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H Sakai

Publications and source records attributed to H Sakai.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Breath alcohol concentrations in Japanese outpatients following paclitaxel and docetaxel infusion.

Patients receiving paclitaxel or docetaxel also receive a significant amount of ethanol, as both products contain ethanol as solvent. Patients in our clinics have occasionally exhibited signs of alcohol intoxication immediately after paclitaxel infusion. In 2002, the Japanese government lowered the minimum ethanol concentration for the definition of drunk driving, with the threshold breath alcohol concentration (BRAC) of 0.15 mg/l. The aim of this study was to measure BRAC in Japanese outpatients treated with paclitaxel or docetaxel and to assess intoxication according to this standard. Fifty-two Japanese patients were enrolled from October 2003 to February 2004. Patient characteristics were as follows: male/female, 13/39: median age, 71 (range: 34-78); breast/lung/ovarian cancer 24/16/12; and paclitaxel/docetaxel treatment: 36/16, respectively. The mean total doses of paclitaxel or docetaxel were 178 mg (range: 107-300) and 53 mg (30-100), respectively. Breath samples were measured three times immediately following the infusion of paclitaxel or docetaxel via ethyl alcohol detector and the mean value was recorded. BRAC was detected in 20 patients (56%) with paclitaxel and in none of the docetaxel patients. BRAC was measured again 30 min after the initial measurement in BRAC-detected cases with the patients' permission. In four of six BRAC-remeasured patients, BRAC became undetectable after 30 min. There was no correlation between the total doses of paclitaxel and BRAC or between the infusion rates of paclitaxel and BRAC. In conclusion, clinicians should recognize the potential for alcohol intoxication with paclitaxel administration. Patients should be instructed to avoid driving on the day of paclitaxel administration.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Pituitary-gonadal axis and secondary sex characters in the spontaneously masculinized pintail, Anas acuta (Anatidae, Aves), with special regard to the gonadotrophs.

This paper describes some aspects of the pituitary gland, gonads, and secondary sex characters of unusual pintails, Anas acuta, found in the wild. They were demonstrated to be females with partially masculinized plumage; i.e., their plumage showed various degrees of intersex, but the genital organs, syrinx, and electrophoretic pattern of sex-specific DNA were of the female type. Their left ovary underwent a marked involution and was associated with the mesonephros (the Wolffian body), as was the degenerated right ovary. Neither testicular tissue nor ovotestis was found in the gonad of either side. The oviduct was anatomically normal and comparable to that of the control adult. The plasma concentration of estradiol-17beta (E2) was shown to be 5.7+/-0.5 (mean+/-SE)pg/ml in the masculinized birds, 7.0+/-0.7 pg/ml in control males, and 22.5+/-6.1 pg/ml in control females, whereas plasma testosterone (T) was below the detection level in all of the samples. As to the pituitary gland, hypertrophy and/or deformity of the pars distalis was evident in the majority of the masculinized birds. Among others, hyperactive gonadotrophs, mainly luteinizing hormone (LH)- and LH/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-immunoreactive cells, were prominent in the entire gland; and typical signet ring cells (castration cells) or giant gonadotrophs were frequently observed. These changes in the gonadotrophs may have been caused by a feedback response to the physiologically ovariectomized condition in the masculinized birds. Causal factor(s) of the ovarian degeneration remain to be further investigated.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Imaging intracranial haemangiopericytomas: study of seven cases.

Imaging features of intracranial haemangiopericytomas are similar to those of meningiomas. Preoperative identification of these tumours is important because of their aggressive nature, high rate of local recurrence and propensity for late metastasis. We reviewed the CT, MRI and angiographic findings in seven pathologically proved haemangiopericytomas, to determine if imaging characteristics might distinguish them from meningiomas. None showed hyperostosis or tumour calcification. All showed marked enhancement. Five had prominent internal signal voids, suggesting feeding arteries. On angiography, one had only pial-cortical supply but six also had meningeal supply; all showed a persistent stain. Only one had multiple "corkscrew" feeding vessels.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Sore throat and hoarseness after total intravenous anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Sore throat and hoarseness are common complications, but these have not been studied after total i.v. anaesthesia. METHODS: We prospectively studied 418 surgical patients, aged 15-92 yr, after total i.v. anaesthesia with propofol, fentanyl and ketamine to assess possible factors associated with sore throat and hoarseness. RESULT: We found sore throat in 50% and hoarseness in 55% of patients immediately after surgery. This decreased to 25% for sore throat and 24% for hoarseness on the day after surgery. Both sore throat and hoarseness were more common in females and when lidocaine spray had been used. Cricoid pressure during laryngoscopy was inversely associated with the risk of sore throat. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of these factors may reduce postoperative throat complications, and improve patient satisfaction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Achievement of ultralow emittance beam in the accelerator test facility damping ring.

