Tumoral nature of intrathoracic meningocele in neurofibromatosis 1.
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Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
H Kawashima
Publications and source records attributed to H Kawashima.
Findings of pelvic musculature and efficacy of laparoscopic muscle stimulator in laparoscopy-assisted anorectal pull-through for high imperforate anus.
BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic findings of levator muscle and the efficacy of laparoscopic muscle stimulator (LMS) in infants with high imperforate anus have not been reported. METHODS: Twelve patients underwent laparoscopically assisted anorectoplasty for high imperforate anus. Following laparoscopic dissection of the distal rectum and division of the fistula, levator muscles in the pelvic floor were stimulated with a 5-mm-diameter LMS. Dilatation was done by inserting a guidewire and balloon catheter through the center of the levator muscle sling and muscle complex. Rectal pull-through and anastomosis between the rectum and anus were successfully completed. RESULTS: LMS showed good contraction of levator muscles and enhanced accurate midline placement of pull-through rectum. LMS was particularly useful in observing weak muscles in infants with rectovesical fistula. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy and LMS offer excellent visualization of the pelvic musculature and precise tract of rectal pull-through. Fecal continence will be assessed by long-term follow-up.
Anal Canal↗
Production of 5,8,11-eicosatrienoic acid by a delta5 and delta6 desaturation activity-enhanced mutant derived from a delta12 desaturation activity-defective mutant of Mortierella alpina 1S-4.
Enhanced production of 5,8,11-eicosatrienoic acid (Mead acid, 20:3omega9) was attained with a mutant fungus, Mortierella alpina JT-180, derived from delta12 desaturation activity-defective and delta6 desaturation activity-enhanced M. alpina M209-7. Production of 20:3omega9 by JT-180 was 1.4 times greater than that of the parent strain M209-7. This is thought to be due to its enhanced Delta5 desaturation activity, which was 3.3 times higher than that of M209-7. In both strains, 78.5-80.4% of the total lipids comprised triacylglycerol (TG), and 76.6-79.0% of 20:3omega9 was present in TG. Comparing the fatty acid compositions among various lipid species, the highest percentages (24.1-37.6%) of 20:3omega9 in total lipids were found in phosphatidylcholine. For optimization of 20:3omega9 production by JT-180, a glucose concentration of 4% in the culture medium and shifting of the growth temperature from 28 degrees C to 20 degrees C on the 2nd day were shown to be effective. Under optimal conditions, 20:3omega9 production by JT-180 reached 1.92 g/l culture medium in a 10-l jar fermentor (corresponding to 81.5 mg/g dry mycelia and 18.3% of total fatty acids), which is greater than that reported previously from M209-7 (1.65 g/l).
8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid↗
Contrast-enhanced MR angiography (enhanced 3-D fast gradient echo) for diagnosis of cerebral aneurysms.
We evaluated contrast-enhanced MRA (enhanced 3-D fast gradient echo, EFGRE3D, with spectral IR) for the identification of unruptured cerebral aneurysms. We examined 22 aneurysms from 15 patients. In its ability to identify aneurysms, contrast-enhanced MRA was superior to 3-D-time of flight (3D-TOF) MRA in 4 instances, equal in 17, and inferior in 1. Contrast-enhanced MRA demonstrated thrombus formation more clearly and accurately than did 3D-TOF MRA. Contrast-enhanced MRA was performed in less than 1 min, and was found to be a useful method for the identification of intracranial aneurysms.
Aged↗
Ultrasound biomicroscopic study of sclerotomy sites after implantation of sustained release drug devices.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the potential of ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) as a tool to study the precise location and changes of sclerotomy sites of the eye with an intraocular drug delivery device. METHODS: Eight eyes of six patients (13 sites) who received ganciclovir implants were examined by UBM. Examinations were performed 1-26 months (mean 12.8 months) postoperatively. Serial transverse and radial sections of the anterior ciliary body around the sclerotomy sites were obtained. RESULTS: The ganciclovir implant contour was successfully viewed using an UBM with high reflectivity. Three implants were deviated anteriorly and they were very close to the ciliary body and the lens (anterior deviation), while four implants were deviated posteriorly and away from the lens (posterior deviation). The other six implants were located at the appropriate position as intended. A solitary homogeneous mass with a medium reflectivity around the suture tab was observed at 12 out of 13 sites in seven eyes. Thick membranes extending from sclerotomy sites to the ora serrata were found at two sites in two eyes. CONCLUSION: UBM is helpful in detecting abnormal manifestations around ganciclovir implants and is a valuable tool to assess the changes of the sclerotomy sites of the sustained released intraocular devices.
