration, (4) hyoid bone movement, and (5) maximum width of the esophageal entrance. Results: With regard to flap morphology, two patients had a protuberant flap and one had a semi-protuberant flap. One patient was able to hold the test diet in the oral cavity, while slight flow of the test diet into the pharynx was observed in the other 2 patients. Epiglottis turnover was good in one patient, but was insufficient in two patients. Aspiration was not observed in any of the patients. The hyoid bone moved forward and upward in all three patients. The maximum width of the esophageal entrance was good in all patients. Conclusions: Elevation of the hyoid bone was demonstrated in all three patients, even though almost all of the bilateral suprahyoid muscles had been resected with the exception of stylohyoid. For good postoperative swallowing function and hyoid bone movement after subtotal glossectomy, it is necessary to perform reconstruction with a flap that has sufficient volume and to retain the bilateral stylohyoid muscles