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Biomedical subjects

K Miyagi

Publications and source records attributed to K Miyagi.

150 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Immobilization of microbial cells in a mixed matrix of silicone polymer and calcium alginate gel: epoxidation of 1-octene by Nocardia corallina B-276 in organic media.

Immobilization of Nocardia corallina B-276 was examined for production of 1,2-epoxyoctane from 1-octene in the presence of n-hexadecane as the organic solvent. Hydrophobic silicone polymer was the most suitable material for entrapment of the cells. Coentrapment of aqueous reaction medium into the silicone polymer matrix improved the epoxide productivity. It was also effective to immobilize the cells in a mixed matrix composed of silicone polymer and calcium alginate gel involving the reaction medium. In the organic monophase, the amount of epoxide accumulated with the cells immobilized in an almost equivolumetric composite of both materials was 2 and 7 times the amounts in the silicone and alginate single matrices, respectively, and it became larger than with the free cells in the aqueous-organic two-liquid phase after a longer period of batch operation. The use of such an optimized composite matrix enabled us to perform a relatively simple operation of the continuous three-phase bioreactor.

Alginates↗

Huge IgD plasmacytoma in the abdomen presenting coagulation necrosis.

A 65-year-old Japanese woman was diagnosed in 1996 with a pathological fracture of the left femur caused by immunoglobulin D-type myeloma (IgD myeloma). She responded well to combination chemotherapy followed by irradiation. The patient experienced renal failure and became dependent on haemodialysis. In 1999, large plasmacytomas developed in the abdomen and left humerus. The abdominal tumour appeared to induce gastroduodenal ulcers and jejunal obstruction. We initiated irradiation therapy without chemotherapy to prevent further growth of the plasmacytoma, although treatment-resistant gastroduodenal ulcers developed. Continued blood loss from the gastroduodenal ulcers resulted in a deterioration in the patient's health, which prevented successful haemodialysis. An autopsy showed that the plasmacytoma had undergone coagulation necrosis. We conclude that the use of combination chemotherapy with topical irradiation was an acceptable treatment measure against IgD plasmacytoma; irradiation without chemotherapy was the most likely cause of the coagulation necrosis seen in the plasmacytoma at autopsy.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

Moderate dose-intensive chemotherapy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer: randomized trial, can it improve survival of patients with good performance status?

Advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has proven to be remarkably resistant to standard chemotherapy regimens. One potential alternative approach is the use of dose-intensive chemotherapy with supportive therapy such as granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). We conducted a randomized study of dose-intensive cisplatin/vindesine/mitomycin C chemotherapy (DI-PVM) and standard cisplatin/vindesine/mitomycin C chemotherapy (PVM). A total of one hundred patients with III-IV NSCLC was randomized. The DI-PVM consisted of 3 cycles of cisplatin: 80 mg/m2 (day 1), vindesine: 3 mg/m2 (days 1 and 8) and mitomycin C: 8 mg/m2 (day 1) in 3-week intervals with concurrent G-CSF. The PVM consisted of 2 cycles of the same chemotherapy in 4-week intervals. Blood cell counts were checked twice a week, and G-CSF (2 microgram/kg, SC) was administered when the count was </=2000/microliter. Eligibility criteria for this study were: no previous therapy, no active concomitant malignancy, ECOG PS </=1, age </=75 and adequate hematologic functions. The response rate for DI-PVM (26/50, 52%) was not significantly higher than that for PVM (22/50, 44%, chi2; p=0.423). However, progression-free survival for patients on DI-PVM was significantly longer than that of patients on PVM (23.7 versus 13.9 weeks, log-rank and generalized Wilcoxon test; p=0.006), as was overall median survival (57.0 versus 37.7 weeks, generalized Wilcoxon test; p=0.036). In addition, the difference in survival of patients with metastatic disease was significant (DI-PVM versus PVM; 48.9 weeks versus 23.9; p=0.032). Multivariate analysis showed that only ECOG PS was an independent prognostic variable in predicting response and survival on DI-PVM regimen. Hematological and non-hematological toxicities were equally frequent. The DI-PVM archived a longer survival than the PVM. The DI-PVM regimen should be considered a standard regimen for patients with metastatic NSCLC.

Adult↗

A patient with improvement in short-term memory disturbance brought about by radiation therapy for germinoma involving Papez circuit.

A 27-year-old male presented with memory loss. With magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), enhanced masses on the right side of hypothalamus, right side of anterior basal ganglia, and left side of hypothalamus were found. Histological analysis of the tumor by stereotactic biopsy proved it to be a germinoma. When related to the map of the thalamic nuclei, the tumor involved anterior column of the fornix and anterior nuclei of the thalamus. Neuropsychological tests prior to radiation therapy disclosed only short-term memory disturbance. The patient received radiation therapy to a total dose of 55 Gy to the primary lesion. After the completion of radiation therapy, the enhanced effect disappeared on gadolinium enhanced T1-weighted MRI. Single photon emission computed tomography indicated improvement in blood flow in the anterior portion of the bilateral thalami. Neuropsychological tests after radiation therapy showed improvement in short-term memory compared with baseline. Test results have remained stable for two and half years. This case indicates the possibility of improvement in memory function by treatment for tumor when it involves part of Papez circuit. Nevertheless, a decrease in intellectual ability by irradiation remains the major problem. Better approaches not only for cure but also to reduce the late effects should be undertaken when radiation therapy is the treatment of choice.

Adult↗

Wernicke encephalopathy: follow-up study by CT and MR.

A follow-up study by CT and MR of a case of Wernicke encephalopathy is reported. In the early stages, CT and MR revealed a characteristic topographical distribution of lesions in the midbrain, pons, and thalami. In the later stages, MR showed atrophy of the mamillary bodies and midbrain tegmentum and dilatation of the third ventricle. Both CT and MR are useful tools for the diagnosis of Wernicke encephalopathy in the early stages.

Female↗