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Biomedical subjects

K Fujimoto

Publications and source records attributed to K Fujimoto.

At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources

Second-look operation for recurrent colorectal cancer based on carcinoembryonic antigen and imaging techniques.

PURPOSE: The usefulness of postoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) monitoring and improvements in imaging techniques have renewed enthusiasm for second-look operations (SLO) as the most effective treatment for recurrent colorectal cancer by reresection following early detection. The aim of our study is to evaluate the role of CEA and imaging techniques-directed SLO. METHODS: Seven hundred fifty-six patients with Dukes Stages B and C, who had undergone curative resection, were monitored postoperatively using CEA and imaging techniques. An SLO was performed on any potentially resectable recurrence, and in addition, an SLO was done when a persistently rising CEA value was detected. RESULTS: Recurrence developed in 18.8 percent (142/756) of patients, and 90.8 percent (129/142) of the recurrences were detected within the first three years following curative resection. When comparing carcinomas of the colon with that of the rectum, the former were associated with significantly more hepatic and intraabdominal recurrences, whereas the latter had significantly more locoregional and pulmonary recurrences. Seventy-two patients underwent SLO. Of these patients, 54.2 percent (39/72) had all of their disease resected, and 1.4 percent (1/72) had no detectable disease at the SLO. Among the 142 patients with recurrence, 71 (50 percent) patients underwent SLO. The resectable group at SLO carried a significantly better survival than the unresectable recurrence group (41.3 vs. 5.2 percent; P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Complete removal of colorectal cancer recurrences by SLO, on the basis of postoperative, follow-up CEA and imaging technique findings, results in improved survival.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Functional outcome after low anterior resection with low anastomosis for rectal cancer using the colonic J-pouch. Prospective randomized study for determination of optimum pouch size.

PURPOSE: Functional outcome after low anterior resection with ultralow coloanal anastomosis for rectal cancer is improved by construction of a colonic J-pouch vs. straight anastomosis. Optimum size of this pouch has yet to be determined. Therefore, we initiated a prospective, randomized trial using 5-cm and 10-cm pouches to determine this size. METHODS: Patients with tumors 5 to 10 cm from the anal verge were included in the study. Before a low anterior resection anastomosis was performed, patients were randomized to either a 5-cm J-pouch group (5-J group) or a 10-cm J-pouch group (10-J group). Functional assessments were performed one year postoperatively. Clinical functions were evaluated using a functional scoring system. Physiologic functions, such as sphincter and reservoir function, were evaluated by anorectal manometry and evacuation function by the balloon expulsion and saline evacuation tests. RESULTS: Forty patients among 43 randomized patients were assessed for functional outcome one year postoperatively (5-J group, n = 20; 10-J group, n = 20). The functional score was similar for the two groups, although reservoir function in the 5-J group was significantly less than in the 10-J group. Sphincter function was similar between the two groups. Evacuation function in the 5-J group was significantly superior to that in the 10-J group. CONCLUSIONS: The 5-cm J-pouch conferred adequate reservoir function without compromising evacuation.

Adult↗

Analysis of regional lymph node metastases from rectal carcinoma by the clearing method. Justification of the use of sigmoid in J-pouch construction after low anterior resection.

