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H Sugano

Publications and source records attributed to H Sugano.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Factors affecting continuation of home medical care--based on the relationship between patient and caregiver status].

In recent years it has gradually become possible to have some control over the medical condition of the end-stage cancer patient. However, there are various problems involved in the continuation of home care. In order to clarify how the mutual relationship between patient and caregiver effects the continuation of home care, we conducted a study on 28 end-stage cancer patients who made the transition from our hospital to home care by means of our HOme Care Service. Using the Kaneda Assessment Score, we obtained information from patients' charts, added reasons for rehospitalizations and analyzed the data. The results showed that the group of patients who remained on home care, despite the fact that their condition was significantly poorer than that of the group who discontinued home care, showed a significantly higher proportion of "wishing to be cared for at home to the last," in the view of the caregiver, a joint commitment of the caregiver together with the family, and a suitable response to changes in the patient. As a direction for forthcoming support in this area, there is a need for sufficient assessment in order to evaluate the balance between caregiver and family. It was suggested that guidance in each case and the use of community resources will be very important.

Activities of Daily Living↗

[The effectiveness of discharge planning (DSP) in home care--comparison of conditions of cancer patient shifted to home treatment before and after DSP introduction].

We developed a discharge planning (DSP) procedure as a method to assess the family and cancer patient situation when making the shift to home care, and we herewith report its significance. DSP is intended to sustain the patient's quality of life (QOL) and improve it; for a smooth transition to treatment at home, the family and patient situation must be assessed from various perspectives. The prospective illness conditions, needed medical treatment and care should be appropriately planned, with due recognition of the roles to be played and the requisite pooling of professional information in order to handle emergencies and the like when such arise. In the present study, in order to clarify issues dealing with DSP effectiveness, we compared 34 patients on home care, 17 before DSP and 17 thereafter. The results indicated that following the introduction of DSP, the home care increased for patients with gastroenterological problems such as pain, general debilitation, poor appetite, constipation, diarrhea and the like and those impulsiveness, vomiting and mental symptoms overlapping. With the proper assessment at the time of the transition to home care, this care could be continued. Moreover, with patient satisfaction, there was the need for assessment over the course in order to evaluate treatment and care. In the days to come, there is the need to improve this approach with a scoring system in the evaluation.

Activities of Daily Living↗

"Hot spots" of chromium accumulation at bifurcations of chromate workers' bronchi.

To investigate the mechanisms underlying respiratory tract carcinogenesis in chromate workers, we measured the concentration of chromium in samples of tissues from 50 bronchial bifurcations and other bronchial tissue obtained at autopsy, or during surgical procedures, from 9 exchromate workers known to be at risk of developing lung cancer. The mean duration of exposure was 21 years and the average time between cessation of exposure and death/surgery was 15 years. The area of the tissue samples was measured by image analysis and the chromium concentration determined by neutron activation analysis. Chromium concentrations ranged from 0.04 to 39 x 10(-10) g/microns tissue thickness/mm2 and in 80% of the cases the concentrations were greater at bifurcations than in neighboring epithelial tissue. The mean concentration ratios between bifurcations and adjacent areas were 1.5 (n = 1) in the trachea, 3.0 (n = 9) in the main bronchi, 3.6 (n = 22) in lobar bronchi, and 10.9 (n = 3) in subsegmental bronchi. Our results demonstrated long-term retention of chromium in the bronchial walls of chromate workers and also that chromium concentrations were higher at airway bifurcations than elsewhere, thus providing solid evidence for a deposition "hot spot" concept.

Aged↗

[The effect of the odour of mother's milk and orange on the spectral power of EEG in infants].

