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Biomedical subjects

H Fukuda

Publications and source records attributed to H Fukuda.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Biochemical markers in the synovial fluid of glenohumeral joints from patients with rotator cuff tear.

It is known that rotator cuff tears are sometimes accompanied by joint destruction. Our purpose was to elucidate the pathology with this condition. Thirty-two synovial fluid (SF) samples aspirated from the glenohumeral joints of patients with rotator cuff tears, including 7 with partial-thickness and 25 with full-thickness tears of the rotator cuff (10 massive and 15 isolated supraspinatus tendon (SSp) tears), were examined. Collagenase (MMP-1), stromelysin 1 (MMP-3), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) and carboxy-terminal type II procollagen peptide (pCOL Il-C) were measured in the SF using the respective sandwich enzyme immunoassays. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) was also quantified with a cationic dye binding method using 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue. Levels of any molecules except pCOL II-C in the SF appeared to be higher in full-thickness tears than those in partial-thickness tears. Moreover, levels of MMP-1, MMP-3 and GAG in the SF were significantly higher in massive tears of the rotator cuff in comparison with those in isolated SSp tears. Such significance was not observed in the levels of TIMP-1 or pCOL II C in the SF. We examined the relation of those levels with operative findings or clinical parameters from full-thickness tears, and observed significant correlations of the tear size with the levels of MMP-1, MMP-3 and GAG in the SF. Although these marker molecules in SF do not always originate from cartilage, our results may indicate the potential for accelerated cartilage-degrading activity in the glenohumeral joint in massive tears of the rotator cuff.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the subacromial bursa is increased in patients with impingement syndrome.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is known to be an angiogenetic factor, plays an important role in the inflammation of synovial tissue. To investigate the relationships between VEGF and clinical symptoms in rotator cuff disease, VEGF expression was examined using RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analysis in 50 patients with this disease (26 with full-thickness cuff tear, 12 with partial-thickness tear, and 12 with subacromial bursitis). VEGF mRNA expression was detected in 40 out of 50 patients by RT-PCR. VEGF mRNA expression was found more frequently in the patients with motion pain (39 out of 41) than in those without motion pain (1 out of 9) with statistical significance (Fisher's test, P < 0.001). Thirty-one out of 33 patients with synovial proliferation showed VEGF mRNA expression, whereas the expression of this transcript was found in 9 out of 17 patients without synovial proliferation. This association with synovial proliferation was also significant (Fisher's test, P = 0.0013). Thirty out of 41 patients with motion pain had synovial proliferation but 3 out of 9 patients without motion pain had synovial proliferation. In all these 30 patients with both motion pain and synovial proliferation, VEGF mRNA expression was detected. This association between motion pain and synovial proliferation was also significant (Fisher's test, P < 0.05). The mean vessel count and area in subacromial bursa expressing VEGF was significantly higher than in those without VEGF (Mann Whitney's U test, P < 0.01). These results suggested that VEGF expression is associated with vascularity, synovial proliferation and shoulder motion pain in the rotator cuff disease.

Acromion↗
PubMed2001

Healing of full-thickness tears of avian supracoracoid tendons: in situ hybridization of alpha1(I) and alpha1(III) procollagen mRNA.

Although clinically significant, much remains unknown about the healing of the torn rotator cuff tendon, because of unavailability of appropriate animal model. The human supraspinatus tendon faces the subacromial bursa superiorly, and the joint capsule inferiorly, while the digital flexor tendon is surrounded by the synovium. We hypothesized that the supraspinatus tendon heals by the process which is different from that observed with digital flexor tendons, in which epitenon cells migrate into the torn portion circumferentially. The avian supracoracoid tendon was adopted for this experiment because of its similarity to the human supraspinatus tendon. We developed a full-thickness tendon laceration followed by primary suture. The objective of this study was to detect localization of the responsible cells for repair of the tendon. We examined the process using histology and in situ hybridization. Starting at week 1 the peritendon cells of the bursal side proliferated and migrated into the laceration site. At week 6, the tendon stumps were continuous with new connective tissue. High-level expression of procollagen mRNA in the proliferating peritendon cells on the bursal side demonstrates to contribute to the reparative process, which progressed to the joint side. This mode of repair is different from that of the digital flexor tendon.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Video-assisted rigid endoscopic laryngosurgery: application to cases with difficult laryngeal exposure.

