Biomedical subjects

A Watanabe

Publications and source records attributed to A Watanabe.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Developmental changes in the protein and mRNA content of a p115/transcytosis-associated protein in the bovine mammary gland.

We measured the amounts of a vesicular transport factor, p115/transcytosis-associated protein (p115/TAP) and its mRNA, in mammary glands from cows in which lactation was induced hormonally. The highest level of p115/TAP mRNA, determined by Northern blotting, was detected in the developing stage. In contrast to the mRNA level, the amount of protein, determined by immunoblot analysis using anti-p115/TAP antibodies raised against a p115/TAP-derived recombinant fusion protein, was higher during the lactating stages than at other times. Immunohistochemical study showed that p115/TAP was predominantly localized in mammary epithelial cells. The p115/TAP was also detected in tissues other than the mammary gland but, in contrast to the situation in the mammary gland, the protein and its mRNA levels in those tissues were independent of the stage of lactation. The increased level of p115/TAP mRNA during the developing stage and the maintenance of p115/TAP protein during lactation suggest that the synthesis of p115/TAP is regulated during mammary development and differentiation, and also that the protein is involved in a function related to lactation.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Collaborative work to evaluate toxicity on male reproductive organs by repeated dose studies in rats 27). Repeated toxicity study on ethylene glycol monomethyl ether for 2 and 4 weeks to detect effects on male reproductive organs in rats.

As part of a collaborative project to determine the minimum administration period to detect compound effects on male reproductive organs in Sprague-Dawley (Crj:CD(SD)) male rats, 6- and 8-week-old rats were administered ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME) daily at 100 and 200 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks or 100 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks, and histopathological changes in the testes and epididymides were examined. Testis and epididymis weights in the 2-week 200 mg/kg and 4-week 100 mg/kg groups were obviously decreased. On histopathological examination, severe degenerative changes in the testis such as atrophy of the seminiferous tubules and multinucleated giant cell formation were observed in all 2-week 200 mg/kg group rats. Degeneration of pachytene spermatocytes in Stages X IV-II, III and a decrease in the number of germ cells was observed with both 2 and 4 weeks treatments at 100 mg/kg/day. In the epididymides, the number of sperm in the caput decreased with 100 mg/kg/day groups after both 2 and 4 weeks. In addition, degeneration of pachytene spermatocytes induced by EGME was found to be exclusively due to apoptotic death. Similar testicular and epididymal changes were observed with 2 and 4 weeks treatments at 100 mg/kg/day of EGME. Therefore, we conclude that a 2 weeks administration period is sufficient for detection of EGME effects on male reproductive organs.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2000

A patient with cyclic neutropenia complicated by severe persistent neutropenia successfully delivered a healthy baby.

We describe a 24-year-old pregnant woman complicated by cyclic neutropenia (CN), who was successfully treated with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). Her white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil count fluctuated from 2,600 to 4,600/microl, and 26 to 2,530/microl, respectively. The peak neutrophil count gradually decreased as pregnancy advanced, resulting in the disappearance of its cyclicity. At 39 weeks of pregnancy when the neutrophil count became 84/microl, the patient was started on G-CSF and her neutrophil count increased to 1,550/microl on the fourth day after delivery. She delivered a healthy baby without any complications at 39 weeks of pregnancy.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[A therapeutic metastasectomy of pulmonary metastases by VATS].

