Biomedical subjects

K Fukunaga

Publications and source records attributed to K Fukunaga.

347 records · Page 20Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Hepatic functional reserve in patients with biliary malignancies: an assessment by technetium 99m galactosyl human serum albumin hepatic scintigraphy.

PROBLEM: Technetium 99m galactosyl human serum albumin (99mTc-GSA) is a hepatic scintigraphy agent that binds to the asialoglycoprotein receptors. We evaluated the clinical use of the scintigraphy for the pre-operative assessment of biliary malignancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Scintigraphy was performed before operation in 56 patients with biliary malignancies. A hepatic uptake ratio of 99mTc-GSA (LHL15; the count ratio of the liver to the sum of the heart and liver 15 min after injection of 99mTc-GSA) was calculated. RESULTS: LHL15 was significantly associated with bilirubin half-life in patients treated before operation with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (P = 0.007). After operation, 4 of 18 patients with LHL15 < 0.925 died within 30 days. The postoperative mortality was significantly greater in patients with LHL15 < 0.925 than in patients with LHL15 > or = 0.925 (P = 0.033). CONCLUSION: 99mTc-GSA scintigraphy is useful in evaluating the hepatic functional reserve in patients with biliary malignancies.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Stimulatory effect of suramin on the proliferation of human glioma cells.

Suramin, a non-specific growth factor antagonist, has been reported to have pleiotrophic action on the proliferation of some kinds of tumours and has therefore attracted attention as an agent in the treatment of cancer. We studied its action on human glioma cell lines in vitro by examining the effect of suramin on the proliferation and the cell cycle and mitogen-activated protein (MAP)-kinase activity of glioma cells. We found that at low concentration (50, 100 micrograms/ml) suramin had a stimulatory effect while at higher concentrations (200, 500 micrograms/ml) it had an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of 4 human glioma cell lines. At low concentrations, suramin stimulated the transition of glioma cells from a quiescent state (G0) to the proliferative phase (S phase); MAP kinase activity was also increased. The stimulatory effect of low concentrations of suramin on the proliferation of glioma cells may have important consequences for glioma patients treated with suramin.

Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Rounded atelectasis formation following decrease of pleural effusion: a case report.

We present a case of rounded atelectasis (RA) observed continuously following decrease of pleural effusion. The collapsed right lower lobe adjacent to pleural effusion changed its shape from wedge-shaped consolidation with air-bronchogram to oval and flat formation at last. The vessels and bronchi curving into RA were detected by CT and we called it horizontal comettail sign. When a mass is detected following decrease of pleural effusion and vessels and bronchi are curving into the mass, the mass may be diagnosed as RA and no further examination may be necessary.

Bronchography↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of chemotherapy on Tl-201 tumor uptake: experimental study.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between histopathological changes and 201Tl accumulation in tumor following chemotherapy in the evaluation of chemotherapeutic effect. Walker 256 carcinoma implanted in the right thighs of Wistar rats was treated by the intravenous injection of adriamycin (ADR). 201Tl scintigraphy was performed before and 12, 24, 72, and 96 hours after chemotherapy. The count ratio of tumor to normal muscle (T/N ratio) was measured by gamma camera. Tumor growth rate was measured and histopathological examination of the tumor after 201Tl scintigraphy was performed. The tumors of all rats disappeared within 2 weeks after chemotherapy, but the T/N ratio did not change. Histopathological findings showed a decrement of tumor cells, small necrotic regions, and remarkable lymphocyte infiltration in the tumor bed in the healing stage. After 201Tl injection, lymphocytes isolated from tumor tissue showed noted 201Tl accumulation. These results suggest that the T/N ratio did not decrease after ADR chemotherapy because of the accumulation of 201Tl in lymphocytes. We concluded that the use of 201Tl may underestimate the therapeutic effect of ADR.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Protecting the viability of hepatic allografts procured from non-heart-beating donors by blockade of endothelin and platelet activating factor in porcine liver transplantation.

PROBLEM: The function of hepatic allograft from non-heartbeating donors (NHBD) is significantly affected by warm ischemic injury before harvesting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of the endothelin (ET) antagonist TAK-044 and the platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonist E5880 on the function of grafts from NHBD were evaluated in a porcine orthotopic liver transplantation. The liver grafts were subjected to 90 min of warm ischemia and 4 hours cold preservation. Group 1 (n = 4; n is the number of donor/recipient pairs) was used as a control (untreated). In group 2 (n = 4), donors and recipients were treated with TAK-044 (3 mg/kg). In group 3 (n = 4), pigs were treated with E5880 (0.3 mg/kg). In group 4 (n = 4), pigs were treated with TAK-044 and E5880. RESULTS: The 7 day survival rate of the recipients in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 was 0, 25, 25 and 100%, respectively (p<0.05, group 1 versus 4). The increases of the serum concentrations of aspartate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase and arterial lactate 1-4 hours after transplantation were significantly inhibited in the treated groups. CONCLUSION: The blockade of ET and PAF has protective effects on the function of hepatic grafts from NHBD.

Animals↗