In some cases of microlaryngosurgery, laryngeal exposure with a direct laryngoscope is difficult because of a variety of reasons. In such cases, we now use a long rigid endoscope inserted into the side tube of the direct laryngoscope together with a video system. The lesion can be removed while the phonosurgeon observes the magnified images of the larynx on the video monitor. We describe the surgical procedure together with the preoperative and postoperative evaluation of vocal function in 13 patients with benign laryngeal lesions. A good surgical and vocal outcome was achieved in all cases. The method appeared to be useful for treating dysphonia in patients in whom it was difficult to expose the larynx with a direct laryngoscope.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Small dose of prostaglandin E(1) increases cardiac output without altering blood volume.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of small dose of intravenous (IV) prostaglandin E(1) (PGE(1)) on blood volume (BV) and cardiac output (CO) by pulse dye-densitometry (PDD) in patients administered isoflurane anesthesia. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: 14 ASA physical status I and II adult patients undergoing elective neurosurgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to either the PGE(1) group (n = 7) or the control group (n = 7). Anesthesia was induced with thiamylal, fentanyl, and vecuronium, and maintained with isoflurane and nitrous oxide. When the cardiovascular system stabilized after craniotomy and incision of the dura mater, we administered a small dose of PGE(1) at a rate of 0.02 microg/kg/min (PGE(1) group) or saline at a rate of 2 mL/min (control group). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Blood volume, CO, and mean transit time (MTT) were measured by PDD before and 60 minutes after the start of administration. At the same timing, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and central venous pressure (CVP) were measured, and systemic vascular resistance (SVR), cardiac index (CI), and CO/BV were computed. As for MAP, there was no significant difference within a group and between groups. In the PGE(1) group, significant increases were noted in CI from 2.54 +/- 0.46 to 3.24 +/- 0.83 (mean +/- SD) L/min/m(2) (p < 0.05), in CO/BV from 0.90 +/- 0.24 to 1.19 +/- 0.33 (p < 0.05), and in HR from 65.7 +/- 10.1 to 74.9 +/- 12.1 bpm (p < 0.05), and a significant decrease was observed in MTT from 22.3 +/- 6.5 to 18.2 +/- 5.1 seconds (p < 0.05 ). Cardiac index and CO/BV in the PGE(1) group increased higher than in the control group, while BV, CVP and SVR remained consistent in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: A small dose of PGE(1), low enough not to provoke hypotension, increased CO without alterations in BV. The increase in CO seemed to be mainly due to an increase in HR.

Alprostadil↗
PubMed2001

Toward the identification of selective modulators of protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes: establishment of a binding assay for PKC isozymes using synthetic C1 peptide receptors and identification of the critical residues involved in the phorbol ester binding.

Conventional and novel protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes contain two cysteine-rich C1 domains (C1A and C1B), both of which are candidate phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) binding sites. We previously synthesized C1 peptides (of approximately 50 residues) corresponding to all PKC isozymes and measured their PDBu binding affinity. While many of these peptide receptors exhibited PDBu affinities comparable to the respective complete isozyme, some of the C1A peptides could not be used because they undergo temperature dependent inactivation. This problem was however eliminated by 4 degrees C incubation or elongation of the 50-mer C1 peptides at both N- and C-termini to increase their folding efficiency and stability. These findings enabled us to determine the K(d)'s of PDBu for all PKC C1 peptides (except for theta-C1A) and establish the value of these peptides as readily available, stable, and easily handled surrogates of the individual isozymes. The resultant C1 peptide receptor library can be used to screen for new ligands with PKC isozyme and importantly C1 domain selectivity. Most of the C1 peptide receptors showed strong PDBu binding affinities with K(d)'s in the nanomolar range (0.45-7.4 nM). Two peptides (delta-C1A and theta-C1A) bound PDBu over 100-fold less tightly. To identify the residues that contribute to this affinity difference, several mutants of delta-C1A and theta-C1A were synthesized. Both the G9K mutant of delta-C1A and the P9K mutant of theta-C1A showed K(d)'s of 2-3 nM. This approach provides a useful procedure to determine the role of each C1 domain of the PKC isozymes by point mutation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Whole cell biocatalyst for biodiesel fuel production utilizing Rhizopus oryzae cells immobilized within biomass support particles.

