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Biomedical subjects

H Makuuchi

Publications and source records attributed to H Makuuchi.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

A novel weekday-on/weekend-off UFT schedule.

In a step toward a clinical trial, the tumor response and survival of a weekday-on/weekend-off schedule of UFT was compared with its conventional daily schedule in a cancer-bearing rat model. The dose-intensive schedule--600 mg of UFT for 5 days followed by 2 drug-free days--amounts to a weekly dose similar to the conventional schedule of 400 mg/day. The weekday-on/weekend-off schedule provided increased survival and significantly greater antitumor activity than the conventional daily schedule, with no difference in adverse reactions. A study was also conducted in human subjects to measure fluorouracil (5-FU) concentrations that identified the pharmacokinetic activity during the 2 drug-free days of the weekday-on/weekend-off schedule. The plasma 5-FU concentration declined markedly after 24 hours, but the concentration in the tumor remained at a relatively high level after 2 days off the drug. A one-year clinical study evaluated the compliance and toxicity of the weekday-on/weekend-off UFT schedule as adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. Based on the findings of all these studies, the weekday-on/weekend-off schedule for UFT as adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer can be recommended for a clinical trial.

Administration, Oral↗

[Day surgery for pediatric inguinal hernia repair].

Pediatric patients with inguinal hernia can be good candidates for day surgery. Since 1986, 1273 such patients have been treated under our day surgery system. Although 8 patients (0.6%) were unable to go home after surgery due to perioperative complications and 21 (1.6%) visited earlier than scheduled after discharge, no major complications were noted and postoperative complications did not differ from those seen in the inpatient setting. Our questionnaire survey demonstrated that 96% of the families were satisfied with the system. Based on our own experience and a literature review of day surgery for inguinal hernia repair in children, the problems surrounding the day care system are discussed. Patient selection, preoperative assessment, general anesthesia, postoperative care including oral intake and analgesia, and postoperative follow-up are considered the most important issues in the day care system. A team approach including pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists, and pediatric nurses is considered indispensable for the safe and satisfactory day surgery treatment.

Ambulatory Surgical Procedures↗

[Optimal dosage of UFT in a weekday-on/weekend-off schedule as a postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer].

In evaluations of adjuvant chemotherapy with oral anticancer agents, compliance in taking the drug as prescribed (compliance), adverse reactions, and feasibility are important factors in setting the dose. A weekday-on/weekend-off schedule, in which 600 mg/day of UFT was taken for 5 consecutive days and not taken on the following 2 days, was carried out as a postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for one year in 87 patients with colorectal cancer who had undergone potentially curative resection. The prescribed dose and the dose of ingestion confirmed by physician interview were both highly consistent with the dose of ingestion according to the patients' self reports, with consistency rates of more than 94% for both. Relative performance (RP) yielded a value of 0.72, and individual dose intensity (IDI) yielded 0.8 on average. Female gender, low body weight, and low body surface area were factors that negatively affected feasibility. None of the adverse reactions was serious. Based on the feasibility and adverse reactions, the dosage of UFT should be set according to the body surface area at 375-425 mg/m2/day. When this schedule is used as one arm of a controlled study, it is suggested that the dose should be decided with 400 mg/m2 as a guideline.

Adult↗

Simultaneous treatment of multiple primary cancers of the oral cavity and other sites.

Multiple primary cancers are not uncommon in the head and neck region. Since the time for treatment will be prolonged if each lesion is treated separately, simultaneous treatment of the cancers is preferred to ensure complete remission of lesions and increased survival of patients. In this paper, the efficacy of combined treatment was evaluated in 9 patients with oral cancers and concurrent cancers in other sites. The mean age of the patients was 54 years (range 44 to 66). The tongue (8) and mandible (1) were the sites of involvement. Concurrent cancers were found most often in the esophagus, followed by stomach and lung. Histologically, 7 lesions were diagnosed as squamous cell carcinomas. All oral cancers were treated by surgery. Neck dissection and simultaneous reconstruction were performed in 5 patients. In addition, concurrent cancers were treated simultaneously by endoscopic mucosal resection in 2 patients and radical resection followed by immediate reconstruction in 6 other patients. However, simultaneous surgical treatment of all lesions could not be performed in an individual with 3 cancers. The time of surgery ranged from 23 minutes to 17 hours and 30 minutes. With the exception of 2 patients who died of postoperative complications and had needed treatment for dysphasia, all patients were discharged after 1 to 2 months. Four of the patients are still alive 2 years and 6 months after surgery. These results indicate that simultaneous treatment is effective in selected cases of multiple cancers.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Evaluation of a surgical gamma probe for detection of 18F-FDG.

