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A Sakurai

Publications and source records attributed to A Sakurai.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Primary hyperparathyroidism in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1: comparison with sporadic parathyroid adenomas.

A prospective study on the natural course of primary hyperparathyroidism has recently been reported. Since hyperparathyroidism in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1) is genetically distinct from most forms of sporadic hyperparathyroidism, it is important to know the natural course of hyperparathyroidism in MEN 1 for better clinical management. For this purpose, we retrospectively reviewed clinical parameters of patients with MEN 1 when they were diagnosed as having hyperparathyroidism, and compared them with those of patients with sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism. In patients with MEN 1: 1) levels of intact PTH (i-PTH) gradually increased with age, which accelerated over 40 years; 2) compared to the steep rise in i-PTH levels in aged patients, increase in serum calcium or decrease of serum inorganic phosphate concentration was relatively mild, and 3) the high concentrations of i-PTH in aged patients were not due to renal insufficiency. These features were not observed in patients with sporadic primary parathyroid adenomas. Clinical features of untreated hyperparathyroidism in MEN 1 may be significantly affected by the age of the patient. The effect, if any, of age-dependent deterioration on recurrence rate after subtotal or total parathyroidectomy requires further elucidation.

Adenoma↗

Skeletal analysis of craniofacial deformities in brachycephaly: comparison with craniofacial deformities in plagiocephaly.

The deformities of craniofacial bones in brachycephaly (n = 2) and plagiocephaly (n = 2) were compared using three-dimensional skull replicas. In brachycephaly the bilateral deformities of the cranial base were similar to the unilateral deformities on the affected side in plagiocephaly. Shortening of the anterior-middle cranial fossas and expansion of the middle cranial fossas suggest downward and anterior displacement of both temporomandibular (TM) joints resulting in the underdevelopment of the middle-inferior facial bones, though this is less conspicuous in brachycephaly for three reasons. The most important one is that the patients have an imposing facial morphology characterised by high, protruding facial bones, as found on the affected side in plagiocephaly. Secondly, the frontal bones are flattened and positioned posteriorly in the anteroposterior direction, which also helps to mask the underdevelopment of the middle-inferior facial bones. Finally, as bony deformities are symmetrical in brachycephaly, they are not as obvious as they would be if they were unilateral.

Child↗

Optimized 3-D CT scan protocol for longitudinal morphological estimation in craniofacial surgery.

Frequent three-dimensional computed tomography scanning may cause deterioration of the lenses of the eye, which are susceptible to x-rays. The authors performed an experimental study using a phantom head to establish an optimized three-dimensional computed tomography scan protocol for longitudinal morphological estimation in craniofacial surgery. Volume computed tomography scans were performed using a Hi-Speed Advantage SG CT scanner (GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, WI) in the axial plane with a combination of scan parameters of varied values. The radiation doses induced by each scanning were measured using thermoluminescent dosimeter chips attached to the position of the lenses in the phantom. Two-dimensional images in the coronal plane and three-dimensional images of the osseous surface were generated from each accumulated data set. For each scan parameter, the images generated from data accumulated using different values were compared. The study showed that lens radiation dose increased with tube potential and was almost directly proportional to tube current and 1/pitch. The slice thickness did not affect lens radiation doses significantly. Images with good contrast resolution and low artifact level sufficient for estimating morphological changes were obtained using a low tube potential of 100 kVp and a tube current of 100 mA. In regard to z-axis spatial resolution, a slice thickness of less than 3 mm was required for precisely pointing out bony edges in the two-dimensional reformation images. These results led us to conclude that volume computed tomography for longitudinal examination in craniofacial surgery should be kept to a minimum frequency and performed using a low-dose technique, small slice thickness, and large pitch.

Artifacts↗

Cyclophilin A-independent replication of a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 isolate carrying a small portion of the simian immunodeficiency virus SIV(MAC) gag capsid region.

Hybrid viruses between human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and simian immunodeficiency virus strain mac (SIV(MAC)) are invaluable to various fields of HIV-1 research. To date, however, no replication-competent HIV-1 strain containing the gag capsid (CA) region of SIV(MAC) has been reported. To obtain the viable gag gene chimeric virus in an HIV-1 background, seven HIV-1 strains carrying a part of SIV(MAC) CA or a small deletion in the CA region were constructed and examined for their biological and biochemical characteristics. While all the recombinants and mutants were found to express Gag and to produce progeny virions on transfection, only one chimeric virus, which has 18 bp of SIV gag CA sequence in place of the region encoding the HIV-1 CA cyclophilin A (CyPA)-binding loop, was infectious for human cell lines. Although this chimeric virus was unable to grow in monkey lymphocytic cells like wild-type (wt) HIV-1 did, it grew much better than wt virus in the presence of cyclosporin A in a human cell line which supports HIV-1 replication in a CyPA-dependent manner. These results indicate that the transfer of a small portion of the SIV(MAC) CA region to HIV-1 could confer the CyPA-independent replication potential of SIV(MAC) on the virus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A fast and convergent stochastic MLP learning algorithm.