Antiviral Agents↗
Use of nitrogen stable isotope ratio of periphyton for monitoring nitrogen sources in a river system.
In order to confirm the usefulness of the N stable isotope ratio of periphyton (mainly composed of attached algae) as an indicator for monitoring the N sources in river watersheds, we measured the isotope ratio of periphyton along the Chikuma River. In the river, both the concentrations of dissolved total nitrogen (DTN) and the delta15N values of periphyton increased downstream. Specific nitrogen loading rates (SNLR) calculated from administrative data also showed an increase downstream from 7 to 11 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1), with the increasing contribution by sewage and livestock waste from 6 to 40% to total N loading. There are significant positive relationships between the DTN concentration and the SNLR (r2=0.54, P<0.05), and the delta15N values of periphyton and the SNLR (r2=0.78, P<0.05). The increase in DTN concentration reflected the increase in input of N loading. The increase in delta15N of periphyton might reflect the increase in relative contribution by sewage and livestock waste down the river, especially the increase in sewage. The present study indicates the usefulness of the N stable isotope ratio of periphyton as an indicator for monitoring N sources in a river system.
Animals↗
Tamoxifen agonism and estrogen antagonism of c-fos gene promoter activity through non-consensus-responsive elements in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts.
We find that the activity of a 0.4-kb human c-fos gene promoter (-404/+41), which lacks consensus estrogen-responsive elements (EREs), is regulated by estrogen receptor (ER) ligands in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells through ERs in a manner distinct from ERE-mediated regulation. When ERalpha is coexpressed, both estrogens and antiestrogens upregulate promoter activity. When ERbeta is coexpressed, however, three tested antiestrogens affect c-fos promoter activity, with tamoxifen exerting the greatest effect, while estrogens have no such effect. The tamoxifen agonism through ERbeta is antagonized by 17beta-estradiol, while the 17beta-estradiol agonism through ERalpha is canceled by excess-level coexpression of ERbeta. Deletion analysis revealed that the sequence -206/-110 plays a crucial role in the ERbeta-mediated tamoxifen agonism. Interestingly, there is no ERbeta-mediated tamoxifen agonism when nonosteoblastic cells are tested. Taken together, these results suggest that the transcription of the c-fos gene is regulated by ER ligands possibly through non-ERE elements in ligand structure-, cell type-, and ER subtype-dependent manners.
Animals↗
Input-output budget of nitrogen and the effect of experimentally changed deposition in the forest ecosystems in central Japan.
To evaluate the current nitrogen (N) status in Japanese forests, field measurements of rainfall, throughfall, litter layer percolation, and soil solution percolation were conducted in a red pine stand (Kannondai) and a deciduous stand (Yasato) located in central Japan. N input via throughfall was 31 and 14 kg ha(-1) year(-1) and output below rooting zone was 9.6 and 5.5 kg ha1 year(-1) in Kannondai and in Yasato, respectively. Two thirds of input N were retained in plant-soil systems. Manipulation of N input was carried out. Ionic constituents were removed from throughfall with ion exchange resin at removal sites and ammonium nitrate containing twice the N of the throughfall was applied at N addition sites periodically. SO4(2-) output below 20-cm soil layer changed depending on the input, while NO3- output was regulated mainly by the internal cycle and effect of manipulation was undetected. These Japanese stands were generally considered to have a larger capacity to assimilate N than NITREX sites in Europe. However, N output fluxes had large spatial variability and some sites in Kannondai showed high N leaching below rooting zone almost balanced with the input via throughfall.
Ammonia↗
Cloning and characterization of the functional promoter of mouse estrogen receptor beta gene.
The recently discovered estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) exhibits some properties distinct from those of the classical estrogen receptor, ERalpha. To elucidate the mechanism underlying the regulation of ERbeta gene expression, we cloned and characterized the 5'-flanking (promoter) region of the mouse ERbeta (mERbeta) gene. A TATA-like motif was found in the 5'-flanking region, and transcription initiation sites were mapped 24 bp and 27 bp downstream from the motif by primer extension analysis and 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The mERbeta promoter contains several putative cis-acting elements, many of which are also found in the mouse ERalpha promoter. Therefore, the expression of both ERs may be partially regulated by a common mechanism. Luciferase assays revealed that the mERbeta promoter activity paralleled the endogenous expression levels of mERbeta in several cell lines. Successive 5'-deletion analyses showed that element(s) critical for its basal activity and negative regulatory element(s) are located in the sequences -90/+33 and -505/-372, respectively. The characterization of the mERbeta promoter will allow further studies to investigate the transcriptional regulation of mERbeta.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Surgical treatment for abdominal neuroblastoma in the laparoscopic era.
