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Biomedical subjects

A Abe

Publications and source records attributed to A Abe.

286 records · Page 16Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Sonographic patterns of radiolucent gall-bladder stones for predicting successful shock-wave lithotripsy.

The aim of this study was to examine whether the sonographic patterns of gallstones are useful for predicting the outcome of piezoelectric shock-wave lithotripsy. Pretreatment analysis of gallstones based on our sonographic classification was conducted on 115 patients with radiolucent solitary stones of 10-30 mm in diameter, monitored for at least a year after the first lithotripsy. All stones were categorized as type I with gradual attenuation of echoes: type Ia, the stone echo appears as a full moon, usually accompanied by comet-tail artifacts beyond the stone itself (n = 55); type Ib, the stone echo showing the anterior half of the stone, seen as a half moon (n = 29); and type Ic, the stone echo seen as a crescent (n = 31). The most complete fragmentation, 'pulverization', was achieved at a significantly higher rate for type Ia (51%) than for type Ib (14%, P < 0.005) and type Ic (7%, P < 0.0001) after significantly fewer shock-waves (vs type Ib, P < 0.01; vs type Ic, P < 0.0001). The rate of complete clearance at 12 months after lithotripsy was significantly greater for type Ia (91%) than for type Ib (62%, P < 0.01) and type Ic (45%, P < 0.0001). Comparison of the sonographic and computed tomography (CT) patterns of stones revealed a close relationship between the two: the vast majority (98%) of type Ia showed the iso- or hypo-dense, and the majority (90%) of type Ic the rimmed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cholelithiasis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical evaluation of serum and immunohistochemical expression of SCC and CA19-9 in radiation therapy for cervical cancer.

The prognostic significance of serum level of SCC and CA19-9 (i.e. sr-SCC and sr-CA19-9) and tumor expression of SCC and CA19-9 (i.e. im-SCC and im-CA19-9) were investigated in patients undergoing radiation therapy for cervical cancer. A total of 103 patients comprising 95 squamous cell carcinomas, 3 adenosquamous cell carcinomas and 5 adenocarcinomas, were studied. The tumor expression of SCC and CA19-9 were determined immunohistochemically. The positivity of the patients with abnormal sr-SCC levels for squamous cell carcinoma, adenosquamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma were 87.7%, 50.0% and 40.0%, respectively The 5-year-survival rates of sr-SCC positive and negative patients were 71.1% and 100%, respectively (P > 0.1). The survival rates of im-SCC positive and negative patients were 70.0% and 80.7%, respectively (P > 0.1). The positivity of patients with im-CA19-9 in squamous cell carcinoma, adenosquamous cell carcinoma, im-CA19-9 adenocarcinoma were 29.1%, 66.6%, and 100%, respectively. The 5-year-survival rates of sr-CA19-9 positive patients was 62.5%, poorer than the 77.6% of negative ones (P < 0.1). The survival rate of im-CA19-9 expression positive patients was 92.0%, significantly better than the 70.7% in negative patients (P < 0.05). Although the sr-SCC level just at the end of radiation therapy was not correlated with local control, re-elevation of the SCC was highly associated with early relapse. These results suggested that follow-up of patients by periodical serum examination for these tumor markers is highly useful for the early detection of tumor relapse.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The phase I/II clinical study of carbon ion therapy for cancer of the uterine cervix.

PURPOSE: The phase I/II clinical study of carbon beam therapy was undertaken for 31 cases of advanced cervical cancer of stages IIIB and IVA from June 1995 to November 1997. The main purpose was to determine clinically useful fraction doses without severe acute reaction of normal tissues and to assess tumor control dose levels achievable without significant normal tissue toxicity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The treatment was given with four fixed fractions per week (24 fractions over 6 weeks) and was initiated with a fraction dose of 2.2 Gray equivalent (GyE), and the dose was increased as 2.4 GyE, 2.6 GyE, 2.8 GyE, and 3.0 GyE. Consequently, the total dose initiated was 52.8 GyE, to increase up to 72.0 GyE in 4.8-GyE increments in the dose-escalation fashion. Thirty patients with eligible advanced cervical cancers consisting of 27 squamous cell carcinomas and three adenocarcinomas were analyzed. RESULTS: Acute response of normal tissues was less than with photon treatment until fraction doses of 2.8 GyE were administered, and patients finished treatment with comfortable conditions. Severe late complications occurred in the two patients who received more than 67.2 GyE. The 2-year cumulative survival rate and the local control rate of 27 patients with squamous cell carcinoma were 61.5% and 59.3%, respectively. According to stages, the 2-year survival rates of stage IIIB and IVA patients were 54.4% and 75.0%, respectively. The 2-year local control rates of stage IIIB and IVA patients were 52.6% and 75.0%, respectively. DISCUSSION: These results indicated that the disease control seems to be relatively better for very advanced disease and with dose escalation treatment. Local control was not significantly correlated with total dose and tumor volume. The results of the present study, despite small numbers and short observation, suggest that an adequate fraction dose for pelvis fields is 2.8 to 3.0 GyE and that the carbon beam therapy might be advantageous for advanced cervical cancer.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Articular tissues expressing the env-pX transgene are required for generation of arthritogenic T cells in human T cell leukemia virus type I transgenic rats.

OBJECTIVE: Human T cell leukemia virus type I env-pX transgenic rats (env-pX rats) were used to investigate the pathogenesis of arthritis. METHODS: Phenotype of cells infiltrated into arthritic joints in env-pX rats was analyzed using flow cytometry and cell-transfer experiments were done using env-pX and wild-type WKAH rats. RESULTS: The majority of T cells infiltrated into arthritic joints in env-pX rats exhibited a CD4 and activated phenotype. Transfer of these T cells into articular space in wild-type WKAH rats succeeded to induce arthritis similarly seen in env-pX rats. However, injection of the cells into sites other than joints did not induce inflammation. Transfer of in vitro-stimulated lymph node cells from disease-free env-pX rats into articular space did not induce arthritis in wild-type WKAH rats. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that articular tissues carrying the env-pX transgene are required for generation of arthritogenic T cells in env-pX rats. However, the constitutive antigens other than the transgene products are recognized as immunological targets by the arthritogenic T cells in the advanced arthritic joints. Molecules expressed specifically in articular tissues may be needed to maintain the inflammatory cell infiltration.

Adoptive Transfer↗