For high luminosity in electron-positron linear colliders, it is essential to generate low vertical emittance beams. We report on the smallest vertical emittance achieved in single-bunch-mode operation of the Accelerator Test Facility, which satisfies the requirement of the x-band linear collider. The emittances were measured with a laser-wire beam-profile monitor installed in the damping ring. The bunch length and the momentum spread of the beam were also recorded under the same conditions. The smallest vertical rms emittance measured at low intensity is 4 pm at a beam energy of 1.3 GeV, which corresponds to the normalized emittance of 1.0x1.0(-8) m. It increases by a factor of 1.5 for a bunch intensity of 10(10) electrons. The measured data agreed to the calculation of intrabeam scattering within much better than a factor of 2.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Hyperresponsiveness of bronchial but not tracheal smooth muscle in a murine model of allergic bronchial asthma.

OBJECTIVE: To determine a change in airway smooth muscle contractility in a murine model of allergic asthma, the responsiveness of airway smooth muscles isolated from ovalbumin (OA)-sensitized and -challenged mice was compared with that from control animals. METHODS: Actively sensitized mice were repeatedly challenged by ovalbumin (OA) antigen inhalation. Twenty-four h after the last antigen challenge, tracheal and bronchial smooth muscle responsiveness to acetylcholine (ACh) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were measured. Airway microvascular leakage and histochemistry were also determined as indices of airway inflammation. RESULTS: Both the ACh and ET-1 responsiveness of bronchial, but not tracheal, smooth muscles were significantly augmented in OA-challenged mice, whereas no significant change in the expression levels of M2, M3 and ETB receptors was observed. The Evans blue dye extravasation in the main bronchial, but not tracheal, tissue of OA-challenged mice was significantly increased as compared with that of sensitized control animals. A marked inflammatory cells infiltration was also observed in bronchial but not tracheal tissues of OA-challenged mice. CONCLUSION: Repeated antigen challenge to sensitized mice caused a hyperresponsiveness of bronchial, but not tracheal, smooth muscle accompanied with bronchial tissue inflammation.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed2004

Assessment of proliferative potentials of canine osteosarcomas and chondrosarcomas by MIB-1 immunohistochemistry and bromodeoxyuridine incorporation.

The proliferative potential of 17 canine osteosarcomas (OSs) (13 osteoblastic, two anaplastic, one fibroblastic and one chondroblastic), 18 chondrosarcomas (CSs) (13 mesenchymal and five ordinary), three osteomas, and one chondroma was evaluated immunohistochemically by labelling Ki-67 antigen with MIB-1 antibody, and incorporated bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) with anti-BrdU antibody. The location of BrdU-positive cells in OSs and CSs was similar to that of MIB-1 positive cells, and the mean value of the BrdU labelling index (BrdU LI) and the MIB-1 positive index (MIB-1 PI) in each case were significantly correlated (rs = 0.942, P < 0.05 with Spearman rank correlation coefficient; r = 0.779 P < 0.05 with linear regression analysis). The mean MIB-1 PI of OSs was 29.5%, which was approximately 2.5 times that of CSs, and the highest MIB-1 PI was 34.8% +/- 1.8 S.E.M. in areas without osteoid. In CS cases, the survival rate after 24 months was significantly higher than in OS cases. The high MIB-1 PI therefore supports the view that OSs are clinically more aggressive than CSs in dogs. On the other hand, the highest MIB-1 PI values of mesenchymal CS components occurred in transitional areas, which were composed of poorly differentiated cells embedded in a myxomatous matrix between the chondroidal and mesenchymal regions. The MIB-1 PI was 21.3% +/- 3.0 S.E.M. P < 0.001 in transitional areas. Proliferative markers may be useful in diagnosis and prognosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Effective application of ET-Kyoto solution for clinical lung transplantation.

