We report here a case of torsion of the gallbladder in a 73-year-old woman. The patient was admitted to our hospital with right hypochondralgia. Ultrasonography and computed tomography demonstrated a distended gallbladder, with a multilayered wall, which contained no stones. Since the symptoms did not respond to antibiotics, laparotomy was performed. The gallbladder was found to be twisted around its pedicle and to be gangrenous. Cholecystectomy was performed, and the patient had an uneventful postoperative course. We also reviewed 245 cases reported in the Japanese literature. The clinical features of gallbladder torsion, which include low frequency of fever and jaundice, poor response to antibiotic therapy, and acute onset of abdominal pain, may be helpful in the differential diagnosis from acute cholecystitis. Moreover, a highly suggestive sign of gallbladder torsion observed by ultrasonography or computed tomography is a markedly enlarged "floating" gallbladder with a continuous hypoechoic line indicating edematous change in the wall.

The effect of the viscosity of room temperature molten salt (RTMS) electrolyte has been investigated on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Both the short circuit photocurrent and conversion efficiency are increased with decreasing the viscosity of RTMS as in the case of conventional electrolytes. The conversion efficiency of 2.1% observed for the cell of EMIm-F·2.3HF is the highest value reported for all the DSSC consisted of RTMS.

In the present report we have studied the interactions of water with organic molecules possessing a functional group of an ether or a carbonyl group in solution in a hydrophobic medium or n-heptane at various concentrations. The infrared spectrum of the water in the water-organic molecule complex, which was clearly separated by a skillful subtraction method, drastically changed depending on the concentration of the solution. Analysis of the infrared spectrum has made clear the following. Water is hydrogen-bonded, by one OH only, to a functional group, with the other OH free, to form a one-bonded complex, when a functional group is isolated from the other in the hydrophobic medium. On the other hand, each OH of a water molecule is hydrogen-bonded to a functional group to form a two-bonded complex, when two or more of the group are within the interactive vicinity via water. The hydrogen-bonding structure of the complex was supported by the normal frequencies calculated by the ab initio quantum mechanical method. The present study has demonstrated that the hydrophobic isolation method combined with infrared spectroscopy (HIIR) is useful to study basic interactions of water with organic molecules under soft conditions.

This study confirmed that RFA is a low-risk treatment for HCC and that sufficient experience and technical skill can reduce complications.