Because fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) is an excellent tumor-localizing radio-pharmaceutical, a hand-held radiation detection probe capable of localizing an area with high 18F-FDG uptake would make radioguided surgery possible. In this laboratory study, we investigated the capability of a widely used intraoperative gamma probe with a cadmium zinc telluride (CdZnTe) detector for detection of 18F-FDG. For sensitivity tests, an 0.1- ml 18F-FDG preparation was made to act as a point source with radioactivities of 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0micro Ci (37 kBq, 74 kBq, 111 kBq). Relative transmission across the side wall of the probe and sensitivity at each source-to-probe distance were measured. For simulation studies, 2 l of 18F-FDG solution (0.02micro Ci, 0.74 kBq/ml) served as normal background. One ml of 18F-FDG was prepared to simulate tumors with radioactivities of 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4micro Ci (1.85 kBq, 3.7 kBq, 17.4 kBq, and 14.8 kBq). The ratios of the radioactive concentration of tumor to that of the background were 2.5, 5, 10, and 20:1, respectively. The tested gamma probe was shown to be sensitive to 18F. The high-energy annihilation radiation was detected from the side wall of the probe despite application of a supplementary collimator. The count rate decreased markedly as the source-to-probe distance increased, owing to the effects of the inverse-square law. In the simulation studies, the probe detected a considerable amount of background activity. However, the measured count rate increased with the increasing source-to-background ratio. In our setting, the probe was capable of distinguishing the 18F-FDG source from the background when the source-to-background ratio was no less than 5:1. To make a surgical application feasible, however, collimation or shielding against high background radiation is necessary.

Fluorodeoxyglucose F18↗

Endoscopic mucosal resection for early gastric cancer.

Progress in the detection of early gastric cancer has made endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) possible for the treatment of gastric cancer instead of only conventional surgical resection. The most commonly employed modalities include strip biopsy, double snare polypectomy, and resection with combined use of highly concentrated saline and epinephrine, and resection using a cap. The indications should be strictly limited to the differentiated IIa type (the slightly elevated type) that is smaller than 2 cm, or the differentiated IIc type (slightly depressed type) without ulcer formation and smaller than 1 cm. Both of these entities are thought to have a negligible risk of lymph node metastasis. Prognosis after this treatment is comparable that of surgical resection for early gastric cancer in completely resected cases. EMR also permits local resection in elderly patients with various complications who would be at risk for conventional surgical operations. EMR should be encouraged for treatment of gastric cancer if the indications are strictly chosen.

Aged↗

Which technique, circular stapled anastomosis or double stapling anastomosis, provides the optimal size and shape of rectal anastomotic opening?

BACKGROUND: Two types of end-to-end colorectal anastomosis using a circular stapler, circular stapled anastomosis(CSA) and double stapling anastomosis(DSA), have become the standard technique. The possibility of anastomotic openings of the DSA being smaller and somewhat distorted, because of some portion of the stapled rectal stump not being included in the anastomotic opening, was examined. METHODS: Anastomotic openings created by CSA and DSA were photographed through a sigmoidoscope, and the maximal and minimal diameters and the areas of the anastomotic openings were measured and calculated with an image analyzer. They were examined in the swine rectum immediately after surgery and were also examined in the randomized clinical cases 3 or more months after surgery. RESULTS: It was found that larger anastomotic openings could be created as the diameter of the anastomosed intestine and the cartridge size became wider in both methods immediately after surgery. The shape of anastomotic opening created by DSA was observed to be more oval than round immediately after surgery. The anastomotic stenosis occurred in a small number of patients in both methods within 3 months after surgery. The area of the anastomotic opening created by CSA was about 25% larger than that by DSA immediately after surgery and about 30% larger 3 or more months after surgery. CONCLUSION: CSA provides a larger anastomotic opening than DSA. Anastomotic stenosis occurred in a small number of patients in both methods.