As part of a research program aimed at producing biodiesel fuel from plant oils enzymatically cells of Rhizopus oryzae (R. oryzae) IFO4697 (with a 1,3-positional specificity lipase) immobilized within biomass support particles (BSPs) were investigated for the methanolysis of soybean oil. The R. oryzae cells easily became immobilized within the BSPs during batch operation. To enhance the methanolysis activity of the immobilized cells under the culture conditions used, various substrate-related compounds were added to the culture medium. Among the compounds tested, olive oil or oleic acid was significantly effective. In contrast, no glucose was necessary. Immobilized cells were treated with several organic solvents, but none gave higher activity than untreated cells. When methanolysis was carried out with stepwise additions of methanol using BSP-immobilized cells, in the presence of 15% water the methyl esters (MEs) content in the reaction mixture reached 90% - the same level as that using the extracellular lipase. The process presented here, using a whole cell biocatalyst, is considered to be promising for biodiesel fuel production in industrial applications.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Metabolism of hepatocyte growth factor in the heart in patients with coronary artery disease: implication for coronary arteriosclerosis.

PURPOSE: HGF, one of endothelium-specific growth factors, might contribute to the repair process of vascular endothelial cell damage, suggesting that serum HGF concentration may be elevated in patients with arteriosclerosis. However, the cardiac metabolism of HGF has not been examined in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We examined the levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in the coronary circulation and its correlation with the severity of arteriosclerosis in patients with CAD. METHODS: We measured serum HGF concentration obtained from the coronary sinus (CS) and ascending aorta (AA) in patients with atherosclerotic CAD (Group E, n = 33) or vasospastic angina (Group V, n = 26), or normal control subjects (Group N, n = 12). In Group E, the severity of coronary artery stenosis was evaluated using the Gensini's score. RESULTS: Serum HGF concentrations (ng ml) in the CS were 0.112 +/- 0.008 in Group E (p < 0.001 vs. Group V, p < 0.001 vs. Group N), 0.197 +/- 0.012 in Group V (p = 0.031 vs. Group N), and 0.245 +/- 0.021 in Group N. Serum HGF concentrations in the AA were 0.282 +/- 0.014 in Group E (p = 0.045 vs. Group V, p = 0.021 vs. Group N), 0.246 +/- 0.012 in Group V, and 0.237 +/- 0.009 in Group N. Serum HGF extraction in the heart (HGF in the AA-HGF in the CS) in Group E (0.170 +/- 0.018) was significantly higher compared with in Group V (0.049 +/- 0.011) or Group N (0.008 +/- 0.005). There was a significant negative correlation between the severity of coronary arteriosclerosis and serum HGF concentration in CS (r = -0.66, p < 0.001), and a significant positive correlation between the severity of coronary arteriosclerosis and HGF extraction in the heart (r = 0.75. p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the difference of HGF levels between CS and AA in patients with CAD are decreased, and extent of decreases in HGF levels correlates with the severity of coronary arteriosclerosis. The abnormality of HGF metabolism in the heart may contribute to the progression of coronary arteriosclerosis.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed2001

A seroepidemiological study of the risks of Q fever infection in Japanese veterinarians.

The causative agent of Q fever, a widespread zoonotic disease, is the bacteria Coxiella burnetii. Although cases of Q fever have been documented in countries throughout the world, the prevalence of the disease in Japan is not yet known. Q fever is a demonstrated occupational hazard to those employed in zoological professions, but the risk to Japanese veterinarians has not yet been quantified. In order to evaluate the risk to Japanese veterinarians, we performed a serological survey using serum samples from 267 veterinarians. Two control groups consisting of 352 medical workers and 2003 healthy blood donors were also evaluated. The antibody titers of the serum samples were measured by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using phase II C. burnetii Nine Mile strain as the antigen. The positive rate of IgG antibody was 13.5% in the veterinarians, which was higher than in the blood donors (3.6%, p < 0.001) and medical workers (5.1 %,p < 0.001). These findings suggest that Japanese veterinarians have a higher risk of infection by C. burnetii than other members of the Japanese population. An interesting finding of this study was that positive rates of IgG and IgM antibodies in the blood donor group were higher in younger individuals. The IgM antibody positive rate was the highest in females under 30 years old.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed2001

Skeletal muscle regeneration after insulin-like growth factor I gene transfer by recombinant Sendai virus vector.