The shortage of lung donors and ischemia-reperfusion injury following transplantation have been grave problems in lung transplantation (LTx). One of the most important strategies to solve these problems is the development of effective and highly reliable methods for lung preservation. Therefore, we developed a new organ preservation solution, namely, the extracellular-type trehalose-containing Kyoto (ET-Kyoto) solution. Here we report the first experience of clinical application of ET-Kyoto solution for cadaveric LTx. The recipient was a 38-year-old man with pulmonary emphysema. The donor was a 51-year-old male current smoker with a smoking history of 62 pack-years. The ventilated donor's PaO(2) was 340 Torr (FiO(2) = 1.0). The pulmonary vasculature was flushed with ET-Kyoto solution supplemented with nitroglycerine and dibutyryl cAMP. The recipient underwent bilateral sequential LTx on cardiopulmonary bypass. The ischemic time was 544 and 613 minutes for the left and right lung, respectively. PaO(2) (FiO(2) = 1.0) was 385 Torr immediately after reperfusion. The donor lung was so large that bilateral partial resections were performed at 413 minutes (right) and 348 minutes (left) after reperfusion. On histopathologic examination of the resected transplanted lungs the structure was almost normal. Postoperatively, PaO(2) (FiO(2) = 1.0) was over 400 Torr with or maximum of 526 Torr. The clinical course was almost uneventful. In conclusion, ET-Kyoto solution may be safely applied in clinical cadaveric LTx with extended donor lungs and relatively long ischemic times. Functional and histopathological efficiency of ET-Kyoto solution was confirmed. Longer preservation times with preserved quality using ET-Kyoto solution would increase the donor pool and enable semielective LTx.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

In situ expression of RANKL, RANK, osteoprotegerin and cytokines in osteoclasts of rat periodontal tissue.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the in situ expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL), receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB (RANK), osteoprotegerin, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) in the osteoclasts of rat periodontal tissue. BACKGROUND: In periodontal disease, osteoclasts cause resorption of the alveolar bone. The function of osteoclasts is regulated by interaction with periodontal ligament cells (PDLs). Furthermore, various kinds of molecules such as RANKL, RANK, osteoprotegerin, IL-1beta and TNFalpha are known to be related to the osteoclasts differentiation and function. It is therefore important to observe the expression of RANKL, RANK, osteoprotegerin and cytokines in osteoclasts and PDLs. METHODS: Four-week-old Wistar rats were used. Tooth movement was performed by the Waldo method, and the pathological bone resorption was induced. The demineralized maxillae and mandiblae were embedded with paraffin. In situ hybridization was performed to detect RANKL, RANK, osteoprotegerin, IL-1beta, and TNFalpha mRNAs in osteoclasts and other cells using the specific RNA probes, respectively. RESULTS: Both RANKL and RANK were concomitantly expressed in some osteoclasts. RANKL was also positive in osteoblasts and PDLs. No IL-1beta- and TNFalpha-positive osteoclast was noted. The positive signals of osteoprotegerin were detected in almost all osteoblasts, PDLs and odontoblasts. No osteoprotegerin-positive osteoclasts were observed. The number and the distribution pattern of RANKL- and RANK-expressing osteoclasts changed when orthodontic excessive force was applied to periodontal tissue. In addition, IL-1beta and TNFalpha were shown to be expressed in osteoclasts under pathological status. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that an autocrine mechanism of RANKL-RANK exists in osteoclast, which is heightened in the pathological conditions. Furthermore, the autocrine mechanism of IL-1beta and TNFalpha is also provided in osteoclast under pathological condition. These autocrine mechanisms therefore seem to regulate the osteoclast function in both physiological and pathological conditions.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Simultaneous detection of Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci in positive blood cultures by real-time PCR with two fluorescence resonance energy transfer probe sets.

A real-time PCR assay that uses two fluorescence resonance energy transfer probe sets and targets the tuf gene of staphylococci is described here. One probe set detects the Staphylococcus genus, whereas the other probe set is specific for Staphylococcus aureus. One hundred thirty-eight cultured isolates, which contained 41 isolates of staphylococci representing at least nine species, and 100 positive blood cultures that contained gram-positive cocci in clusters were tested. This assay was 100% sensitive and 100% specific for the detection of the Staphylococcus genus and of S. aureus.

