Spontaneous Regression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus

An 83-year-old man underwent transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for a 20-mm hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Couinaud’s segment 4. Computed tomography (CT) 4 months after TACE showed tumor thrombus in the portal vein in addition to diffuse metastases and arterioportal shunts in the left lobe. Although we performed the best supportive care, the tumor thrombus in the portal vein and tumors in the left lobe had completely disappeared on CT 16 months after the TACE. Rapidly grown portal vein tumor thrombus and arterioportal shunt might be the causes of spontaneous regression of HCC, probably associated with tumor hypoxia

ULF waves and magnetic field characteristics in the polar cusp observed at Godhavn

For the intrusion of the solar wind energy into the magnetosphere the polar cusp has been believed to be the most important region in the magnetosphere. By using magnetometer data obtained in November 1989 at Godhavn (Inv. Lat.=76°) in Greenland located in the polar cusp the dayside enhancement of ULF wave activity is studied in relation to both variations of the ground magnetic field and the interplanetary magnetic field. The important results are as follows; 1) Godhavn is found to be one of the appropriate stations for studying magnetic field variations and ULF waves in the polar cusp, i. e., the normal-run magnetograms show negative H component excursion during the daytime, sometimes sporadically and in the other times gradually. The ULF waves enhance their activity closely associated with these negative field variations. These field variations might be considered to occur when the station passes under the westward current flowing in the cusp ionosphere. 2) By comparing the ground magnetic activities with the interplanetary magnetic field the ground magnetic activities occur in association with high frequency fluctuations of the IMF. 3) A comparison of spectral power of the ULF waves at Godhavn (cusp latitude) with those at Syowa (auroral latitude) shows more enhanced magnetic power and more resonance-like oscillation of ULF waves at the auroral latitude. Thus, the cusp might be a source region of magnetic energy penetrating into the magnetosphere, and resonant oscillations of ULF waves are clearly observed at the auroral latitude

Factors associated with follow-up difficulty in longitudinal studies involving community-dwelling older adults.

This study aims to clarify the factors associated with the gradual withdrawal from society in older adults. We defined the stages of follow-up difficulty based on four follow-up surveys on non-respondents of longitudinal mail surveys in community-dwelling older adults to examine the main factors associated with the stages of follow-up difficulty. We conducted a follow-up mail survey (FL1) with respondents of a baseline survey, and three more follow-up surveys with the non-respondents of each previous survey: simplified mail (FL2), postcard (FL3), and home visit surveys (FL4). The respondents of each follow-up survey were defined as a stage of follow-up difficulty; their characteristics concerning social participation and interaction at baseline in each stage were analyzed. The number of respondents in the FL1, FL2, FL3, and FL4 stages and non-respondents (NR) were as follows: 2,361; 462; 234; 84; and 101, respectively. Participation in hobby groups in FL2 and FL3, sports groups in FL4, and neighborhood association and social isolation in NR were significantly associated with the stage of follow-up difficulty. Based on these results, we conclude that the following factors are associated with each stage of follow-up difficulty: 1) a decline in instrumental activities of daily living in the FL2 and FL3 stages, 2) dislike for participating in physical activity such as sports in the FL4 stage, and 3) social isolation, not even belonging to a neighborhood association due to low social interaction in the NR group

A convection enhancement event observed with the Polar Patrol Balloon #4

A convection enhancement event was observed with the Polar Patrol Balloon #4 which was launched at Syowa Station on December 26,1992. This event occurred during 1700-1900 UT on December 28,1992,when the balloon located in the afternoon sector of the sub-auroral zone. During this period, the amplitude of the southward electric field (E_S) increased from about 20mV/m to 50mV/m and then decreased to 20mV/m again. The northward component of the magnetic field variation (B_H) also increased from 200nT to 600nT, and then decreased to about 100nT. The maximum time of E_S lagged about 12 min after the B_H maximum time (t_). We could estimate the height integrated ionospheric electric conductivity from these horizontal electric field and magnetic field data. Before t_ Hall conductivity (σ_H) was about two times greater than Pedersen conductivity (σ_P), and after t_ σ_H decreased monotonously to become smaller than σ_P, while σ_P maintained a nearly constant value. Around t_ both σ_H and σ_P were enhanced by about 1.5 times in about 10min, and energetic particle precipitation was observed with the on-board X-ray counter. We could summarize this event as follows : there was stable enough particle precipitation to maintain σ_H before t_ : As E_S increased, the ionospheric Hall current increased, and B_H increased. Around t_ a large quantity of particles precipitated above the balloon, ionospheric conductivities and Hall current reached a maximum value, and thus the B_H reached a maximum value. After t_ σ_H and B_H decreased because the energy spectrum of the precipitation became softer, while E_S continued to increase. E_S reached a maximum value about 12min after t_. From the ground-based data in the southern and northern hemispheres and also satellite IMF data, it was concluded that this event was not an isolated disturbace confined just around the balloon location, but was a global feature of the ionospheric convection variation corresponding to the IMF fluctuation

Autoimmune hepatitis complicated by adult‐onset Still's disease during treatment with tocilizumab: A case report from acute onset to recurrence

Key Clinical Message The characteristics of liver dysfunction due to adult‐onset Still's disease are not specific. Differentiating from autoimmune hepatitis is important in deciding whether to continue corticosteroid therapy, and also in terms of management of cirrhosis and surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver biopsy is thought to be the most important determinant for differential diagnosis