We scrutinized the applicability and efficacy of Sendai virus (SeV) vectors expressing either LacZ or human insulin-like growth factor-I (hIGF-I) in gene transfer into skeletal muscle. Seven days after the intramuscular injection of LacZ/SeV X-gal labeled myofibers were demonstrated in rat anterior tibialis muscle with/without bupivacaine treatment and the transgene expression persisted up to 1 month after injection. Recombinant hIGF-I was detected as a major protein species in culture supernatants of a neonatal rat myoblast cell line L6 and thus induced the cells to undergo myogenetic differentiation. The introduction of hIGF-I/SeV into the muscle showed a significant increase in regenerating and split myofibers which were indicative of hypertrophy, and also an increase in the total number of myofibers, in comparison to that seen in the LacZ/SeV-treated control muscle. These results demonstrate that SeV achieves high-level transgene expression in skeletal muscle, and that hIGF-I gene transfer using SeV vector may therefore have great potential in the treatment of neuromuscular disorders.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

A new G-CSF-supported combination chemotherapy, LSG15, for adult T-cell leukaemia-lymphoma: Japan Clinical Oncology Group Study 9303.

This phase II trial was performed to evaluate the efficacy of a new granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-supported multi-agent chemotherapy protocol, LSG15, for aggressive adult T-cell leukaemia-lymphoma (ATL). Ninety-six previously untreated patients with aggressive ATL were enrolled and grouped as: acute type (58), lymphoma type (28) and unfavourable chronic type (10). Therapy consisted of seven cycles of VCAP (vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and prednisone), AMP (doxorubicin, ranimustine and prednisone) and VECP (vindesine, etoposide, carboplatin and prednisone). G-CSF was administered during the intervals between chemotherapy until neutrophil reconstitution was achieved. Eighty-one per cent of the 93 eligible patients responded [95% confidence interval (CI), 71.1-88.1%], with 33 patients obtaining complete response (35.5%) and 42 obtaining partial response (45.2%). The median survival time (MST) after registration was 13 months and the median follow-up duration of the 20 surviving patients was 4.2 years (range 2.8-5.6). Overall survival at 2 years was estimated to be 31.3% (95% CI, 22.0-40.5%). Grade 4 haematological toxicity of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were observed in 65.3% and 52.6% of the patients respectively, but grade 4 non-haematological toxicity was observed in only one patient. LSG15 is feasible with mild non-haematological toxicity and improved the clinical outcome of ATL patients. MST and overall survival at 2 years were superior to those obtained by our previous trials.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Elimination of POR expression correlates with red leaf formation in Amaranthus tricolor.

Amaranthus tricolor L. tricolor cv. Earlysplendor, an ornamental amaranth, generates red leaves instead of green leaves in late summer to early autumn. Red leaf formation was promoted under short-day conditions and delayed by night-break treatments. Red leaves were characterized by lower levels of chlorophyll accumulation rather than higher levels of red pigment (betacyanin) accumulation. However, the metabolic activity toward the production of Mg-protoporphyrin, an intermediate in the biosynthesis pathway for chlorophyll, was detected in red leaves as well as in green leaves. RNA gel blot analysis was performed to assess the expression of nine genes encoding eight enzymes involved in chlorophyll biosynthesis. Among these enzymes, red-leaf-specific reduction of gene expression was observed only for NADPH-protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (POR), a key enzyme catalyzing a later step of chlorophyll biosynthesis. In addition, immunoblot analysis showed no accumulation of POR protein(s) in red leaves. These data indicate that the repression of POR gene expression and resultant loss of chlorophyll synthesis activity plays a role in red leaf formation of A. tricolor.

Anthocyanins↗
PubMed2001

Development of squamous cell carcinoma from pre-existent oral leukoplakia: with respect to treatment modality.

The present study was undertaken in order to determine whether surgical treatment of oral leukoplakia reduces the risk of the subsequent development of carcinoma. This study included 142 patients with oral leukoplakia who received or did not receive surgical treatment. All subjects were followed-up for more than 6 months with a mean follow-up period of 4 years. Malignant transformation rate was lower among patients who received surgical excision (1/75) than among those who did not receive surgical treatments (4/51). However, the malignant transformation rates were high in patients who received cryosurgery (3/12) or cryosurgery plus surgical excision (1/4). There was no obvious relation between the grade of epithelial dysplasia and the rate of malignant transformation. Our results suggest that surgical excision of oral leukoplakia may reduce the risk of the subsequent development of carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Predictability of internal carotid artery (ICA) dissectability in cases showing ICA involvement in parasellar meningioma.