Few studies have been found on the EEG responses to odours in infants. Most of the studies done regarding infants up until now have focused only on the psychological and behavioral reaction of infants to odours. The purpose of the present study is to investigate whether or not relative differences in EEG response are seen before and during the odour presentation of mother's milk and orange in infants, and if they do respond to these odours, are there any differences in the EEG responses? EEG responses to these two odours were studied in 11 healthy mixed fed infants aged from 3.3 to 4.2 months during sleep. Changes in the sleep stage 2 and slow wave sleep EEG's were analyzed by the fast Fourier transformation method. While the mother's milk was presented, a significant decrease in the amplitude of EEG was observed in the delta and theta bands in the bilateral frontal and central regions of the brain, but on orange odour presentation, an increase of delta bands was seen in the central and right parietal regions. Detailed statistical analysis (ANOVA) revealed that the EEG responses to the two odours were significantly different from each other in the delta and theta bands. The present results suggest that these two odours seem to cause a different psychophysiological change in infants.

Electroencephalography↗

Epstein-Barr-virus-associated medullary carcinomas with lymphoid infiltration of the stomach.

The association of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with gastric medullary carcinoma with lymphoid infiltration (GMCL) was investigated. The presence of GMCL exhibited a 2/1 male-to-female ratio and a 1/2 early-to-advanced cancer ratio, predominantly located in the cardia and corpus of the stomach (90%). The presence of EBV DNA could be proven in 28 out of 30 GMCL cases (93%) by the polymerase chain reaction method, and in 27 cases (90%) latent infection of EBV strictly limited to cancer cells was identified by in situ hybridization with RNA using an EBV-associated small RNAs (EBERs) probe. No histopathological difference was noted between EBERs-positive and -negative groups. Monoclonal EBV infection, identified by the length of lymphocyte-determined membrane antigen variable tandem repeats, was suggested in 19 out of 27 EBERs-positive cases (70.3%). However, only one case showed a positive reaction for anti-(latent membrane protein)-1 antibody, and none of the EBERs-positive cases bound anti-EBNA-2 antibodies, the respective antigens being considered oncoproteins directly linked with EBV-related B cell lymphomagenesis. In conclusion, while EBV is clearly present at extremely high incidence in GMCL, having characteristics biological features, a role for EBV in tumorigenesis of such lesions remains uncertain.

Antigens, Surface↗

Characteristics of chromate workers' cancers, chromium lung deposition and precancerous bronchial lesions: an autopsy study.

The characteristics of lung cancers induced by inhaled chromate were studied in 13 consecutive autopsies on male ex-chromate workers. In addition to histopathology, we examined: (1) the relationship between the occurrence of lung cancer and the amount of chromium (Cr) deposited in the lung as determined by atomic absorptiometry and (2) the chronological changes in five precancerous lung lesions followed by bronchoscopy till death. Twenty-one cancers were identified, including 16 lung tumours observed either during follow-up or at autopsy. Of these 16 tumours, 13 were found in six subjects, implying a high frequency of multiple cancers. Eleven (69%) out of the 16 tumours were of squamous cell type (including carcinoma in situ), this being twice as frequent as in age-matched controls. A further characteristic was predominance in the central part of lung (69%). The lung Cr burden was very much higher [40-15,800 micrograms g-1 (dry)] in patients with lung tumours than in those without (8-28 micrograms g-1). Five of the precancerous lesions followed by bronchoscopy originated at bronchial bifurcations. Four of these cases showed a return to normal histology at autopsy even without therapy, and the other did not progress.