Aged↗

Vesicular blood flow after ligation of the internal iliac arteries in low anterior resection or abdominoperineal resection.

PURPOSE: Bilateral ligation of the internal iliac arteries has been reported to be a safe procedure in pelvic surgery because there are five collateral pathways. Some of the five pathways are surgically interrupted after resection of the rectum and two cases in which necrosis developed in the perineum were reported. The aim of the study was to assess the degree of safety and blood flow reducing efficacy of internal iliac artery ligation in rectal cancer surgery. METHODS: The subjects were 23 patients with advanced rectal cancer. Tissue blood flow on the surface of the bladder was measured using a laser Doppler flow meter when unilateral or bilateral internal iliac artery were clamped at a central site or at a peripheral site. RESULTS: Tissue blood flow of the bladder before clamping the internal iliac artery was 6 to 74 ml/min/100 g. Blood flow in the right half of the bladder decreased significantly when the right and both internal iliac arteries were clamped (both, P < 0.01), but it did not decrease significantly when only the left internal iliac artery was clamped. The results were the same whether the central site or peripheral site was clamped. When the central site was clamped, there was no difference between the decrease in blood flow in the right half of the bladder whether the right internal iliac artery was clamped or both internal iliac arteries were clamped. By contrast, when the peripheral site was clamped, the decrease in blood flow in the right half of the bladder was much greater when both internal iliac arteries were clamped than when the right internal iliac artery alone was clamped (P < 0.01). The results in the left half were the same as in the right half. Blood flow became 33 to 110 (mean, 73; median, 75) percent of the value before clamping when both internal iliac arteries were clamped at the central site, and 18 to 114 (mean, 52; median, 47) percent when both internal iliac arteries were clamped at the peripheral site. No changes in the color of the bladder or other pelvic organs were observed while the internal iliac arteries were clamped. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that bilateral internal iliac artery ligation causes a temporary decrease in blood flow to the pelvic organs, but the reduction is not great enough to induce necrosis histologically. We recommend the ligation of the internal iliac arteries at the point below the takeoff of the superior gluteal artery to gain a considerable blood flow reducing effect on the pelvic organs.

Aged↗

Peritoneal recurrence of colon cancer detected by positron emission tomography: report of a case.

Increased glucose metabolism has been reported to occur in association with colorectal cancer. As positron emission tomography (PET) using [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose is able to depict hypermetabolic sites, it can therefore be used to detect colorectal cancer. A 69-year-old male patient with a recurrent solitary liver metastasis from colon cancer underwent whole-body PET which revealed high [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in the lesion. Furthermore, PET revealed peritoneal metastases that had not been detected by conventional imaging methods. Consequently, PET proved useful in helping us to avoid performing unnecessary treatment for the liver metastasis. Although it is uncertain whether early identification of recurrence can prolong survival, it may help to prevent unnecessary treatments being carried out. Thus, the application of PET in carefully selected patients could be beneficial to the management of recurrent colorectal cancer.

Aged↗

Type I acute aortic dissection accompanied by ischemic enterocolitis due to blood flow insufficiency in the superior mesenteric artery.

We report a case of acute type I aortic dissection with ischemic enterocolitis due to blood flow insufficiency in the superior mesenteric artery. The patient was a 52-year-old man who visited the hospital with major complaints of sudden low back pain and melena. Mesenteric ischemia was suspected, and angiography revealed type I aortic dissection with accompanying blood flow insufficiency in the superior mesenteric artery. Because catheterization during angiography improved the blood flow disorder and prevented intestinal necrosis, it was possible to replace the ascending aorta with a prosthetic graft. Arterial pulsation in the mesentery was recovered by the operation and the patient's life was saved without bowel resection. This case demonstrates that prompt surgical or percutaneous relief of ischemia in major organs is important to save lives in the cases of acute aortic dissection with ischemic complications.