BACKGROUND: The role of laparoscopy in children with cancer has not been fully defined. The aims of this study were to develop an optimal surgical procedure for the treatment of abdominal neuroblastoma in the laparoscopic era and to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of laparoscopy in the pediatric population. METHODS: Since July 1997, 37 children were diagnosed with abdominal neuroblastoma at our center, and 44 surgical procedures were performed on them. Patients with advanced neuroblastoma underwent laparoscopic biopsy, open biopsy, and delayed primary or second-look excision, whereas early neuroblastoma cases had either laparoscopic or open excision. We compared the length of the operation, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay, complications, and time to start postoperative feeding and chemotherapy for the laparoscopic and open surgery groups. RESULTS: Length of stay and time to postoperative feeding and chemotherapy were significantly lower in the laparoscopic group than the open surgery group. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in length of operation and intraoperative blood loss. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic biopsy and excision of abdominal neuroblastoma are effective and efficient surgical procedures in children.
Abdominal Neoplasms↗
Regional alterations of myocardial norepinephrine transporter density in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: implications for heterogeneous cardiac accumulation of MIBG in diabetes.
Cardiac scintigraphic studies using iodine-123 labeled metaiodobenzylguanidine ([123I]MIBG) have previously demonstrated the heterogeneous myocardial accumulation of radioactivity in diabetes. In this study, we investigated the myocardial regional distribution of [125I]MIBG and the effects of regional myocardial blood flow, myocardial norepinephrine (NE) content, and norepinephrine transporter (NET) function on regional [125I]MIBG accumulation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic (STZ-D) rats. Dual-isotope autoradiographic studies using [125I]MIBG and technetium-99m labeled hexakis (2-methoxy-2-isobutylisonitrile) (99mTc-MIBI), a tracer for the measurement of myocardial blood flow, were carried out to investigate the changes in regional myocardial blood flow in STZ-D rats. Uptake of [125I]MIBG was similar between the anterior wall and the inferior wall in control rats. On the other hand, in STZ-D rats, uptake of [125I]MIBG in the inferior wall was significantly less than that in the anterior wall. Uptake of 99mTc-MIBI was not significantly different between the anterior and inferior walls in control or STZ-D rats, indicating that myocardial blood flow did not change regionally in either control or STZ-D rats, and that the blood flow was not responsible for the heterogeneity of the distribution of [125I]MIBG in STZ-D rats. In STZ-D rats, cardiac NE concentrations determined using an HPLC-electrochemical detection (ECD) system were significantly increased in both the anterior and the inferior wall, although there was no significant difference in NE concentration between the anterior and inferior walls in control or STZ-D rats. Furthermore, the density and affinity of NET were investigated by studying the binding of [3H]desipramine to cardiac membranes. The Bmax values of the NET in the anterior wall were not significantly different between control and STZ-D rats, but the Bmax value of the NET in the inferior wall was significantly lower in STZ-D rats than in controls. In conclusion, myocardial MIBG uptake was reduced in the inferior wall of STZ-D rats compared with control rats; this decrease was correlated with the decrease in NET density, but was not dependent on the regional myocardial blood flow and NE concentration. These results suggest that regional fluctuations in NET levels in the inferior wall contribute to heterogeneous MIBG accumulation in diabetes.
3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗
An ocular cat-scratch disease patient positive for cytoplasmic anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody.
BACKGROUND: We report a case of ocular cat-scratch disease with permanent vision reduction in a patient who was cytoplasmic anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (C-ANCA) positive. METHODS: Case report and review of the literature. RESULTS: While taking steroids and antibiotics, a 52-year-old man with uveitis associated with cat-scratch disease developed retinal vein occlusion and a macular exudate. His final visual acuity was poor because of residual macular degeneration and optic atrophy. Serum C-ANCA increased and decreased in parallel with ocular inflammatory activity. CONCLUSION: C-ANCA is an indicator of vasculitis and may be useful as an indicator of severe cat-scratch disease.
Ampicillin↗
A PCR-ELISA assay for the detection of disseminated osteosarcoma cells in a mouse metastatic model.
Circulating tumor cells in the blood play a central role in the metastatic process. There have been no reports describing the relationship between lung metastasis and circulating osteosarcoma cells. We developed a system with a polymerase chain reaction assay based on an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (PCR-ELISA) to detect circulating osteosarcoma cells in a mouse metastatic model. Osf2/Cbfa1, hereafter called Osf2, a member of the runt family of transcription factors, was used as a target gene. One splicing variant of Osf2 mRNA was identified and its expression was restricted to the bones and osteosarcomas. The amount of the splicing variant of Osf2 mRNA was significantly higher in the blood of mice with metastasis than in the blood of the control group. The PCR-ELISA using Osf2 mRNA is a potential method to detect circulating osteosarcoma cells in peripheral blood.