The use of VATS to perform diagnostic metastasectomy is uniformly accepted, but the role of therapeutic VATS metastasectomy remains controversial. We retrospectively compared the value of therapeutic metastasectomy by VATS with that by open thoracotomy in the management of pulmonary metastatic tumors. The forty-six patients who underwent a complete metastasectomy of pulmonary metastatic tumors were divided into groups: one group in which metastasectomy was performed by VATS (VATS group; 23 cases, 25 operations) and another group in which metastasectomy was performed by open thoracotomy (Thoracotomy group 23 cases, 26 operations). Here, complete metastasectomy means compete resection of all tumors, which were detected by preoperative high resolution computed tomography in both groups and also by intraoperative manipulation in the thoracotomy group, without positive lesions of the surgical margin. The groups were matched with respect to preoperative clinical characteristics (age, sex, primary lesion, disease-free interval) and histological findings (maximum tumor size, number of metastatic tumors, minimum distance between surgical margin and tumor edge). The cumulative survival one-year and three-year rates were 83.5 and 83.5% in the VATS group, and 89.5 and 77.5% in the thoracotomy group, respectively. The cumulative one-year and three-year non-recurrence rates were 72.3 and 68.0% in the VATS group and 83.9 and 63.8% in the thoracotomy group, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups. We conclude that pulmonary metastasectomy by VATS can be used safely not only as a diagnostic but also therapeutic tool if complete resection is done following diagnosis by preoperative high resolution computed tomography.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

[A case of advanced gastric cancer with hepatic metastasis successfully treated by combined chemotherapy with UFT and lentinan].

We have experienced successful treatment of a hepatic metastasis of gastric cancer with UFT and lentinan. The patient was a 65-year-old male, who underwent distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer with hepatic and lymphatic metastases. After operation, administrations of UFT 300 mg/day and lentinan 2 mg/2 weeks were given, and the hepatic metastasis disappeared by 17 months. We performed a resection of the residual stomach and lymphatic metastasis at 52 months after operation. For over 5 years the patient has shown no evidence of a recurrence of the hepatic metastasis. This chemotherapy regimen was very effective and improved the patients quality of life.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2000

[Drug-resistant bacteria in clinical situations].

There are two major categories of drug-resistant bacteria that can cause severe and intractable infections. The first includes multi drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis(MDRMT), penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae(PRSP), and beta-lactamase positive or negative ampicillin-resistant Haemophilus influenzae, which used to be isolated from the patients with community-acquired infection. However, these pathogens have been often isolated in recent years from patients with hospital/chronic care facilities/nursing-home mass infection. The second major category includes methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus species(VRE), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacteriaceae including extended-spectrum beta-lactamases(ESBLs) producing strain, which are mainly isolated from compromised patients with nosocomial infections. The pathogenicity of these pathogens, almost all of which are found in the normal flora of humans, is weak, but often cause nosocomial infections in compromised patients. We need, therefore, surveillance system for these pathogens, and carefully determine whether these pathogens, if isolated, are causative pathogens.

Bacteria↗

PubMed2000

[One advice to the decision of graft size for ascending and total arch graft replacement (in a case of differential diameters in ascending aorta and descending aorta)].

We carried out the surgery of thoracic aortic aneurysm in fifty-eight patients from June 1994 to February 1999 (including aortic dissection in twenty-six patients). The mean size of grafts were 28.1 mm in ascending graft replacement, 25.8 mm in both ascending and arch graft replacement and 23.8 mm in descending graft replacement. The grafts for ascending aortic aneurysm were significantly larger than those for descending aortic aneurysm. In two of twenty-six patients undergoing both ascending and arch graft replacement, different size of grafts were used for ascending replacement and for arch replacement with satisfactory results in terms of bleeding from the anastomotic sites. Case 1; A 45-year-female with aortitis syndrome and aortic regurgitation due to annuloaorticectasia and thoracic aortic aneurysm underwent simultaneous aortic root replacement with composite graft (25 mm St. Jude Medical valve and 28 mm Hemashield graft) and total arch replacement (30 mm Hemashield graft with two side branches). Case 2; A 64-year-female was diagnosed as chronic type II dissecting aneurysm combined with acute type I aortic dissection. Ascending aorta was replaced with a 26 mm Hemashield graft, and the aortic arch was replaced with a 24 mm Hemashield graft with three side branches.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

PubMed2000

[Two cases of multiple primary cancer involving the lung with old pulmonary tuberculosis].