We propose a stochastic learning algorithm for multilayer perceptrons of linear-threshold function units, which theoretically converges with probability one and experimentally exhibits 100% convergence rate and remarkable speed on parity and classification problems with typical generalization accuracy. For learning the n bit parity function with n hidden units, the algorithm converged on all the trials we tested (n=2 to 12) after 5.8 x 4.1(n) presentations for 0.23 x 4.0(n-6) seconds on a 533MHz Alpha 21164A chip on average, which is five to ten times faster than Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm with restarts. For a medium size classification problem known as Thyroid in UCI repository, the algorithm is faster in speed and comparative in generalization accuracy than the standard backpropagation and Levenberg-Marquardt algorithms.

Algorithms↗

Effects of selenium deficiency on expression of selenoproteins in bovine arterial endothelial cells.

Damage to the vascular endothelium by reactive oxygen species causes many cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis. Such damage can be prevented by selenium (Se), which is thought to exert its actions mainly through the expression of selenoproteins. Se deficiency increased the susceptibility to tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BuOOH) and enhanced lipid peroxidation in bovine arterial endothelial cells (BAEC). We investigated the effects of Se deficiency on the expression of the selenoproteins in BAEC. 75Se metabolic labeling analysis and RT-PCR analysis revealed that BAEC expressed two glutathione peroxidase (GPx) isozymes, cytosolic GPx (cGPx) and phospholipid hydroperoxide GPx (PHGPx), three thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) isozymes, TrxR1, TrxR2 and TrxR3, and selenoprotein P (SelP). Se deficiency reduced both enzyme activity and mRNA level of cGPx, but did not affect those of PHGPx. SelP mRNA level was also reduced by Se deficiency, although the extent of reduction was much smaller than that of cGPx mRNA. We further found that TrxR activity was also decreased by Se deficiency but none of the mRNA levels of TrxR isozymes were reduced. These results indicate that vascular endothelial cells express several selenoproteins including cGPx, PHGPx, TrxR isozymes and SelP which might play important roles in the defense system against oxidative stresses and that the expressions of these selenoproteins are differently regulated by Se status.

Animals↗

A case of familial isolated hyperparathyroidism with ectopic parathyroid cancer.

We report the kindred with familial isolated hyperparathyroidism with parathyroid cancer. The proband was diagnosed as having primary hyperparathyroidism at age 43. The same disorder was also found in his daughter who had low bone mass. His son was found to have primary hyperparathyroidism by family screening. The pathological diagnosis of the resected parathyroid in both father and daughter was parathyroid cancer, and that in son was parathyroid adenoma. The right lower gland of the proband and the left lower gland of the son were present in thymus. No mutations were found in the sequences of MEN1 gene, hence gene(s) other than MEN1 gene may have contributed to the malignant potency in our cases.

Adenoma↗

Insulin and somatostatin releasing islet cell tumor caused hypoglycemia.

We report a hypoglycemic case with normal insulin levels, which was caused by an islet cell tumor that was releasing insulin and somatostatin. A fasting test suggested the over secretion of insulin. Moreover, this hypoglycemia was enhanced by the inhibitory effect of somatostatin on the secretion of insulin counter-regulatory hormones, such as glucagon, in addition to the autonomous secretion of insulin from the tumor. In cases of hypoglycemia with apparently normal insulin levels, the measurement of somatostatin and various provocative tests are recommended. Arterial stimulation venous sampling (ASVS) was useful to detect the location of this functioning islet cell tumor.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗

Duodenal somatostatinoma and erythrocytosis in a patient with von Hippel-Lindau disease type 2A.

A female with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease type 2A first presented with erythrocytosis at the age of 9 years. This patient revealed multiple paragangliomas at age 22. After the removal of tumors, a retinal hemangioblastoma developed. Our diagnosis of VHL disease type 2A was confirmed. Moreover, systemic examination showed a duodenal somatostatinoma. Frequent and long-term monitoring is important for patients with pheochromocytomas or paragangliomas, and a screening for VHL disease and other hereditary cancer syndromes is recommended. Recognition of neuroendocrine tumors as a manifestation of VHL disease permits earlier diagnosis and improves prognosis.

Adult↗

Reduction of mental stress with lavender odorant.

