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Biomedical subjects

K Nakano

Publications and source records attributed to K Nakano.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

Increased expression of CD44 variants in differentiated thyroid cancers.

Expression of CD44 variants in thyroid tumors was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with a fluorescent image analyzer. Increased expression of CD44 variants compared with normal thyroid tissues was observed in most thyroid follicular tumors, especially in follicular carcinomas, poorly differentiated papillary carcinomas and some follicular adenomas. However, variants were hardly detectable in an anaplastic carcinoma. Analysis with restriction enzymes revealed that the major PCR product, consisting of variant bands, was derived from CD44E. Therefore, the expression of CD44E may be associated with the proliferation of differentiated thyroid cells.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗

Transurethral balloon laser thermotherapy: effects of a directionally shielded balloon in canine prostates.

BACKGROUND: Transurethral balloon laser thermotherapy (TUBAL-T) improves objective, but not subjective, symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We studied whether or not an Nd:YAG laser beam with a shielded balloon could successfully irradiate the prostate during TUBAL-T in selective manner, to improve the subjective symptoms. METHODS: TUBAL-T was performed on canine prostates using the balloon with a laser probe, which was shielded anteriorly at 90 degrees (from the center of the balloon) and posteriorly at 90 degrees. RESULTS: At 20 watts laser power, the relative power density in the bilateral non-shielded areas was 17.4 and 17.8, and in the shielded area it was 1.0. Observation by thermography revealed that the temperature after laser radiation in a non-shielded area of a fish cake phantom was higher than in a shielded area. Following transurethral thermotherapy using a shielded balloon in dogs, a cavity was formed bilaterally around the urethra, and the tissues at the anteroposterior sides and the urethra were preserved. CONCLUSIONS: TUBAL-T, which has been performed in clinical cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia, might be useful in selective irradiation of adenoma if a shielded balloon is used.

Animals↗

Acute renal failure in a patient with chronic glomerulonephritis after the administration of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue given for rectal obstruction due to prostate cancer.

We report a case in which rectal obstruction due to prostate cancer was exacerbated due to an ileus after the administration of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue. The obstruction to led to copious vomiting, dehydration and renal failure which necessitated hemodialysis. Improvement of the patient was noted four weeks after the start of hormonal treatment with a decrease in rectal obstruction concomitant with decreases in testosterone and prostate specific antigen levels.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Oral sustained-release cisplatin capsule.

An oral sustained-release cisplatin preparation was prepared by combining microporous water-insoluble pharmaceutical polymer, ethylcellulose, a membrane and a gel-forming polymer, poly(acrylic) acid (Carbopol). As cisplatin is an extremely hydrophilic and small compound, it was difficult to control the release rate solely by the micropores on the ethylcellulose capsule. To retain cisplatin within the capsule, gel-forming polymer was formulated inside the capsule. The release rate of cisplatin was dependent both on the number of micropores of the capsule and the formulated amount of Carbopol. The number of micropores ranged from 20 and 30 to 60, and the formulated amount of Carbopol varied from 15 to 100 mg. In-vitro release experiments suggested that the release rate decreased as the formulated amount of Carbopol increased when the pore number was 60 and 30. However, when pore number was decreased to 20, the effect of the amount of Carbopol was not clearly observed. In the in-vivo study using rabbits, the sustained-release cisplatin capsule was evaluated in comparison with solution after oral administration of 20 mg drug. With the pore number of 60, Cmax was 0.46 +/- 0.02 microgram mL-1 at 4 h and thereafter serum concentrations declined rapidly. When the pore number was 30, serum cisplatin level-time profiles showed long-acting patterns and AUC was reversely correlated with the formulated amount of Carbopol. Cmax and tmax were 0.41 +/- 0.02 microgram mL-1 and 3.33 +/- 0.88 h, respectively and 0.23 +/- 0.01 microgram mL-1 was obtained at 24 h after oral administration of capsule having 30 pores and 15 mg of Carbopol. We conclude that the possibility of developing an oral sustained-release cisplatin preparation is feasible.

Acrylic Resins↗

Polymorphisms of the TAP1 and TAP2 transporter genes in Japanese SLE.