PURPOSE: It has been reported that functional outcome following low anterior resection of resection of rectal cancer is improved by construction of a colonic J-pouch compared with straight anastomosis. Hence, we tried to justify use of the sigmoid colon in the construction of a J-pouch by the analysis of regional lymph node metastases. METHODS: A total of 182 patients underwent resection for rectal cancer. Node metastases were examined by the clearing method. According to Japanese General Rules for Clinical and Pathological Studies on Cancer of the Colon, Rectum and Anus (JGR), nodes were classified into the perirectal nodes (PR-N), pericolic nodes (PC-N), central intermediate nodes (C-IM-N), central main nodes (C-M-N), lateral intermediate nodes (L-IM-N), and lateral main nodes (L-M-N). RESULTS: Metastatic rate (number of patients with node metastases/total number of patients) of PR-N was 57.1 percent. Metastatic rate of C-IM-N was 18.7 percent and that of C-M-N was 7.1 percent. Metastatic rates of L-IM-N and L-M-N were 8.8 and 3.3 percent, respectively, and both were highest in the case of lower rectal cancer. Metastatic rate of PC-N was only 1.1 percent. The number of cases without node metastases (n(-) cases) was 78, that with only PR-N metastases (PR-N cases) was 63, that with intermediate but not main node metastases (IM-N cases) was 29, and that with main node metastases (M-N cases) was 12. Five-year survival rate after curative resection was 88.5 percent for n(-) cases, 70.9 percent for PR-N cases, 65.9 percent for IM-N cases, and 41.7 percent for M-N cases. CONCLUSIONS: In low anterior resection, high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery and dissection of C-M-N, C-IM-N and PR-N are necessary, with the addition of the L-IM-N and L-M-N in the case of lower rectal cancer. Resection of sigmoid colon is not required, and therefore, a J-pouch can be constructed using the sigmoid colon. Nodal classification according to the JGR was predictive of case distribution and five-year survival rate.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Postnatal changes in activation of polyunsaturated fatty acid, acylation of lysophosphoglyceride, and phosphorylation of diacylglycerol in cortical gray matter of rat cerebrum.

Activation of polyunsaturated fatty acid, acylation of lysophosphoglyceride, and phosphorylation of diacylglycerol in postnatal developing rat cerebrum were studied in vitro, using cortical gray matter homogenates. The rate of n-3 and n-6 fatty acid activation was maximal at ten days after birth and minimal at adulthood. Acylation of lysophosphoglyceride was most active at the neonatal stage and gradually decreased with age. In addition, the amount of phosphatidic acid formed from 1, 2-dioleoyl-glycerol was also maximum at the neonatal stage, and then gradually decreased. These results suggest that the specific activity of glycerolipid synthesis in cortical gray matter declines during postnatal development.

Acylation↗

Lingual factors enhance the increase of ornithine decarboxylase activity in rat jejunal mucosa after feeding.

Luminal nutrients are the main factors that stimulate ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity in rat intestinal mucosa following feeding. The aim of the present study was to determine whether lingual (oral) factors are related to the increase in jejunal ODC activity after feeding. ODC activity in the jejunum and liver was measured 3 hours after refeeding of 48-hour fasted rats. In the first experiment, rats were refed with a regular pellet, powder, or liquid diet. In the second experiment, rats were infused with the liquid diet through a gastric infusion tube following 48 hours' fasting. In the third experiment, the experimental rats had a gastric fistula that allowed free drainage from the stomach of all ingested liquid diet. In the fourth experiment, a truncal vagotomy was performed 1 week before the experiment. The increase of ODC activity in the jejunum of rats fed with the liquid diet was less than that of rats fed with the pellet diet or powder diet. The increase of ODC activity in the jejunal mucosa of rats infused through the gastric tube was less than that of rats fed per os, and the increase of ODC activity in the liver did not differ between these experimental groups. ODC activity did not increase in rats with a gastric fistula. Vagotomy did not affect the increase of jejunal ODC activity after feeding. In conclusion, the increase of ODC activity after feeding was attenuated in rats in which the diet was given by bypassing the mouth. This indicates that lingual factors enhance the increase of ODC activity in the jejunal mucosa after feeding, but the lingual factors alone do not increase ODC activity in the jejunum.

Animal Feed↗

Deficient cerebellar long-term depression, impaired eyeblink conditioning, and normal motor coordination in GFAP mutant mice.

