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Biomedical subjects

J Murakami

Publications and source records attributed to J Murakami.

173 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Semiquantitative analysis of telomerase activity in cervical cancer and precancerous lesions.

We investigated telomerase expression in cervical lesions and its diagnostic value for cervical cancer and the precancerous lesions. The subjects were 100 women who underwent cervical biopsy, comprising 16 normal cervix, 61 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and 23 invasive cervical cancer. Telomerase activity was detected by the telomerase repeat amplification protocol using a non-radioisotope system, and quantitated using a DNA image analyzing system. Telomerase was detected at 18.8% (3/16) in normal cervix, 32. 0% (8/25) in CIN I, 50.0% (3/6) in CIN II, 60.0% (18/30) in CIN III, and 91.3% (21/23) in invasive cervical cancer. Semiquantitation of telomerase activity was significantly higher in the subjects with invasive cancer than in those with CIN or a normal cervix (p<0.05). However, telomerase activity was not significantly different between the grades of CIN. Telomerase was detected in subjects with CIN, suggesting that telomerase expression is an early event in cervical carcinogenesis. Quantitation of telomerase activity may be helpful for the diagnosis of cervical cancer.

Biopsy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

High-resolution CT characteristics of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the peripheral lung: comparison with well differentiated adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the characteristic high-resolution CT (HRCT) findings of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (PDA) in comparison with those of well differentiated adenocarcinoma (WDA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the HRCT features of surgically resected PDAs (n=21) and WDAs (n=31). We analyzed the margin, CT attenuation, and internal architecture of the tumor and findings in the surrounding lung field, comparing them with the corresponding pathologic findings. RESULTS: Smoothness of the greater part (full-1/2 round) of the tumor and solid appearance were more prevalent in PDAs than WDAs (81% vs. 32%, 100% vs. 35%) [p<0.01]. Air-bronchogram was prevalent in WDAs (58%), but was never seen in PDAs [p<0.01]. Ground-glass opacity in PDAs pathologically corresponded to inflammation and edema in the alveolar space. CONCLUSIONS: Smoothness of the tumor margin and solid appearance without air-bronchogram were more commonly found in PDA than in WDA. HRCT may predict the histological differentiation of adenocarcinoma in selected cases in which differentiation is inconclusive by sputum cytology and transbronchial or CT-guided biopsy.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Diffusely calcified renal cell carcinoma: CT features.

Calcifications of renal masses are common. They are usually dense, partial, small, punctate, and linear opacities. Diffuse calcification is an extremely rare feature of renal masses. Generally, calcified renal cell carcinomas are hypovascular, with calcifications in the interstitium, and they also contain fibrotic capsules, necrotic areas, or hyalinization. We recently observed a renal neoplasm with diffuse calcification on CT and intermediate vascularity on angiography, which was diagnosed histologically as renal cell carcinoma, clear cell type. Interestingly, there were numerous calcific deposits within the tumor cells.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Problems in radiographic detection and diagnosis of lung cancer.

All chest radiographs of 107 proven lung cancer patients who received consecutive biennial chest radiography were reviewed to elucidate problems detecting their cancers, and diagnosing them when initially radiographically detected. Subjects, members of a fixed population sample, originally numbered 20,000 persons, 17,000 of whom consistently received consecutive biennial chest radiography during examinations for late effects of atomic-bomb radiation. Among the 107 subjects, 64 had radiographic manifestations of cancer; 47 were initially correctly diagnosed; 17 were not. Eleven of the 17 were initially equivocal, diagnosable only after subsequent radiography and retrospective review of serial radiographs. Diagnostic problems consisted of 1) six detection errors with cancer images superimposed on musculoskeletal and cardiovascular structures, reducible by stereoscopic p.a. instead of single p.a. radiography; immediate tentative interpretations; and by comparing earlier with current radiographs. 2) Eight decision errors, wherein cancers mimicked other diseases, were reducible by greater index of suspicion and scrutiny during interpretations.

Diagnostic Errors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hemosuccus pancreaticus: CT manifestations.

A case of severe gastrointestinal bleeding due to rupture of a splenic artery aneurysm into the pancreatic duct (hemosuccus pancreaticus) was encountered. Contrast enhanced CT revealed a low-density mass containing an enhancing central area in the pancreatic tail. Arteriography demonstrated a splenic artery aneurysm. Postoperative pathological review revealed a communication between the ruptured splenic artery aneurysm and the pancreatic duct.

Aneurysm↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Intrarectal hyperthermia of circumferential rectal cancer. Report of 2 cases.