OBJECTIVE: To determine how polymorphism of transporter associated with antigen processing 1 and 2 (TAP1 and 2) alleles contributed to the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Japanese patients. METHODS: TAP1 and TAP2 typing was carried out in 52 Japanese patients with SLE and 95 normal subjects by the PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) method. HLA-DR typing and HLA-DRB1*15 genotyping were carried out by the PCR method and PCR-SSCP (single stranded DNA conformation polymorphism) method, respectively. RESULTS: No particular TAP 1 allele was associated with Japanese SLE or with immunological subgroup of SLE. TAP2H showed a tendency towards increased frequency in SLE (5.8% v 0% in control), but the corrected P value was not significant. No other particular association of TAP2 allele was observed. Furthermore, these was no evidence for linkage disequilibrium between any TAP1/TAP2 alleles and HLA-DRB1*1501--which is reported to be weakly but significantly association with Japanese SLE--in either the normal control or the SLE patient group. CONCLUSIONS: Neither the TAP1 nor the TAP2 gene appears to determine disease susceptibility to SLE in Japanese, and these results are in keeping with those reported in Caucasian SLE patients.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Diabetic renal failure and serum accumulation of the creatinine oxidative metabolites creatol and methylguanidine.

Diabetic patients (n = 23) with chronic renal failure (CRF) accumulate the creatinine (Cr) oxidative metabolites creatol (CTL) and methylguanidine (MG; a uremic toxin) in their sera. Analysis of serum CTL, a key intermediate in mammalian Cr catabolism into MG, is shown to offer some useful diagnostic information on CRF, especially in the determination of an initial stage of pathological renal failure. The sera of all diabetic (n = 23) and nondiabetic (n = 20) patients with CRF (s-Cr > 1.25 mg/dl) contained s-CTL (> 2 micrograms/dl), whereas those from normal subjects (n = 18) and diabetic patients (n = 18) without CRF contained no detectable s-CTL. A similar accumulation of s-MG was observed, but only when s-Cr was higher than 2.0 mg/dl. Although each s-CTL (Y: microgram/dl, Y': mol/l) and s-MG level (Z: microgram/dl, Z': mol/l) is highly correlated with s-Cr (X: mg/dl, X': mol/l) in a normal equation, Y or Z = AX + B, an alternative correlation in a second-order equation, Y or Z = alpha X2 + beta X, could also fit well. Since the quadratic equation can be convertible to Y/X or Z/X = alpha X + beta [Y'/X' or Z'/X' = alpha' X+ beta'] and active oxygen species, especially hydroxyl radicals, convert Cr into CTL, Y/X, Y'/X', Z/X and Z'/X' values which might be a kind of indices for oxygen stress (oxidative stress) increased in proportion to the increased severity of CRF in such patients. Although its meaning and interpretation are still debatable, diabetic CRF patients had a significantly higher alpha' value (2.2) than that (0.89) of nondiabetic CRF patients. All serum values for Cr, CTL and MG were measured with HPLC.

Creatinine↗

[Chronotropic effects of alpha-agonist on the rat isolated right atria].

This study was performed to investigate whether or not alpha-adrenergic stimulation exerts a chronotropic effect on the heart. Isolated right atria of rats were used. Phenylephrine (10(-5)-10(-4) mol/l), an alpha-agonist, did not affect the rate of the atrial beat under treatment with propranolol (1 x 10(-6) mol/l), a beta-blocker. When the atrial rate was increased to approximately double by treatment with isoproterenol (1 x 10(-8) mol/l) or forskolin (1 x 10(-6) mol/l), phenylephrine at the same doses significantly reduced the rate by about 6%. This effect was blocked by phentolamine (1 x 10(-6) mol/l). These results suggest that alpha-adrenoceptors function to reduce heart rate in the atria, of which rate is raised through intracellular cAMP activity.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

Outbreaks of fowl cholera in Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata) on a farm in Aomori Prefecture.