Mice devoid of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), an intermediate filament protein specifically expressed in astrocytes, develop normally and do not show any detectable abnormalities in the anatomy of the brain. In the cerebellum, excitatory synaptic transmission from parallel fibers (PFs) or climbing fibers (CFs) to Purkinje cells is unaltered, and these synapses display normal short-term synaptic plasticity to paired stimuli in GFAP mutant mice. In contrast, long-term depression (LTD) at PF-Purkinje cell synapses is clearly deficient. Furthermore, GFAP mutant mice exhibited a significant impairment of eyeblink conditioning without any detectable deficits in motor coordination tasks. These results suggest that GFAP is required for communications between Bergmann glia and Purkinje cells during LTD induction and maintenance. The data support the notion that cerebellar LTD is a cellular mechanism closely associated with eyeblink conditioning, but is not essential for motor coordination tasks tested.

Animals↗

Effect of repeated administration of KT3-671, a nonpeptide AT1 receptor antagonist, on diurnal variation in blood pressure, heart rate, and locomotor activity in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats as determined by radiotelemetry.

KT3-671, a nonpeptide AT1 receptor antagonist, was administered to 20-week-old stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) daily for 3 weeks. Its effects on systolic, mean, and diastolic arterial blood pressure (SAP, MAP, DAP), heart rate and locomotor activity were investigated with radiotelemetry. A clear diurnal variation in blood pressure, heart rate, and locomotor activity was observed in synchrony with the light cycle. KT3-671 at a daily dose of 10 mg/kg orally (p.o), produced a significant and consistent reduction in blood pressure, preventing the development of hypertension. KT3-671 reduced SAP more than DAP, suggesting that it may affect both vascular tone and cardiac output. Although KT3-671 did not affect diurnal rhythms in heart rate and locomotor activity, it did cause a slight but significant reduction in heart rate. The MAP determined 23 h after the administration of KT3-671 showed a significant reduction from the day 2 of therapy to the day 3 after discontinuation of therapy, suggesting a long duration of antihypertensive action. There was no rebound increase in blood pressure after discontinuation of KT3-671 therapy. These results suggest that KT3-671 may be potentially useful in the therapy of hypertension.

Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists↗

Ethnic differences in gastric sigma-alcohol dehydrogenase activity and ethanol first-pass metabolism.

We assessed whether the low sigma-alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity in Japanese (compared with Caucasians) affects the first-pass metabolism of ethanol. ADH isozyme activities were determined in endoscopic biopsies of the gastric corpus from 24 Japanese and 41 Caucasian men by starch gel electrophoresis and by comparing the reduction of m-nitrobenzaldehyde (a preferred substrate of sigma-ADH) with that of acetaldehyde (a preferred substrate of gamma-ADH) and the glutathione-dependent formaldehyde oxidation (a specific reaction of chi-ADH). Alcohol pharmacokinetics was compared in 10 Japanese and 10 Caucasians after administration of ethanol (300 mg/kg of body weight) intravenously or orally, using 5 and 40% oral solutions. Japanese exhibited lower sigma-ADH activity than Caucasians, with no difference in the other gastric isozymes. With 5% ethanol, first-pass metabolism was strikingly lower in Japanese than in Caucasians. Blood alcohol levels were similar because of the high elimination rate in Japanese due to the hepatic beta 2-ADH variant. With 40% ethanol, the first-pass metabolism increased in both groups to comparable levels, suggesting an additional contribution by chi-ADH at high ethanol concentrations. These results indicate that sigma-ADH activity contributes significantly to gastric ethanol oxidation and its lower activity in Japanese is associated with lesser first-pass metabolism.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗

Determination of acetylcholine concentration in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with neurologic diseases.

INTRODUCTION: Acetylcholine (ACh) is a well known neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, but determining its level in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is very difficult and the origin of CSF ACh is still unknown. In this study, we attempted to measure CSF ACh by a specific and sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) from patients with neurologic diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with cerebral infarction (n = 7), Parkinson's disease (n = 6), spinocerebellar degeneration (n = 6), Alzheimer's disease (n = 3), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (n = 3) and disc herniation with no central nervous involvement (n = 8) participated to determine the CSF ACh levels. RESULTS: Of these 33 patients, the mean ACh level in CSF was 282.2 +/- 61.7 fmol/ml (mean +/- SE, range 20-1505.8 fmol/ml). The mean ACh level of spinocerebellar degeneration group was lower than others, but not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: We conclude that an amount of ACh detectable by RIA is certainly present in CSF.