An intrarectal microwave (2,450 MHz) applicator was designed for hyperthermia of rectal cancer. Combined treatment of hyperthermia and irradiation was applied in two selected cases. The lesions of case 1 regressed completely, but cancer cells were still present after treatment in case 2. Such hyperthermia is useful for other circumferential cancers such as those of the esophagus and biliary tract. Combined hyperthermia and irradiation are an effective means of achieving therapeutic gains.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Malignant pleurisy and intrathoracic dissemination in carcinoma of the lung: diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic implications.

Of T4 disease of lung cancer, malignant pleurisy and intrathoracic dissemination are the greatest factor preventing a cure, despite the best efforts of surgery and various adjuvant therapy modalities. Preoperative evaluation of this disease is of first importance using conventional radiology and computed tomography. Of the 43 patients who were intraoperatively diagnosed to be the disease, 8 (18%) appeared on the conventional radiology as small amounts of pleural effusion, and 9 (21%) with a interlobar pleural thickening. Based on CT findings, 16 (67%) had one or more of some disseminated nodules, interlobar pleural thickening and broad pleural indentation. In patients with T4 disease, the 5-year survival rate was 14% in patients with malignant pleurisy and/or intrathoracic dissemination, compared with the 18% in those with direct invasion to great vessels, with no significant difference. According to intrapleural instillation as postoperative adjuvant therapy, the 5-year survival rate was 25% in the patients given interleukin-2, compared with 38 months of survival time for patients prescribed doxorubicin and 33 months for those underwent exploratory thoracotomy. A more favorable prognosis of patients whose malignant pleurisy and/or intrathoracic dissemination are first found at thoracotomy can be expected when postoperative intrapleural instillation of interleukin-2 is prescribed following the resection of the intrathoracic tumors.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

CT diagnosis of pleural dissemination without pleural effusion in primary lung cancer.

We retrospectively reviewed the CT scans of 25 primary lung cancers with disseminated pleural nodules or minimal malignant pleural effusions that were not recognized preoperatively. Special attention was devoted to abutting interlobar fissures, thick major fissures, and disseminated nodules on the chest wall, the diaphragm, and in the interlobar fissures. Among 10 primary tumors abutting interlobar fissures, nine (90%) had at least one of these findings. Among 15 primary lung tumors which did not abut interlobar fissures, four (27%) had at least one of these findings. We conclude that CT is a useful modality for detecting the pleural dissemination of primary lung cancers when primary lung cancers abut interlobar fissures even if no pleural effusion is detectable on CT.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Neural network analysis of breast cancer from MRI findings.

PURPOSE: To evaluate how much the experience of radiologists affects the performance of an artificial neural network (ANN) trained by two highly experienced radiologists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Before biopsy two experienced radiologists reviewed the MR images of 100 adult patients with suspicious breast lesions and evaluated their findings based on six features. This database was then used to train a three-layered feed-forward neural network. The network's generalizing ability was then tested to predict the outcome of biopsy in 56 new patients' records which were extracted by 10 participating radiologists. The MRI findings of each reader were presented to the ANN to evaluate the effect of various levels of experience on the output of the ANN. The performance of the ANN was then compared with that of attendant physicians in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy as well as ROC analysis. RESULTS: The best ANN outcome offered a correct diagnosis in 40 of 41 of the patients with malignant breast cancer and 10 of 15 with benign entity presented in the testing set. The output of the trained ANN outperformed the attendant radiologists with low levels of experience and showed comparable performance with radiologists with higher levels of experience. CONCLUSIONS: The ANN is able to work as a backup system to assist radiologists in the diagnosis of breast cancer.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Adaptive spatial filtering technique for storage phosphor radiography in portable chest radiographs: parameter optimization.

PURPOSE: To investigate the optimal parameters of adaptive spatial filtering (ASF) in storage phosphor radiography for processing portable chest radiographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two types of weighting factor curves starting at 383 digital pixel values (PV) (type B) and at 511 PV (type C) were selected for the optimization of ASF. The PV of 27 areas of apparent pulmonary lesions and seven retrocardiac areas were measured for original unprocessed and ASF-processed images. Three radiologists compared 30 ASF-processed portable chest radiographs with apparent pulmonary or pleural lesions with unprocessed images. RESULTS: PV measurements revealed no significant change in pulmonary densities in type B, and an increase in PV of lower pulmonary densities in type C. Densities of retrocardiac areas were more enhanced in type C than in type B. Observer testing showed that pulmonary densities were evaluated as unchanged in 90% of type B images and 76% of type C images. Changes in mediastinal densities were evaluated as adequate in 80% of type B and 90% of type C images. CONCLUSION: The starting point of the weighting factor curve of ASF in portable chest radiographs should be set the same as in chest radiographs in the upright posteroanterior position with high kVp.

Algorithms↗