Aged↗

Rheumatoid-susceptible alleles of HLA-DRB1 are genetically recessive to non-susceptible alleles in the progression of bone destruction in the wrists and fingers of patients with RA.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between HLA-DRB1 genotypes and the progression of bone destruction in Japanese patients with RA. METHODS: The HLA-DRB1 alleles were determined by polymerase chain reaction and allele specific oligonucleotide probe techniques in 160 Japanese patients with RA. HLA-DR 0101, 0401, 0404, 0405, 1001 and 1402 were regarded as susceptible alleles of RA according to previous reports. Patients were classified into three groups (S/S, S/N and N/N group), based on the possession of two, one or no susceptible factor. The grading of radio-graphic changes in the wrists and fingers were evaluated by Larsen's criteria. The radiographic grades were first compared with the results of genotyping in the 160 cross sectional cases. A retrospective study was then conducted on a subgroup consisting of 57 cases taken from the 160 cases used for the cross sectional study. RESULTS: In the scatter diagram of the 160 cross sectional cases expressing the relationship between the stage of bone destruction and duration of RA, the regression line and the 95% confidence intervals separated the S/S group from the S/N and N/N groups in the early phase of development of bone destruction. In the retrospective study on the 57 cases the median years taken to development to stage V in the wrists after the onset of symptoms were 13.1 in the patients in the S/S group, 22.7 in the S/N group and 23.0 in the N/N group. The difference observed between the S/S and S/N group, and between the S/S and N/N group were statistically significant (p < 0.01), but that between the S/N and N/N groups was not. Thus the bone destruction in the wrists and fingers progressed more rapidly in the S/S group than in the S/N and N/N groups; and the rheumatoid susceptible alleles of HLA-DRB1 can be considered to be genetically recessive to the non-susceptible alleles in the progression of bone destructions in the wrists and fingers. CONCLUSION: Genotyping of HLA-DRB1 can be a useful prognostic marker in the early phase of RA.

Adult↗

Ribosome-binding protein p34 is a member of the leucine-rich-repeat-protein superfamily.

Protein p34 is a non-glycosylated membrane protein characteristic of rough microsomes and is believed to play a role in the ribosome-membrane association. In the present study we isolated cDNA encoding p34 from a rat liver cDNA library and determined its complete amino acid sequence. p34 mRNA is 3.2 kb long and encodes a polypeptide of 307 amino acids with a molecular mass of about 34.9 kDa. Primary sequence analysis, coupled with biochemical studies on the topology, suggested that p34 is a type II signal-anchor protein; it is composed of a large cytoplasmic domain, a membrane-spanning segment and a 38-amino-acid-long luminally disposed C-terminus. The cytoplasmic domain of p34 has several noteworthy structural features, including a region of 4.5 tandem repeats of 23-24 amino acids. The repeated motif shows structural similarity to the leucine-rich repeat which is found in a variety of proteins widely distributed among eukaryotic cells and which potentially functions in mediating protein-protein interactions. The cytoplasmic domain also contains a characteristic hydrophilic region with abundant charged amino acids. These structural regions may be important for the observed ribosome-binding activity of the p34 protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase protects against nitrosamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis.

We previously generated transgenic C3H/HeN mice by introducing the Escherichia coli O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT, DNA-O6-methylguanine:protein-L-cysteine S-methyltransferase, EC2.1.1.63) gene, ada, attached to the Chinese hamster metallothionein I gene promoter. One transgenic mouse line expressing both ada-specific mRNA and Ada protein could be propagated over many generations in a homozygous state with respect to the integrated DNA. Liver extracts from transgenic homozygous mice have consistently demonstrated about 3 times the control activity of normal mice. Furthermore, in the transgenic homozygotes treated with ZnSO4, activity is increased to 6-8 times the normal level in mice and is equivalent to that for man. To examine whether these increased levels of MGMT activity can actually decrease the susceptibility of animals to N-nitroso compounds, we studied liver carcinogenesis in our transgenic mice expressing high amounts of MGMT. Groups of transgenic and nontransgenic mice, each comprising about 200 suckling animals (14 +/- 1 days old), were divided each into eight subgroups, providing paired groups of transgenic and nontransgenic mice. They received an i.p. injection of ZnSO4 to induce MGMT, and 10 hr thereafter were given an i.p. injection of either dimethylnitrosamine or diethylnitrosamine. Liver tumor development was quantitatively assessed at 7-11 months. Here, we report statistically significant reduction of tumor formation in transgenic mice of four of the six paired groups that received treatment. The remaining two demonstrated results in line with dose dependence. Therefore, our data indicate that MGMT can indeed protect animals from low-dose exposure to environmental alkylating carcinogens.

Animals↗

Anti-(p34 protein) antibodies inhibit ribosome binding to and protein translocation across the rough microsomal membrane.