We reported 2 relatively rare cases of multiple primary cancer including lung cancer accompanied by old pulmonary tuberculosis. Patient 1 was a 62-year-old man admitted to our hospital for further evaluation of an infiltrative shadow on chest X-ray films, and a cervical tumor noted 10 years earlier and thought to be thyroid cancer. A Transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) specimen disclosed poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. A right upper lobectomy and thyroidectomy were performed. Histopathologic findings showed a neoplastic lesion adjacent to caseous necrosis with formation of granuloma consistent with tuberculosis. Also, the cervical tumor was considered to be a metastatic lymph node from thyroid papillary carcinoma. Patient 2 was a 73-year-old man with a 14-year history of treatment for transitional cell carcinoma of urinary bladder, who had been admitted to our hospital for further evaluation because of a nodular shadow observed on chest X-ray films. TBLB specimens disclosed adenocarcinoma. A right upper lobectomy was performed. Histopathologic findings revealed a neoplastic tumorlet in the same lobe. No detectable increases in serum TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta or IFN-gamma were observed in either patient. Phytohemagglutinin- and concanavalin-A-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation decreased in Patient 1. These findings suggested that the immunocompromised status of patients with cancer in addition to old pulmonary tuberculosis may contribute to the development of lung cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2000

Double simultaneous cysts of the mediastinum.

We describe a rare case of double mediastinal tumors in a 60-year-old male with spinocerebellar degeneration. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) accidentally revealed double cystic tumors in the anterior and posterior mediastinum. Surgical management by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) was successfully performed. The histological diagnoses were confirmed as a thymic cyst in the anterior and a thoracic duct cyst in the posterior mediastinum, respectively.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

PubMed2000

[Clinical evaluation of spontaneous peripelvic extravasation].

We herein report 10 patients with spontaneous peripelvic extravasation. They were 7 males and 3 females, ranging in age from 39 to 78 years old. The spontaneous peripelvic extravasation were caused by ureteral stones in 6 patients, and by invasion of malignant tumors in 4 patients (2 gastric cancer, 1 prostatic cancer, 1 uterine cancer). In all patients with ureteral stones, the extravasation disappeared following conservative therapy or double J stent placement. In the cases of malignant tumors, nephrostomy or double J stent placement were needed for treatment of the extravasation and their prognosis were very poor.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Association study on the DUSP6 gene, an affective disorder candidate gene on 12q23, performed by using fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based melting curve analysis on the LightCycler.

We introduced a new genotyping method, fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based melting curve analysis on the LightCycler, for the analysis of the gene, DUSP6 (dual specificity MAP kinase phosphatase 6), in affective disorder patients. The DUSP6 gene is located on chromosome 12q22-23, which overlaps one of the reported bipolar disorder susceptibility loci. Because of its role in intracellular signalling pathways, the gene may be involved in the pathogenesis of affective disorders not only on the basis of its position but also of its function. We performed association analysis using a T>G polymorphism that gives rise to a missense mutation (Leu114Val). No evidence for a significant disease-causing effect was found in Japanese unipolars (n = 132) and bipolars (n = 122), when compared with controls (n = 299). More importantly, this study demonstrates that melting curve analysis on the LightCycler is an accurate, rapid and robust method for discriminating genotypes from biallelic markers. This strategy has the potential for use in high throughput scanning for and genotyping of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[The validity and problems of a new staging system for lung cancer from the point of view of surgical results].