Outbreaks of a subacute disease characterized by lameness, corneal turbidity, dysstasia and depression occurred in Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata) on a farm in Aomori Prefecture in February and May 1991. Nine strains of Pasteurella multocida were isolated from 5 to 6 dead ducks, and 4 of 8 ducks with clinical signs. Serotypes of the isolates were identified as Heddleston's serotype 1, 10 or 12 and Namioka's serotypes 5:A, 8:A, 9:A or 9:UT. These isolates were highly susceptible to 12 antibiotics, although, some of them were considerably resistant to chloramphenicol. Mouse LD50 values of the 9 isolates ranged from 10(1.0) to 10(5.3). The most virulent strain for the mouse killed 2 to 4 ducks when inoculated intramuscularly at a concentration of 10(3.3). This is the first report of outbreaks of fowl cholera in Muscovy ducks infected with various serotypes strains of P. multocida in Japan.

Animals↗

Expression of the MAGE-1, -2, -3, -4, and -6 genes in non-squamous cell carcinoma lesions of the head and neck.

The messenger RNA level of several MAGE genes, some of which have been proven to encode tumor rejection antigens recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes, were examined in 41 benign and malignant lesions of the head and neck region. By a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay and Southern blot hybridization, MAGE-1, -2, -3, -4, and -6 genes were expressed in 25%, 41.7%, 33.3%, 8.3% and 33.3% of 12 non-squamous cell carcinomas, respectively. These tumors consisted of 6 papillary adenocarcinomas, 3 adenoid cystic carcinomas, 2 adenocarcinomas, and 1 mucoepidermoid tumor. Of 7 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, one case from the oropharynx and 2 from the nasopharynx expressed for the MAGE-1 and MAGE-2 genes, respectively. In contrast, none of 12 benign tumors expressed any of these MAGE genes. Interestingly, of 10 other lesions including hyperplasia, keratosis, and ulcer, one histologically diagnosed as dysplasia expressed the MAGE-2, -3, -4, and -6 genes. These results suggest that the MAGE genes may be expressed in malignant tumors and precancerous lesions but not in benign tumors. In addition, non-squamous cell carcinomas may be suitable targets for specific immunotherapy against MAGE gene products.

Adenocarcinoma, Papillary↗

[Concurrent high-dose thoracic irradiation plus daily low-dose cisplatin and vindesine in locally advanced unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer].

Patients with unresectable non small-cell lung cancer were treated to evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of high-dose thoracic irradiation (RT) combined with concurrent daily cisplatin plus vindesine. Fourteen evaluable patients with unresectable stage III non small-cell lung cancer treated with continuous-course RT (70 Gy in 35 fractions of 2 Gy once daily) and concurrent daily intravenous cisplatin (6 mg/m2) plus vindesine (3 mg/m2 on day 1 and day 8). The objective response rate was 86%, and two patients achieved a radiographic complete response. Leukocytopenia was the severe toxicity, but there were no episodes of discontinuation of treatment. Only one patient had grade 3 acute radiation esophagitis. Ten patients experienced late radiation pneumonitis and nine of those had grade 1 or grade 2. There was only one life-threatening case of toxicity (grade 5 pneumonitis). We concluded that the regimen of high-dose thoracic RT combined with concurrent daily cisplatin plus vindesine obtained a high response rate. Further testing on late toxicities and survival time is required.

Aged↗

[Valvular surgery in the patients more than 70 years old].

One hundred twenty-eight valvular surgeries in patients over 70-year-old were reviewed (AVR:58, MVR:38, AVR and MVR: 11, mitral valvuloplasty (MVP): 11, AVR + MVP:11, mitral valvuloplasty (MVP): 11, AVR + MVP: 8, others: 2). Concomitant CABG was performed in 7, Maze in 6, TVR in 5 and Bentall in 3 cases. Early deaths occurred in 17 patients (13%). The early mortality was 5% in AVR, 21% MVR, 18% in AVR and MVR, 0% in MVP and 38% in AVR and MVP. Late death occurred in 16 patients. Forty-three percent of the late deaths were cardiac death. The actuarial survival at 10 years was around 50% in all groups. In the aortic position, a mechanical valve was implanted in 47 cases and a bioprosthetic valve was implanted in 33 cases. In the mitral position, the mechanical valve was implanted in 37 cases and the bioprosthetic valve was implanted in 12 cases. The event free rate after AVR at 10 years was 37% in patients with the mechanical valve (3 cerebral hemorrhage, 2 PVE, 1 thromboembolism and 1 sudden death) and 46% in patients with the bioprosthetic valve (2 PVE and 1 primary tissue failure). The event free rate after MVR at 10 years was 84% in patients with mechanical valves (1 perivalvular leak, 1 PVE and 1 sudden death) and 75% in patients with bioprosthetic valves (1 PVE and 1 sudden death). Between mechanical valve group and bioprosthesis group, no statistically significance was found in the event free curve after AVR nor MVR. There was no valve related event after MVP. Considering the better durability of bioprostheses in the aortic position than in the mitral position, the presence of atrial fibrillation and necessity of warfarin anticoagulation, we conclude that a choice of a bioprosthetic valve could be acceptable in the aortic position, but may not be recommended in the mitral position.