The p34 protein is a non-glycosylated, integral membrane protein characteristic of rough microsomes and is believed to play a role in the ribosome-membrane association. Here, antibodies directed against p34 were examined as to their inhibitory effect on ribosome binding to and protein translocation across the microsomal membrane. Preincubation of the stripped (ribosome-depleted) membrane with anti-p34 immunoglobulins (IgGs) or their Fab fragments led to more than 80% inhibition of the binding of ribosomes and their large (60S) subunit to the membrane. The inhibition was dependent on the amount of antibodies used, but comparable amounts of IgGs and Fab fragments from nonimmune serum had less effect. The p34 antibodies were also inhibitory for cotranslational translocation of secretory proteins, i.e. placental lactogen and serum albumin, across the membrane. These results suggest that p34 is involved in the binding of ribosomes to the microsomal membrane and that it is in close proximity to the protein translocation site in the microsomal membrane.

Animals↗

Frequent c-Ki-ras oncogene activation in mucous cell hyperplasias of pancreas suffering from chronic inflammation.

In order to scrutinize the possible significance of (nonatypical) mucous cell hyperplasia of the pancreas to neoplasia, we analyzed these lesions in terms of c-Ki-ras activation, which is known to be very frequent in pancreatic carcinomas. A total of 16 such mucous cell hyperplasias were collected from 10 pancreases resected for chronic pancreatitis. Tiny tissue fragments were taken from hematoxylin-stained sections by microdissection, and DNA analysis was carried out by the polymerase chain reaction amplification and oligonucleotide hybridization methods. Activating mutations of c-Ki-ras oncogene at codon 12 were detected in 10 of the 16 lesions (62.5%), a high rate as seen in carcinomas. The results indicated a clonal origin of cells comprising the mucous cell hyperplasia suggesting a neoplastic and/or precancerous nature.

Adult↗

Identification and partial characterization of a glycoprotein species with high affinity for methylmercury in peripheral nervous tissues of man and experimental animals.

A small amount of a glycoprotein species (21-kDa glycoprotein) with high affinity for methylmercury (MeHg) was detected in the post-nuclear or post-mitochondrial supernatant fraction of the homogenate of rat sciatic nerve on electrophoresis and autoradiography after binding of Me203Hg to the fraction. The 21-kDa glycoprotein was also found in the subcellular fractions of mouse, hamster, guinea pig, rabbit and human peripheral nervous tissues. Experiments with the cellular fractions of the tissues revealed that the 21-kDa glycoprotein is localized mainly in the myelin fraction, whereas it was not found in the cellular fractions of brain, spinal cord and nonneural tissues, such as kidney and liver. The specific binding activity of the 21-kDa glycoprotein with MeHg was 12-15 fold that of the major myelin protein, Po. It was shown that the interaction of the 21-kDa glycoprotein with MeHg was mediated through sulfhydryl groups in experiments with iodoacetamide and dithiothreitol. The amino acid compositions of the rat and human 21-kDa glycoproteins were similar but very different from that of a typical metallothionein. The N-terminal amino acid sequences of the two components of the rat 21-kDa glycoprotein were identical to those of P0 and PMP-22, respectively. The in vitro binding of MeHg was also observed in the myelin fraction obtained from the sciatic nerves of MeHg-dosed rats.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Variation in K-ras codon 12 point mutation rate with histological atypia within individual colorectal tumors.

To elucidate genetic alteration in relation to morphology and also to confirm more directly the proposed adenoma-carcinoma sequence, we analyzed thirty-eight colorectal "cancer in adenoma" lesions exhibiting areas of different atypia, in terms of K-ras codon 12 point mutation. The mutation incidence was 26.3% (10/38) for all cancerous areas. Well-differentiated and very well-differentiated carcinoma exhibited values of 17.6% (3/17) and 30.4% (7/23), respectively (statistically not significant). Positive cases of adenoma with severe atypia and adenoma with moderate or slight atypia were 26.7% (8/30) and 8.3% (3/36) respectively (statistically significant). Thus, K-ras point mutation, as indicated previously, may play an important role in the early stages of colorectal tumorigenesis. As for the nature of the mutation, GGT(Gly) to GAT(Asp) was the most frequent (80%). Eight cases had mutations concurrently in different areas of the same tumor and in all of these the mutation was homogeneous (6 cases to GAT, 1 case to TGT and 1 case to GTT). This provides genetic support for the "adenoma-carcinoma sequence" theory proposed on the basis of morphological considerations. All lesions with a mutation were of polypoid type, and no mutation was found in the flat type.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Ductectatic-type mucinous cystadenoma and cystadenocarcinoma of the human pancreas: a novel clinicopathological entity.