The validity and problems of the new staging system for resected lung cancer were assessed. In the new staging system for primary lung cancer, stage I is divided into two groups (A and B) on the basis of the tumor diameter. The boundary is 30 mm in maximum diameter of the tumor. On the other hand, intrapulmonary satellite nodules in the resected lung (PM1) are considered as T4. This means that a patient with PM1 is classified as stage IIIB or IV. The five-year cumulative survival rates of 191 consecutive patients of T1 or T2N0M0 who had undergone complete lung resection were calculated. The patients were divided two groups on the basis of the boundaries of the tumor diameter, such as 15, 20, 25, 30 and 40 mm (The tumor diameter in group A is the boundary and less than boundary and the diameter in group B is more than the boundary), and the cumulative survival rates of the two groups were compared. The 5-year cumulative survival rate (Kaplan-Meier survival rate) of each group and the p-value (logrank test) were 85.0%, and 0.463 in the case of the boundary of 15 mm; 84.8%, 79.9%, and 0.374 in the case of 20 mm, 82.3%, 80.0%, and 0.553 in the case of 25 mm, 79.5, 83.5, 0.524 in the case of 30 mm and 81.0%, 82.2%, and 0.783 in the case of 40 mm. In all cases, there were no significant differences between the rates in the two groups. On the other hand, 15 cases of T4N0M0 lung cancer included 12 cases of pm1, 2 cases of p3 and 1 case of d2. The five-year cumulative survival rate for T4N0M0 patients with pm1 was 71.1%, which was similar to the rate for stage I or II patients, while the two T4N0M0 patients with p3 died of recurrences of lung cancer at 10 and 13 months after the operation, and the T4N0M0 patient with d2 died of local recurrence of lung cancer 60 months postoperatively. We concluded that the sub-classification of stage I on the basis of the boundary of tumor diameter was meaningless, if the boundary was between 15 and 40 mm and that N0M0 patients with PM1 should be classified as stage II or less, or as 1 grade up of T status.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

[Treatment and prognosis of children with relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma--a report from CCLSG-NHL 890 Study. Children's Cancer and Leukemia Study Group (CCLSG)].

To address the issue of salvageability in relapsed children with NHL who had all received the same frontline therapy, we retrospectively studied the treatment response and the outcome of 27 children who relapsed following the CCLSG-NHL890 protocol. The reinduction rates and 3-year survival rates (mean +/- SD) were as follows: lymphoblastic lymphoma (LB, n = 9), 44% & 17 +/- 14%; leukemia lymphoma syndrome (LLS, n = 8), 25% & 0%; large cell lymphoma (LC, n = 3) 100% & 67 +/- 27%; Burkitt's lymphoma (B, n = 7) 0% & 0%. Thus, the salvageability of LC lymphoma was good, but the outcome of Burkitt's lymphoma was very poor. CCLSG-NHL960 protocol for LB lymphomas and intensive multiagent regimens for LC lymphomas produced favorable response rates, but the effect of the high-dose Ara-C regimen for Burkitt's lymphoma was not determined. The initial stages of the disease seemed to be associated with the patient outcome: the outcome of the patients in stage IV was inferior to that of patients in stages II or III. Other clinical variables, such as relapse sites, relapse time and BM rescue did not affect the patients' outcome.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

[Antibacterial activities of piperacillin for several resistant strains from respiratory infections--in reference to MRSA, PRSP, BLNAR and P. aeruginosa].

We investigated antibacterial activities of piperacillin (PIPC) for several resistant strains of bacteria isolated from patients with respiratory infections from 1998 to 1999 in comparison with reference drugs and obtained the following results: 1. The majority of methicillin resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) showed high resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics including PIPC. 2. MIC90 of PIPC was 1 and 4 micrograms/ml for penicillin intermediate and penicillin resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae (PISP/PRSP), respectively. 3. MIC90 of PIPC was 0.25 microgram/ml for beta-lactamase negative ampicillin resistant strains of Haemophilus influenzae (BLNAR), showing higher antibacterial activity than the reference drugs. 4. PIPC exhibited the MICs of 8 micrograms/ml or less in 19 out of 40 IPM resistant (MIC > or = 16 micrograms/ml) strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. From these results, PIPC is proved to possess extremely favorable antibacterial activities for BLNAR, and it was suggested that PIPC might be a drug of choice even for PISP/PRSP and IPM resistant strains of P. aeruginosa.

