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Biomedical subjects

K Ito

Publications and source records attributed to K Ito.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Endovascular therapy for abdominal pseudoaneurysms: analysis from technical and clinical aspects.

PURPOSE: To clarify the factors of outcomes by endovascular therapy for abdominal pseudoaneurysm (PSA) from both technical and clinical aspects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen patients with PSAs underwent embolization. Embolic methods were classified into two groups: proximal and distal embolization (PDE) and proximal embolization alone (PE). The patients were classified into four groups by shock index. Pre-embolization hemoglobin (Hb) level and decrease in Hb level were evaluated. Outcomes were classified into two groups: successful recovery and failure despite successful PSA embolization. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in success, recurrence, and complication rate, and outcomes between the two embolic methods. There was a statistically significant correlation between the grades of shock indices and outcomes (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference between the Hb levels and outcomes. CONCLUSION: Outcomes were not dependent on the embolic methods. Shock index reflecting clinical status may be a simple predictor of outcome. PSA should therefore be treated by optimal embolic methods as quickly as possible to avoid rupture.

Abdomen↗
PubMed2006

Diffuse cerebral white matter T2-weighted hyperintensity: a new finding of general paresis.

General paresis (parenchymatous neurosyphilis) is a rare disease, and in recent years the number of papers published on the magnetic resonance imaging findings has been limited. The findings are as follows: cerebral atrophy; mesiotemporal T2 hyperintensity; ventriculomegaly; pathological T2 hypointensity of the globus pallidus, putamen, the head of the caudate nucleus and thalamus. We present a new finding, diffuse cerebral white matter T2 hyperintensity, observed in a patient with general paresis with a 5-year history of progressive dementia.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Preoperative portal vein embolization with a mixture of gelatin sponge and iodized oil: efficacy and safety.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether portal vein embolization (PVE) using a mixture of gelatin sponge (GS) pieces and iodized oil is safe and effective in inducing hypertrophy of the future liver remnants (FLR). MATERIAL AND METHODS: PVE was performed in 14 patients (eight male and six female, mean age 65 years, range 35-81 years) diagnosed with malignant liver tumor before surgery, whose FLR volumes were judged too small to allow for safe resection. Liver volume change, biochemical data change, complications related to PVE, and postoperative complications were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: PVE was successful in all patients, and there were no procedural complications. Absolute FLR volume and FLR/total liver volume (TLV) ratio increased by 102 cm3 and 8% (mean values), respectively. Planned hepatectomies were cancelled in three patients due to extrahepatic metastasis or bile duct infection. Five of the 11 patients (45%) who underwent hepatectomies had major postoperative complications. However, complications due to hepatic failure were not seen. In 10 patients, except one whose outcome was fatal outcome, the mean hospitalization days with and without major complications were 73 and 33 days, respectively. CONCLUSION: PVE using a mixture of GS and iodized oil seems to be effective and safe in inducing hypertrophy of the FLR.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Shear does not necessarily inhibit bone healing.

Interfragmentary shear has been perceived as inhibitory to bone healing. We think this is because of inadequate balance between stimulatory and disruptive interfragmentary displacement magnitudes in the shear direction. We hypothesized that pure shear is not necessarily detrimental to bone healing. This was investigated by comparing bone healing under interfragmentary torsional shear, axial compression, and no applied motion. Applied motion was controlled carefully with similar interfragmentary principal strain magnitudes found to stimulate healing under axial compression. The observation period was 8 weeks. Torsional rotation stimulated intercortical mineralized callus formation with greater area than the group without applied motion, and led to a stiffness and rate of bony bridging similar to that of the no motion group. Axial compression stimulated less intercortical mineralized callus of a lower density than the no motion group, and there also was little bridging. These results support the hypothesis that interfragmentary shear does not necessarily inhibit bone healing.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

The human renal lymphatics under normal and pathological conditions.

AIMS: The renal lymphatics have not been fully documented in humans. The aim of this study was to clarify the morphology of the human renal lymphatic system under normal and pathological conditions by immunohistochemistry using anti-D2-40 antibody. METHODS AND RESULTS: Normal and pathological renal tissues obtained at autopsy as well as nephrectomy specimens with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were used. Thin sections were immunostained with antibodies against D2-40 and CD31. In normal kidney, D2-40+ lymphatics were abundant in the interstitium around the interlobar and arcuate arteries/veins but sporadic in those around the glomeruli or between the tubules in the cortex. A few lymphatics contained erythrocytes in their lumina. Lymphatics were seldom present in the medulla. In RCC cases, lymphatics were evident at the tumour margin, whereas CD31+ capillaries were abundant throughout the tumour and lymphatics were increased in the fibrous interstitium around the tumour. Lymphatic invasion by RCC cells was also detectable. D2-40+ lymphatics were evident in other pathological conditions and end-stage kidney had a denser lymphatic distribution than normal kidney. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphatics are abundant around the arteries/veins and are also present in the renal cortex and medulla. D2-40 immunostaining is helpful for investigating the pathophysiological role of renal lymphatics.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Co-production of vascular endothelial cadherin and inducible nitric oxide synthase by endothelial cells in periapical granuloma.