Acetylcholine↗

Completely impacted teeth in dentate and edentulous jaws.

Panoramic radiographs from 1026 patients were examined for the presence of completely impacted teeth. The prevalence of completely impacted teeth in the edentulous jaw was lower than that in the dentate jaw in both the upper and lower jaws. The prevalence of completely impacted third molars in the edentulous jaw was also lower than that in the dentate jaw. However, there was no difference in the prevalence of completely impacted canine teeth and completely impacted anterior maxillary supernumerary teeth (mesiodens) in the edentulous jaw. These findings may indicate that completely impacted canine teeth and impacted anterior maxillary supernumerary teeth (mesiodens) are not influenced by the loss of erupted teeth.

Adult↗

Alterations in the DNA topoisomerase IV grlA gene responsible for quinolone resistance in Staphylococcus aureus.

A 4.2-kb DNA fragment conferring quinolone resistance was cloned from a quinolone-resistant clinical isolate of Staphylococcus aureus and was shown to possess a part of the grlB gene and a mutated grlA gene. S-80-->F and E-84-->K mutations in the grlA gene product were responsible for the quinolone resistance. The mutated grlA genes responsible for quinolone resistance were dominant over the wild-type allele, irrespective of gene dosage in a transformation experiment with the grlA gene alone. However, dominance by mutated grlA genes depended on gene dosage when bacteria were transformed with the grlA and grlB genes in combination. Quinolone-resistant gyrA mutants were easily isolated from a strain, S. aureus RN4220, carrying a plasmid with the mutated grlA gene, though this was not the case for other S. aureus strains lacking the plasmid. The elimination of this plasmid from such quinolone-resistant gyrA mutants resulted in marked increases in quinolone susceptibility. These results suggest that both DNA gyrase and DNA topoisomerase IV may be targets of quinolones and that the quinolone susceptibility of organisms may be determined by which of these enzymes is most quinolone sensitive.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid findings in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has recently been incriminated as an aetiological agent in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. This study was performed to determine the cellularity and lymphocyte phenotypes of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in patients with chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: BAL fluid and lavage lymphocyte subsets from 13 patients (10 men) with active chronic hepatitis C, diagnosed by sustained elevated serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase and typical histological findings in the liver, were analysed. Lavage findings in these patients were compared with those from 13 healthy volunteers (eight men) as controls. RESULTS: There was no difference in total cell counts in lavage fluid between the two groups. Lavage lymphocyte and eosinophil numbers were increased in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Surface marker analysis of the lymphocyte populations showed increases in CD2, CD3, CD4, and HLA-DR. CD4/CD8 ratios were not different. CONCLUSIONS: The numbers of lymphocytes and eosinophils in BAL fluid are increased in patients with chronic hepatitis C. These findings suggest that HCV infection may trigger alveolitis.

Adult↗

Cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in patients with high altitude pulmonary oedema at moderate altitude in Japan.

BACKGROUND: The precise mechanism of high altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE) remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of cytokines and P-selectin in the development of HAPE which occurred at moderate altitude in Japan. METHODS: The following cellular and biochemical markers and chemotactic cytokines were measured in the bronchoalveolar (BAL) fluid from four patients with HAPE at 2857-3180 m in the Japanese Alps: total proteins, albumin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and interleukin (IL)-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-1 receptor antagonist (ra), IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and the soluble form of P-selectin. RESULTS: At admission there were significant increases in the levels of total cells, especially macrophages and neutrophils, total protein, albumin and LDH when compared with 13 healthy individuals. Furthermore, the levels of IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha were also considerably increased but returned quickly to the normal ranges or were not detected after recovery. The levels of IL-1 alpha, IL-10, and P-selectin did not change. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that an inflammatory process almost identical with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) may occur in HAPE, but that these changes are transient and are not associated with any increase in P-selectin levels in the BAL fluid.