Blood↗
PubMed2004

PDX1 homeobox protein expression in pseudopyloric glands and gastric carcinomas.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Although it has been reported that intestinal metaplasia implicated in gastric carcinogenesis is induced by the ParaHox gene CDX2, it is unclear which genes are responsible for the formation of pseudopyloric glands and whether they play a role in gastric carcinogenesis. Pancreatic-duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1) is also a ParaHox gene which contributes to the genesis and development of the pancreas, duodenum, and antrum. To clarify its significance for the formation of pseudopyloric glands and gastric carcinogenesis, we investigated expression of PDX1 and mucin in gastric carcinomas and surrounding mucosa. METHODS: Gastric carcinoma tissues from 95 patients were used for immunohistochemical analyses of PDX1, and mucins MUC6 and MUC5AC. RESULTS: PDX1 was found to be frequently expressed in pseudopyloric glands and intestinal metaplasia. MUC6 was more abundant than MUC5AC in pseudopyloric glands while higher levels of MUC5AC than MUC6 were evident in intestinal metaplasia. The frequency of PDX1 positive reactivity was higher in differentiated type carcinomas (39/43, 90.7%) and T1 carcinomas (42/43, 97.7%) than in undifferentiated type (33/52, 63.5%) and T2-4 (30/52, 57.7%) carcinomas. PDX1 and MUC6 double positive expression was observed in carcinomas, respectively, including the corpus, and also correlated with histological type and depth of invasion. In contrast, no link was apparent between PDX1 and MUC5AC double positive reactivity and histological type. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that PDX1 plays an important role in the development of pseudopyloric glands, and that pseudopyloric glands may reflect a condition associated with gastric carcinogenesis.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Extensive search for discriminative features of alternative splicing.

Alternative pre-mRNA splicing events can be classified into various types, including cassette, mutually exclusive, alternative 3' splice site, alternative 5' splice site, retained intron. The detection of features of a particular type of alternative splicing events is an important and challenging problem in understanding the mechanism of alternative splicing. In this paper, we consider the problem of finding regulatory sequence patterns, which are specific to a particular type of alternative splicing events, on alternative exons and their flanking introns. For this problem, we have designed various pattern features and evaluated them on the alternative splicing data compiled in Lee's ASAP (Alternative Splicing Annotation Project) database. Through our work, we have succeeded in finding features with practically high accuracies.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed2004

Expression of myogenic regulating factors, Myogenin and MyoD, in two canine botryoid rhabdomyosarcomas.

Myogenin and MyoD regulate the development of skeletal muscle, and their expressions are specific to the stages of myogenesis. Therefore, these myogenic regulatory proteins could be considered as sensitive and specific markers for rhabdomyosarcoma. In this report we investigated the immunohistochemical reactivities of myogenin and MyoD in two canine bladder botryoid rhabdomyosarcomas that were different in the degree of differentiation. MyoD was stained in the Ki-67 antigen-positive undifferentiated mesenchymal cells, which had proliferative activity similar to myoblasts differentiated from mesoblasts. In contrast, multinucleated neoplastic cells were positive for myogenin and alpha-sarcomeric actin but not for Ki-67 antigen, similar to the myotubes differentiated from myoblastic cells. The expressions of myogenin and MyoD were closely correlated to the histologic features of myogenic neoplastic cells.

Actins↗
PubMed2003

Lattice-based random jammed configurations for hard particles.

A nontrivial subset of the jammed packings for rigid disks and spheres are those that can be obtained by sequential removal of particles from periodic crystalline arrays. This paper considers the enumeration problems presented by such packings that are based on the close-packed triangular disk lattice, and the face-centered and body-centered cubic sphere lattices. Three distinct categories of packings have been distinguished, depending on their behavior with respect to nonoverlap geometric constraints and/or externally imposed virtual displacements: locally jammed, collectively jammed, and strictly jammed. Each of these possesses an upper limiting vacancy concentration beyond which no packings of the types considered can exist. For each of the three lattices, specific vacancy clusters have been identified whose presence would destroy local jamming, and some of the corresponding patterns that would destroy collective jamming in the triangular disk lattice have also been found. Within the allowable range of vacancy concentration for each case, the number of distinct jammed packings is expected to rise exponentially with system size. By using the concept of local attrition factors, approximate enumerations have been constructed for the three lattice classes of locally jammed packings. In the interests of later extension of this work, we stress that at least some aspects of these enumeration problems might benefit from the formal transcription to a lattice-gas/Ising-model representation with vacancy interactions chosen to enforce the packing category of interest.

Journal Article↗