AIM: To clarify the mechanisms of inflammatory cell migration in human periapical granulomas by examining vascular endothelial (VE) cadherin and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-producing cells. METHODOLOGY: Periapical tissues were obtained from patients during endodontic surgery and were divided into two portions. After fixing the tissues with acetone or 4% paraformaldehyde in phosphate-buffered saline, 5-microm-thick paraffin or cryostat sections were prepared, respectively. The paraffin sections of the inflamed tissues were evaluated histologically with haematoxylin-eosin stains. Cryostat sections of the tissue, diagnosed as periapical granulomas, were then examined by either immunohistochemistry using anti-human VE-cadherin or iNOS antibodies (Abs) for the characterization of infiltrating cells. In addition, co-localization of VE-cadherin and iNOS production was also analysed by two-colour immunofluorescence image analysis. RESULTS: Endothelial cells were strongly stained with iNOS Abs. Macrophages, lymphocytes, polymorphonuclear leucocytes and fibroblasts also exhibited iNOS production. These iNOS-positive cells accumulated around the blood vessels. On the other hand, VE-cadherin production was exhibited in only endothelial cells. Two-colour immunofluorescence image analysis using VE-cadherin and iNOS Abs demonstrated that iNOS-producing endothelial cells also showed VE-cadherin production. CONCLUSIONS: Vascular endothelial-cadherin produced by endothelial cells could be regulated by iNOS-producing cells in periapical granulomas and might play a pivotal role in vascular permeability.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Effect of mineral trioxide aggregate on proliferation of cultured human dental pulp cells.

AIM: To investigate the effect of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) on the proliferation of human dental pulp (HDP) cells ex-vivo. METHODOLOGY: Human dental pulp cells were cultured with MTA or calcium hydroxide-containing cement (Dycal) using culture plate inserts. Control cells were cultured with culture plate inserts only. Cell proliferation was measured for up to 14 days using a Cell Counting kit, and the concentration of calcium ions released from the tested materials was assessed using a Calcium E-test kit. To confirm that the effect of MTA was attributable to released calcium ions, cell proliferation was measured in the presence of exogenous calcium chloride as a source of calcium ions while in the absence of MTA. RESULTS: Mineral trioxide aggregate significantly stimulated cell proliferation after 12 days, whereas Dycal had no such effect. The number of calcium ions released from MTA was significantly higher than that released from Dycal. Following the addition of calcium chloride, cell proliferation increased in a dose-dependent manner after 12 days. Moreover, cell proliferation showed a similar pattern whether a given concentration of calcium ions was produced by calcium chloride or by release from MTA. CONCLUSIONS: In this ex-vivo study, the elution components such as calcium ions from MTA had higher proliferation ability of HDP cells than control and Dycal.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Bronchogenic glomangiomyoma with local intravenous infiltration.

Most glomus tumours occur in the dermis and subcutaneous tissues. Lung glomus tumours are quite rare. The current authors present the first reported case of a lung-derived glomangiomyoma, the rarest variant of glomus tumour. A 56-yr-old female was admitted with haemoptysis. Chest computed tomography showed an approximately 5-cm-diameter mass in the right lower lobe with mucoid impaction. After a right lower lobectomy, a diagnosis of glomangiomyoma was made. The tumour had grown endobronchially and its maximal diameter was 5.5 cm. Although cytologically benign, glomus tumour cells had visibly infiltrated neighbouring vessels. These results suggest that a bronchogenic glomangiomyoma has a low-grade malignancy potential and warrants close follow-up.

Carcinoma, Bronchogenic↗
PubMed2005

Expression of uncoupling protein and alternative oxidase depends on lipid or carbohydrate substrates in thermogenic plants.