The effect of the lavender odorant on a Japanese version of Cox and Mackay's stress/arousal adjective checklist for three groups was studied. One group of 14 was placed into a (2 x 2- x 3 m) sound protected room for 20 min without the presentation of an odor, an analogous group of 15 received the odor oil, and one group of 13 received a nonstressful condition. Analysis suggested that lavender odorants were associated with reduced mental stress and increased arousal rate.

Adult↗

Growth characteristics of SHIV without the vpu gene.

NM-3 is a prototype of chimeric virus between simian and human immunodeficiency viruses (SHIV). It grows in monkey lymphocytic cells in vitro and in vivo as well as in human cells. A mutant designated NM3-E65, which lacks expression of the entire vpu gene, was constructed from NM-3, and monitored for its replication property. Examination of growth properties in simian and human cells of SHIV, HIV, and their vpu mutants revealed that the vpu gene in the genome of the chimeric virus is functional, but non-essential for virus replication.

Animals↗

[Evaluation of efficiency of ACD-CPR and STD-CPR; a multi-institutional study].

We compared the efficacy of ACD-CPR and STD-CPR based on 64 multi-institutional reports. No significant differences were observed in the rate of restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and in cardiopulmonary parameters during CPR using the two methods. There were 5 cases in which cardiopulmonary parameters improved after switching from STD-CPR to ACD-CPR and, eventually, in two of them spontaneous circulation was restored. In the ROSC cases of both groups, ETCO2 and values of SpO2, PaO2, and systolic BP at 30 minutes were higher than those of non-ROSC cases. ETCO2 never exceeded 20 mmHg in the non-ROSC cases, but it was higher in the ROSC cases. ACD-CPR is a good choice when trained persons are present or when extra hands are available to continue the CPR.

Adolescent↗

[SHORT syndrome].

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Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Expression of multidrug resistance protein and messenger RNA correlate with (99m)Tc-MIBI imaging in patients with lung cancer.

UNLABELLED: In vitro studies have shown that (99m)Tc-sestamibi (MIBI) is a transport substrate for the P-glycoprotein (Pgp) pump and the multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) pump. However, whether MRP and lung resistance protein (LRP) affect tumor accumulation and efflux of (99m)Tc-MIBI in lung cancer is not known. In this study, we explored whether Pgp and the other pumps, MRP and LRP, affect tumor accumulation and efflux of (99m)Tc-MIBI in lung cancer. METHODS: Thirty-four lung cancer patients who underwent surgery were examined. Before surgery, (99m)Tc-MIBI SPECT was performed 15 min and 180 min after injection, and early uptake, delayed uptake (L/Nd), and washout rate (L/Nwr) of (99m)Tc-MIBI were obtained. Pgp, MRP, and LRP expression were investigated by immunohistochemistry. The messenger RNA (mRNA) level of Pgp, MRP, and LRP was determined by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. The lung cancer (99m)Tc-MIBI images were correlated with protein and mRNA expression. RESULTS: The mean L/Nd of the Pgp (-) group was significantly higher than that of the Pgp (++) group (P = 0.0324). The Pgp (++) group had a higher L/Nwr than did the Pgp (-) group (P = 0.0269). The mean L/Nd of the Pgp mRNA low-expression group was significantly higher than that of the Pgp mRNA high-expression group (P = 0.0127). The Pgp mRNA high-expression group had a higher L/Nwr than did the Pgp mRNA low-expression group (P = 0.0825). No appreciable correlation was found between the lung cancer (99m)Tc-MIBI images and the expression of MRP or LRP on the level of protein or mRNA. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that an increased level of Pgp expression correlates with a low accumulation on delayed scans and a high L/Nwr of (99m)Tc-MIBI in lung cancer. Neither MRP nor LRP expression on the level of either protein or mRNA correlated significantly with tumor accumulation or efflux of (99m)Tc-MIBI in lung cancer.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

The involvement of the neuronal Golgi apparatus and trans-Golgi network in the human olivary hypertrophy.

We studied the Golgi apparatus (GA) and trans-Golgi network (TGN) in the human olivary hypertrophy by immunohistological methods with organelle specific antibodies against the medial cisternae of the organelle (MG160) and the trans-Golgi network (TGN46). The GA and TGN of enlarged neurons in the inferior olivary nuclei in the early stages after central tract lesions lost the normal network-like configuration, and they were reduced to numerous small disconnected granules (fragmentation). In chronic stages after lesions, the GA and TGN of vacuolated or enlarged neurons showed a variety of morphological profiles, such as normal-looking patterns, fragmentation, reduction in number, and aggregation around nuclei or at a distance in the cytoplasm. In patients with multiple system atrophy, the GA and TGN of the neurons in the inferior olivary nuclei showed almost similar findings to those seen in the chronic stages after brainstem lesions. These results suggest that the GA and TGN are affected in degenerating neurons by anterograde transneuronal mechanisms.

Aged↗