Acute Disease↗

An immunohistochemical and clinicopathological study of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Immunohistochemical and clinicopathological features of 58 gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) were studied. One occurred in the esophagus, 41 in the stomach, nine in the small intestine, and seven in the large intestine. By using indirect immunoperoxidase staining for Cajal cell markers (c-kit protein and CD34), smooth muscle markers (alpha-smooth muscle actin, desmin, heavy caldesmon and calponin) and Schwann cell markers (S-100 protein and Leu 7), GIST were classified into five groups, such as Cajal cell type (n = 9), myogenic type (n = 5), Schwann cell type (n = 2), mixed cell type (n = 40) and undifferentiated type (n = 2). c-kit Protein (42/58; 72%) and CD34 (45/58; 78%) were commonly and diffusely expressed in GIST. Novel smooth muscle markers, caldesmon (29/58; 50%) and calponin (18/58; 31%), were useful in detecting myogenic characters of GIST. S-100 protein was expressed in 16 (28%) tumors, two of which were also reactive with Leu 7 (CD57). Three small bowel tumors with skeinoid fibers expressed the Cajal cell markers, and were categorizable in GIST. Clinicopathological analyses using aggressive (n = 21) and non-aggressive (n = 21) GIST indicated that the malignant potential was correlated with the intestinal location, large tumor size, high cellularity, necrosis, solid (non-interlacing bundled) pattern of growth, negativity of c-kit protein and/or CD34, high mitotic count, and high MIB-1 labeling.

Antigens, CD34↗

Natural killer T cell ligand alpha-galactosylceramide inhibited lymph node metastasis of highly metastatic melanoma cells.

The role of natural killer T (NKT) cells in the prevention of multiple tumor metastasis was examined. The i.v. inoculation of a highly metastatic subline of B16-BL6 (B16-BL6-HM) melanoma cells resulted in the formation of metastatic nodules in lymph nodes in addition to lung, intrapleural cavity, and ovary. However, treatment of the mice with the NKT cell ligand alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) three times from 1 day after B16-BL6-HM melanoma inoculation caused a significant inhibition of multiple metastasis. Lymph node metastasis of B16-BL6-HM was almost completely blocked by alpha-GalCer treatment. This antimetastatic effect of alpha-GalCer was abolished in NKT cell-deficient mice. These results suggest that alpha-GalCer-activated NKT cells played a critical role in the prevention of lymph node metastasis of melanoma cells.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

A surgical treatment of infected pancreatic necrosis: retroperitoneal laparotomy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Due to the anatomical location of the pancreas, sufficient drainage of a pancreatic necrosis by laparotomy may be unsatisfactory. METHODS: CT and helical CT have provided extremely useful information on the surgical treatment of necrotic pancreatitis. The retroperitoneal approach (RPA) allows direct and complete removal of necrotic tissues. RESULTS: RPA was used to treat 8 patients with infected pancreatic necrosis. Excision of necrotic tissues was effective and could minimize the complications often associated with laparotomy such as bleeding and intestinal injuries. CONCLUSION: By CT and helical CT, three-dimensional images of pancreatic necrosis are obtained. These investigations have greatly facilitated RPA, which has advantages over laparotomy in the treatment of infected pancreatic necrosis.

Adult↗

Frequent expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas.

Nitric oxide (NO) plays important biological roles in cardiovascular, nervous and immune systems, and is synthesized by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Intracellular NO is known to cause DNA damage as a mutagen. We examined the expression of cytokine-inducible NOS (iNOS) in human esophageal squamous cell carcinomas. Weak iNOS immunoreactivity was seen in the basal and parabasal layers of non-neoplastic esophageal stratified squamous epithelium. iNOS expression was detected in 50 (87.7%) of the 57 esophageal squamous cell carcinomas, regardless of the depth of tumor invasion, histological differentiation and lymph node status. Early-stage cancers, i.e. mucosal squamous cell carcinomas, also showed significant iNOS expression. We speculate that increased iNOS expression is associated with the carcinogenesis of human esophageal cancer.

Adult↗