A new type of mucinous cystic pancreatic neoplasm is described. The lesions, which have been recognized only recently with the progress of diagnostic techniques and have not previously been described in the literature, are characterized by multilocular cysts with papillary proliferation of the lining epithelium. They occur exclusively in the head and body, predominantly in males, and coexistence of well-differentiated adenocarcinoma as well as adenoma components is frequently encountered. These lesions are quite different from hitherto described mucinous cystic neoplasms of pancreas, not only in terms of gross features but also with regard to intrapancreatic location, and sex and age distributions. We propose to classify these lesions as a new pancreatic tumor entity: the ductectatic-type mucinous cystadenoma/cystadenocarcinoma.

Aged↗

[Study of pre- and post-operative chemotherapy with oral 5-FU in patients with gastric cancer. Study Group of Pre- and Post-Operative Oral 5-FU in Gastric Cancer].

A cooperative study group consisted of 37 medical institutions evaluated the utility of pre- and post-operative chemotherapy with oral 5-FU by comparing with the historical controls of the patients treated with operation alone who were registered in Japanese Gastric Cancer List. Of 634 patients entered in this trial, 366 patients received curative operation at macroscopical stages II and III were studied as eligible cases. The relative 5-year survival at macroscopical stage II and III was 68.6% with 5-FU, significantly higher than 62.6% with operation alone (p < 0.05). Particularly, 5-year survival at macroscopical stage III was markedly different between 57.1% with 5-FU and 42.7% with operation alone. In order to make more effective comparison with the historical controls in this 1-arm trial, the background factors in 5-FU and control groups were matched in the ratio of 1:2 or 1:3 with respect to the following 4 factors: tumor site, S, N and macroscopical tumor type (by Kajitani's classification). As a result, the 5-year survival at macroscopical stages II and III was significantly higher with 5-FU (67.5%, 69.1%) than with operation alone (59.9%, 59.8%), and in particular this tendency was more marked at macroscopical stage III. These results suggest the usefulness of adjuvant chemotherapy in macroscopical stage III gastric cancer.

Administration, Oral↗

Lung cancers associated with thorotrast exposure: high incidence of small-cell carcinoma and implications for estimation of radon risk.

The widely accepted concept that the alpha-emitting radionuclide radon (222Rn, 220Rn) induces lung cancers in humans has been based on the excess of lung tumours observed in underground miners extracting uranium or other substances. However, this poses the important question of whether radon is the only carcinogenic factor because such miners are also heavily exposed to mine dusts including silicates, diesel exhaust, etc. in their working environment. Patients to whom Thorotrast was administered continuously exhale radon (220Rn) derived from 232Th deposits in the body and therefore provide a good model for lung carcinogenesis by radon without concomitant dust exposure. We therefore investigated lung-cancer incidence in our epidemiological follow-up series, analysing the histological types of 11 lung cancers which were found among 359 Thorotrast autopsy cases and measuring radioactivity in the breath of living Thorotrast patients. The study revealed that, while the proportion of small-cell lung cancers considered to be related to alpha-particles was significantly increased, the overall lung cancer incidence was not significantly higher than in controls, in spite of the high level of 220Rn in the patients' breath. This result suggests that radon in the lung does induce cancers (particularly small-cell carcinomas) but that the induction rate is not as high as expected from risk factors associated with mining. Thus, excess lung cancers among the miners might be related to the combined effects of exposure to radon and mine dusts, and not solely to radon.

Aged↗