Ampicillin↗

PubMed2000

[A case of mediastinal non seminomatous germ cell tumor successfully treated with chemotherapy and curative surgery].

A 15-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of left lateral chest pain. Chest XP and CT scan revealed a huge anterior mediastinal mass (13 x 8 x 12 cm). The serum AFP level was raised (8,089 ng/ml). Examination of a percutaneous biopsy of the tumor suggested non-seminomatous germ cell carcinoma. After three courses of chemotherapy with CDDP, Bleomycin and VP-16, the mass reduced in size and the serum AFP level decreased to the normal range. The tumor was completely removed. The postoperative course was uneventful and he has had no recurrence for 10 months following the operation. AFP is a very useful parameter for deciding the timing for an operation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

[Ruptured aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva into the right atrium with aortic valve perforation].

A 58-year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of sudden dyspnea and general malaise. A continuous murmur was heard along the left sternal border. A chest X-ray showed cardiomegaly and pulmonary vascular marking. Doppler echocardiography confirmed the presence of an aneurysmatic mass, originating from the non-coronary sinus of Valsalva and extending to the right atrium, with a turbulent flow into the right atrium, aortic regurgitation (II/IV) and tricuspid regurgitation (III/IV). Ascending aortography demonstrated a communication between the aortic sinus and the right atrium. The pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratio was calculated to be 2.04. Oblique aortotomy and right atriotomy were performed. The aneurysm was resected and its origin was directly closed with horizontal mattress sutures through the aortic side and right atrial side. Perforation of a non-coronary cusp that caused aortic regurgitation was found following aortotomy and it was closed with an autologous pericardial patch. Tricuspid annuloplasty was performed using DeVega's technique. The postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged on the 10th postoperative day.

Aortic Rupture↗

PubMed2000

[A patient of infantile polymyositis triggered by respiratory syncytium virus infection].

An 11-month-old boy developed acute polymyositis about 1 week after respiratory syncytium virus (RSV) pneumonia. He was admitted to our hospital because of interstitial pneumonia. RSV infection was confirmed by the presence of its antigen in his nasal discharge. Two weeks later, his chest X-ray findings improved and RSV antigen became negative, but severe generalized muscle weakness developed, causing respiratory failure. Muscle biopsy demonstrated inflammatory cellular infiltration with occasional fiber necrosis. Intravenous steroid pulse therapy was remarkably effective resulting in complete recovery of his muscle power. In this patient polymyositis was preceded with RSV infection, suggesting a close relationship between polymyositis and RSV infection. Although many patients of viral myositis have been reported to be associated with coxsackie B, HCV and HTLV-1 viruses, our patient is the first infantile polymyositis secondary to RSV infection.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2000

Nutritional therapy of chronic hepatitis by whey protein (non-heated).

In an open study the clinical efficacy of milk serum (whey) protein (Immunocal; cysteine content: 7.6-fold higher than that of casein) isolated from fresh milk and purified without heating was evaluated in 25 patients with chronic hepatitis B or C. Immunocal (12 g as protein) food (mousse) was given twice a day, in the morning and evening, for 12 weeks (test period). Casein (12 g as protein) food (mousse) was similarly given for two weeks prior to the start of the supplement with Immunocal food (induction period) and for four weeks after the end of the supplement with Immunocal food (follow-up period). Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was reduced, and plasma glutathione (GSH) levels increased in six and five of eight patients with chronic hepatitis B, respectively, 12 weeks after the start of the supplement with Immunocal food. Serum lipid peroxide levels significantly decreased, and interleukin (IL)-2 levels and natural killer (NK) activity significantly increased. However, there were no significant Immunocal-related changes in 17 patients with chronic hepatitis C. These findings suggest that the long-term supplement with Immunocal alone may be effective for improving liver dysfunctions in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Adult↗