Adult↗

Postabsorptive factors are important for satiation in rats after a lipid meal.

We examined satiation after intraduodenal infusion of triglyceride with or without Pluronic L-81 (L-81) in rats. L-81 suppresses lipid transport into mesenteric lymph by preventing the formation of chylomicrons. Under unrestrained conditions, a lipid emulsion was infused into 24-h fasted rats intraduodenally for 8 h. After the infusion, food intake during the first 30 min and blood samples were measured. Food intake after the 8-h lipid infusion decreased significantly (-75%) compared with that of rats infused with vehicle only, and the effect of the lipid meal was time dependent. The satiation effect of the lipid was lost as a result of L-81 treatment, but food intake was still significantly decreased (-22%). The loss of inhibition of food intake by the feeding of lipid plus L-81 was totally reversed by the cessation of L-81 infusion. In rats infused with the lipid emulsion, plasma levels of triglyceride and apolipoprotein A-IV increased significantly. This increase was abolished by the presence of L-81 in the lipid infusate. The present study indicates that postabsorptive factors are important for anorexia observed after a lipid meal in addition to preabsorptive factors. This study further supports our previous conclusion that apolipoprotein A-IV is an important postabsorptive factor for satiation after a lipid meal.

Animals↗

'Medial defects' in the prenatal human cerebral arteries: an electron microscopic study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Fine structural studies were performed to investigate the histogenesis of human intracranial arteries. Special attention was paid to whether "medial defects" exist in these arteries. METHODS: Segments of the intracranial extracerebral arteries of normal human embryos (n=6) were examined with transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Focal defects of the medial smooth muscle cells were disclosed at every bifurcation of the developing arteries. This configuration persisted until the arteries obtained enough muscle coat. These areas, in which an absence of medial smooth muscle cells (ie, a medial defect) existed, were occupied by fibrous connective tissues of elastin and collagen. CONCLUSIONS: The medial defect observed at the arterial bifurcation of the embryos seems to be a development process that accompanies human ontogenesis rather than a congenital anomaly, supporting a possible pathogenesis for intracranial saccular aneurysms.

Abortion, Induced↗

Effect of the 21-aminosteroid U-74006F on antigen-induced bronchoconstriction and bronchoalveolar eosinophilia in allergic sheep.

U-74006F, a non-glucocorticoid 21-aminosteroid, has been developed as an inhibitor of iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. This class of compounds has been shown to prevent antigen-induced eosinophil accumulation in the lungs. In this study, Ascaris-sensitive, "dual-respondent" sheep (showing both immediate (IAR) and late (LAR) asthmatic response) (n = 6) were used to assess the effect of U-74006F on antigen-induced bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation and reactivity 8 h after antigen challenge. Antigen provocation induced dual-phase bronchoconstriction, bronchoalveolar eosinophilia and airway hyperreactivity (AHR) to methacholine. Throughout the experiment, intravenous administration of the drug significantly reduced the IAR and inhibited the LAR along with the inhibition of eosinophil influx, but did not inhibit the increase in airway reactivity observed 8 h after antigen challenge. Post-antigen challenge treatment with U-74006 from 3 h after antigen challenge also significantly reduced the LAR and bronchoalveolar eosinophilia, although the degree of inhibitory effect was milder. The development of the LAR appeared to be dependent on eosinophil recruitment into the lungs. These findings suggest that lipid peroxidation is involved in antigen-induced bronchoconstriction and eosinophil recruitment into the lungs, and that the inhibitor U-74006F may be an effective drug for the treatment of bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation characterized by eosinophil infiltration in asthmatics.

Allergens↗