Thermogenesis, in which cellular respiratory activity is considerably stimulated, requires mitochondrial uncoupling protein (UCP) in mammals and an alternative oxidase (AOX) in plants. Here, we show that the genes for both proteins are expressed in thermogenic plants, but the type correlates with the respiratory substrate. A novel gene termed PsUCPa encoding a variant of UCP was specifically expressed in thermogenic flowers of Philodendron selloum, which uses lipids as substrates. However, a gene termed DvAOX encoding for AOX protein was expressed in thermogenic flowers of Dracunculus vulgaris, which presumably uses carbohydrates as substrates. These findings suggest that cellular metabolism is a major determinant in selective expression of appropriate thermogenic genes in plants.

Araceae↗
PubMed2005

Pressure-induced superconductivity in noncentrosymmetric heavy-fermion CeRhSi3.

We report the pressure-induced superconductivity in the noncentrosymmetric heavy-fermion CeRhSi3. The superconductivity emerges above about 12 kbar even though the antiferromagnetic ordering persists. Furthermore, another anomaly is observed in the superconducting phase. The anomalous magnetic field-temperature phase diagram with a high upper critical field suggests that an unconventional superconductivity is realized in CeRhSi3.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Oscillator strength and linewidth measurements of dipole-allowed transitions in 14N2 between 93.5 and 99.5 nm.

Line oscillator strengths in 16 electric dipole-allowed bands of 14N2 in the 93.5-99.5 nm (106,950-100,500 cm(-1)) region have been measured at an instrumental resolution of 6.5 x 10(-4) nm (0.7 cm(-1)). The transitions terminate on vibrational levels of the 3psigma 1Sigma u (+), 3ppi 1Pi u, and 3ssigma 1Pi u Rydberg states and of the b' 1Sigma u (+) and b 1Pi u valence states. The J dependences of band f values derived from the experimental line f values are reported as polynomials in J'(J'+1) and are extrapolated to J'=0 in order to facilitate comparisons with results of coupled-Schrodinger-equation calculations that do not take into account rotational interactions. Most bands in this study reveal a marked J dependence of the f values and/or display anomalous P-, Q- and R-branch intensity patterns. These patterns should help inform future spectroscopic models that incorporate rotational effects, and these are critical for the construction of realistic atmospheric radiative transfer models. Linewidth measurements are reported for four bands. Information provided by the J dependences of the experimental linewidths should be of use in the development of a more complete understanding of the predissociation mechanisms in N2.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Characterization of lipoxygenase-1 null mutants in barley.

This study describes the discovery and characterization of lipoxygenase-1 (LOX-1) null mutants in barley. Six lines did not exhibit any significant LOX activity in the silenced seed extract. Immunological analysis showed that these lines lacked the authentic LOX-1 protein. Genetic analysis of the F2 population revealed that this trait was governed by a single recessive gene located at the LoxA locus on chromosome 4H. The six LOX-1 null mutants shared similar features and the same unique polymorphism in a structural gene region, implying that these mutants might be derived from the same ancestral origin.

Blotting, Southern↗
PubMed2005

Dissociation processes of Kr2(+) and Kr3(+) studied by threshold photoelectron-photoion coincidence measurements.

A time-of-flight (TOF) ion mass spectrum in coincidence with threshold photoelectrons was measured in the photon energy region between the first and second dissociation limits of Kr2(+) to examine the decay processes of the Kr2(+) II(1/2u) state. The measured TOF spectrum reveals that Kr+ fragment ions are produced through dissociation of the repulsive I(1/2g) state, which can be formed by the decay process of the II(1/2u) state accompanied with emission of photons. The potential-energy curve of the I(1/2g) state is deduced with detailed analysis of the observed TOF spectrum, in which the radiative lifetime of the II(1/2u) state was also derived to be 2.5 micros. Additionally, evidence of the dissociation process of Kr3(+) ions was obtained in the same photon energy region, where the dominant channel is Kr3(+) --> Kr2(+) + Kr.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 as a potential marker for the malignancy of colorectal cancer.

To test the hypothesis that plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) may serve as a candidate marker for the malignancy of colorectal cancer (CRC), we performed a quantitative RT-PCR for PAI-1 gene and evaluated the possible relationship between PAI-1 gene expression levels and clinicopathological findings in CRC. A significant increase in PAI-1 expression scores was observed in lymph node metastasis-positive CRCs (2.19 +/- 0.43) compared to negative ones (0.35 +/- 0.42) (P = 0.0037) as well as in distant metastasis-positive CRCs (3.50 +/- 1.18) compared to negative ones (0.99 +/- 0.30). The PAI-1 expression score markedly increased with the tumour stage (P = 0.0063; ANOVA test). Moreover, multivariate analysis revealed the PAI-1 expression score to be a strong and independent prognostic factor for CRC (P = 0.0432). These results suggested that PAI-1 might serve as a new parameter for the prediction of prognoses in CRC.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Decreased expression of haemoglobin beta (HBB) gene in anaplastic thyroid cancer and recovery of its expression inhibits cell growth.