The present study identified predictors for surgical internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection in cases showing ICA involvement in parasellar meningiomas. Twelve cases encountered over the past 4 years were reviewed. Based on MRI findings, patients were divided into two groups; six patients demonstrated complete ICA involvement (encasement) and the other six showed partial ICA involvement (engulfment). The ICA was dissected in all cases in the engulfment group and in four of six cases in the encasement group. The ICA can be dissected even if it is involved at the centre of the tumour if the tumour is soft and can be aspirated. Preservation of the perforating arteries is more important and more difficult. Angiographic finding showing encasement of a long segment of the ICA is unfavourable because of the high possibility that the perforating arteries are involved. Local stenosis of ICA is another unfavourable finding for surgical dissection because tumour invasion of the arterial wall would be suspected. Thus, ICA encasement by the tumour is the less favourable finding for surgery but it is not a decisive predictor. More important findings for ICA dissection in cases showing ICA encasement are involvement of a long segment of the ICA and local ICA stenosis on angiogram.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Sodium thiosulfate solution spray for relief of irritation caused by Lugol's stain in chromoendoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Mucosal iodine staining is known to improve the endoscopic visualization of esophageal squamous dysplasia and cancer. However, it often causes mucosal irritation leading to retrosternal discomfort. The clinical usefulness of sodium thiosulfate solution (STS) for easing symptoms induced by mucosal staining with Lugol's solution was evaluated in this study. METHODS: One hundred twenty healthy men over 50 years of age were enrolled in the study. They each underwent esophagogastroscopy including the spraying of Lugol's iodine solution (10 mL) on the mid and distal esophagus and were subsequently randomized into three groups: (I) no treatment (n = 40), (II) spraying of 20 mL of aluminum-magnesium hydroxide gel (Maalox) by means of endoscopic catheter (n = 40), and (III) spraying of 20 mL of 5% sodium thiosulfate solution by means of endoscopic catheter (n = 40). An hour after the endoscopic examination the subjects were asked to complete a questionnaire that addressed adverse symptoms induced by Lugol's iodine staining. RESULTS: Sodium thiosulfate solution spray substantially reduced adverse symptoms that lasted more than 30 minutes after chromoendoscopy, compared with the no-treatment group. There was no significant difference in the proportion of subjects with symptoms between the Maalox and no-treatment groups. Cost of sodium thiosulfate solution spray per use was $0.15 (15 yen). CONCLUSIONS: Sodium thiosulfate solution is recommended for routine use after Lugol's staining.

Coloring Agents↗
PubMed2001

Analysis of vocal fold vibration by x-ray stroboscopy with multiple markers.

OBJECTIVE: To derive a more precise description of vocal fold vibration, experimental phonation of excised canine larynxes was studied. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Multiple X-ray-positive markers were inserted, and their vibratory movement was observed with x-ray stroboscopy with change of pitch and intensity. A histologic study was also carried out. RESULT: Regular waves were observed just above the lowest point of the lamina propria of the mucous membrane, which shifted upward at high pitch, but downward in high intensity. CONCLUSIONS: The starting point of the mucosal wave was confirmed on the lower surface of the vocal fold, histologically just above the lowest point of the lamina propria of the mucous membrane and shifted upward at high pitch, but downward in high intensity. SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first study investigating the starting point of mucosal wave in vocal fold vibration in a frontal plane using x-ray stroboscopy, providing the evidence for the body-cover theory.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Phase II evaluation of protracted infusion of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus: a Japan Esophageal Oncology Group (JEOG) Trial (JCOG9407).

BACKGROUND: Surgery for advanced esophageal carcinoma has its limits as regards aggressiveness and therapeutic effect, therefore effective multimodality treatment is required to obtain better survival. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether daily continuous infusion of CDDP could achieve a higher clinical response rate with less toxicity than its drip infusion in the previous phase II study that we had conducted. METHODS: Patients with primary extensive or relapsed esophageal carcinoma after esophagectomy, which had distant organ metastasis and histologically proven SCC, were eligible for this study. A dose of 20 mg/m(2) of cisplatin and 800 mg/m(2) of 5-fluorouracil was given by continuous infusion for 24 h on days 1-5. This treatment was repeated every 4 weeks for up to four cycles. A total of 36 men and six women with a median age of 64 (range 39-75) years were registered and 36 patients were eligible. RESULTS: The overall response rate of the registered patients was 33.3% (12/36) and the median response duration was 175 days. Median survival time was 201.5 days and the 1-year survival rate was 27.8%. Change from bolus to continuous infusion of cisplatin affected neither the type nor the degree of toxicity. CONCLUSION: Daily continuous infusion of cisplatin was not associated with higher response or lower toxicity than those seen with the high-dose bolus or multibolus treatment regimens. We conclude that this regimen in this setting is not worthy of further phase III trials. JEOG is now evaluating other drug combination regimens.

Adult↗