Alternative Splicing↗
A case of multiple sclerosis with granulomatous uveitis in Japan--use of the antilipoarabinomannan (LAM)-B test in differential diagnosis.
PURPOSE: To report a patient with multiple sclerosis and associated with granulomatous uveitis, and how anti-lipoarabinomannan (LAM)-B antibody can play a key role in differential diagnosis. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 35-year-old Japanese woman with multiple sclerosis, diagnosed 3 years ago, presented with blurred vision in her left eye. Ophthalmological examinations revealed granulomatous iridocyclitis in her left eye and retinal periphlebitis in both eyes. The diagnosis of tuberculosis was suspected because of a positive tuberculin skin test. However, a further examination by an anti-LAM-B antibody test excluded active tuberculosis. Her clinical findings were thought most likely to be caused by multiple sclerosis and treated with corticosteroids. CONCLUSION: We should consider the possibility of multiple sclerosis as the underlying origin in patients with granulomatous uveitis. A measurement of anti-LAM-B antibody titer may be useful in the differential diagnosis of granulomatous uveitis.
Administration, Topical↗
Effectiveness of dynamic MRI for diagnosing pericicatricial minimal residual breast cancer following excisional biopsy.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of dynamic MRI for diagnosing pericicatricial minimal residual breast cancer following excisional biopsy. Twenty-six patients who underwent excisional biopsy of a tumor or calcified lesion of the breast underwent gadolinium-enhanced dynamic MRI by the fat-saturated 2D fast spoiled gradient echo (SPGR) sequence (group 1), 24 patients by the spectral IR enhanced 3D fast gradient echo (Efgre3d) sequence (group 2). Pericicatricial residual cancer was confirmed histologically in 29 of the 50 patients. The overall sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of MRI for residual cancer diagnosis was 66, 81, 72, 83 and 63%. A nodular, thick and discontinuous enhanced rim around the scar is indicative of a residual tumor. However, false-positive findings due to granulation or proliferative fibrocystic change remain limitations.
Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗
Femtosecond near-field scanning optical microscopy study of molecular thin films.
A near-field scanning optical microscope has been combined with a two-colour time-resolved pump-probe measurement system. It has a noise-equivalent transmittance change of 5.0 x 10-5 for a probe pulse with an intensity of 30 nW. The system has been used for evaluating molecular thin films that have a domain structure, particularly for observing a gate action of the single domains. The results include key features to understand an origin of the domains and suggest that the film composition is uniform over a distance of several micrometres.
Journal Article↗
Highly suspected case of FAPA (periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and adenitis) syndrome.
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Child↗
Microscopic hematuria as a screening marker for urinary tract malignancies.
BACKGROUND: Although a mass screening urinalysis is a widely accepted procedure, it has not yet been shown if microhematuria is an appropriate and useful screening marker for urologic malignancies. METHODS: (1) The incidence of hematuria was studied in 113 patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), 185 with bladder carcinoma and 51 with renal pelvic or ureteral carcinoma. The association of the T stage with the intensity of hematuria in each malignancy was also examined. (2) In 823 asymptomatic adults with microhematuria, the prevalence of these malignancies was studied retrospectively to find the positive predictive value (PPV). RESULTS: (1) The incidence of hematuria was 35% for RCC, including gross and microhematuria. Advanced RCC (T3 and T4) were diagnosed more frequently in the gross hematuria group than in the microhematuria and no hematuria groups. In contrast, the incidence of hematuria was 94% for urothelial carcinomas either in the upper urinary tract or in the bladder. There was no significant difference in the T stage nor grade between the gross hematuria group and the microhematuria group. (2) Regarding asymptomatic microhematuria, the PPV was 1.7% (14 cases) for bladder carcinoma, 0.4% (3 cases) for ureteral/renal pelvic carcinoma and 0.2% (2 cases) for RCC. In men aged 50 years or older, PPV was 6.2% for urothelial carcinomas. In 14 cases of bladder carcinoma, 3 cases showed muscle invasion. CONCLUSIONS: Microhematuria is an appropriate screening marker for urothelial carcinomas, particularly in elderly men, but not for RCC. However, it is unlikely that a mass screening urinalysis using a single voided urine sample would contribute to earlier detection of bladder carcinoma.
Adult↗