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is one of the most fulminant and foetal diseases in human malignancies. However, the genetic alterations and carcinogenic mechanisms of ATC are still unclear. Recently, we investigated the gene expression profile of 11 anaplastic thyroid cancer cell lines (ACL) and significant decreased expression of haemoglobin beta (HBB) gene in ACL. Haemoglobin beta is located at 11p15.5, where loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was reported in various kinds of cancers, including ATC, and it has been suggested that novel tumour suppressor genes might exist in this region. In order to clarify the meaning of decreased expression of HBB in ATC, the expression status of HBB was investigated with ACL, ATC, papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and normal human tissues. Haemoglobin beta showed significant decreased expression in ACLs and ATCs; however, in PTC, HBB expressed equal to the normal thyroid gland. In addition, HBB expressed in normal human tissues ubiquitously. To validate the tumour-suppressor function of HBB, cell growth assay was performed. Forced expression of HBB in KTA2 cell, which is a kind of ACL, significantly suppressed KTA2 growth. The mechanism of downregulation of HBB in ATC is still unclear; however, our results suggested the possibility of HBB as a novel tumour-suppressor gene.

Carcinoma↗
PubMed2005

Venepuncture is preferable to heel lance for blood sampling in term neonates.

BACKGROUND: The analgesic effect of oral sucrose in newborn infants undergoing painful procedures is generally accepted. For blood sampling, some studies have shown that venepuncture (VP) is less painful than heel lance (HL). OBJECTIVE: To determine the least painful and most effective method among blood sampling by VP or HL with or without sucrose. DESIGN: Randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial. SUBJECTS: A total of 100 healthy, full term newborn infants being screened for inborn errors of metabolism were randomly allocated to one of four experimental groups (25 infants in each). Intervention and OUTCOME MEASURE: Seven specially trained nurses took turns to carry out blood sampling two minutes after administration of oral sucrose or water. Neonatal pain was assessed by the neonatal facial coding system (NFCS), as well as by crying. RESULTS: Without sucrose, the NFCS score was higher in the HL group than the VP group during blood sampling (median 58 v 23, p<0.001). Oral sucrose significantly reduced the score of the HL group (58 v 47, p<0.01) and also tended to reduce the score of the VP group (23 v 2, p<0.1). However, the HL with sucrose group still had a higher score than the VP without sucrose group (47 v 23, p<0.01). Crying and the total procedure time showed the same trends as the NFCS score. CONCLUSIONS: VP is less painful and more effective than HL for blood sampling in newborn infants. Although oral sucrose may have an additive analgesic effect, it is not necessarily required if VP is used for blood sampling.

Analgesics, Non-Narcotic↗
PubMed2005

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-6 inhibits prostate cancer cell proliferation: implication for anticancer effect of diethylstilbestrol in hormone refractory prostate cancer.

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a synthetic oestrogen, and its anticancer effects are exerted in androgen-dependent prostate cancer. The administration of DES decreases serum testosterone to castration levels. However, in androgen-independent prostate cancer patients, who are already orchiectomised, the administration of DES improves symptoms and decreases prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The mechanisms responsible for these direct inhibitory effects have been explained as biological actions not mediated by oestrogen receptors. We assessed the gene expression profiles of prostate cancer cells treated with DES, and investigated direct inhibitory effects of DES. DES inhibited the proliferation of LNCaP and PC-3 cells. cDNA microarray analysis showed that expression of many genes was downregulated by DES. However, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 6 (IGFBP-6) gene expression levels were upregulated in PC-3 cells. IGFBP-6 gene expression and protein levels significantly increased after DES treatment. Recombinant IGFBP-6 inhibited cell proliferation, and the inhibitory effect of DES was neutralised by anti-IGFBP-6 antibody. From the immunohistochemical analysis of IGFBP-6 using biopsy samples from androgen-independent prostate cancer, we found IGFBP-6 expression in androgen independent prostate cancer, and that DES treatment increased the IGFBP-6 staining intensity of the cancer cells in one sample. These findings suggested that DES induces IGFBP-6, which inhibits cell proliferation in an androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line, PC-3. IGFBP-6 therefore might be involved in the direct effects of DES in androgen-independent prostate cancer.

Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal↗