Aged↗

Valve replacement with the CarboMedics bileaflet mechanical prosthesis: clinical results at midterm.

OBJECTIVE: We study the clinical midterm results of the valve replacement with the CarboMedics bileaflet mechanical prosthesis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study. Institutional practice (National Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan). PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: 167 CarboMedics prostheses were implanted in 144 patients from April, 1990 and December, 1993. Of these, 77 patients underwent isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR), 45 patients underwent isolated mitral valve replacement (MVR), 21 patients underwent double (aortic and mitral) valve replacement (DVR), and one patient underwent triple (aortic, mitral and tricuspid) valve replacement (TVR). MEASURES: Events were defined in accordance with the guidelines for reporting morbidity and mortality after cardiac valve operations of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons/American Association for Thoracic Surgery.

Aortic Valve↗

[Anticoagulant related hemorrhage and thromboembolism after valvular surgery].

We reviewed anticoagulant related hemorrhage (ACRH) and thromboembolism (TE) in 84 patients after valvular surgery. There were 45 females and 39 males with a mean age of 51.8 years (range 30.5-71.2 years), who underwent valvuloplasty in 14, bioprosthetic valve replacements in 17, mechanical valve replacements in 13. A mean period from the operation to the event were 2.7 years (range 0.01-12.3 years). There were 25 ACRH events after one valvuloplasty, 4 bioprosthetic valve replacements, 20 mechanical valve replacements. About half of them, the prothrombin time were less than 25%, which was considered the effect of warfarin is high, and 8% of them had infective endocarditis (IE) previously. There were 59 TE events after 13 valvuloplasties, 13 bioprosthetic valve replacements, 33 mechanical valve replacements. In the patients with atrial fibrillation, TE occurred irrespective of operative procedures. And in the patients with mechanical valve, severely impaired left ventricular function and past history of IE, thrombi of left ventricule were caused of TE. It was suggested that past history of IE was a risk factor ACRH and TE, and severely depressed left ventricular function and atrial fibrillation were for TE.

Adult↗

[Effect of timing of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor administration on leukopenia induced by systemic chemotherapy in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer--multi-center randomized crossover study].

Sixty-six chemotherapy-naive patients with non-small-cell carcinoma of the lung were given two courses of systemic chemotherapy consisting of mitomycin C, vindesine, and cisplatin. The effect of the timing of administration of grannulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on the incidence of neutropenic fever, the nadir leukocyte count, the duration of neutropenia ( < or = 1000/mm3), and the time needed for recovery from neutropenia was studied. Patients were assigned at random to begin receiving G-CSF (50 microns/m2, subcutaneously) either when the leukocyte count was less than or equal to 1000/mm3 (group I) or when it was between 1000/mm3 and 2000/mm3 (group II), in a crossover fashion. The nadir leukocyte count was lower in group I than in group II (859/mm3 and 1215/mm3, respectively). The duration of leukopenia (defined as a leukocyte count less than or equal to 1000/mm3) was greater in group I than in group II (1.5 days and 0.8 day, respectively), as was the time needed for recovery to a leukocyte count of 2000/mm3 (1.9 days and 1.6 days, respectively) (p < 0.05). No differences were found in the incidence of neutropenic fever (group I: 44%, group Ii: 45%), in the duration of fever (group I: 2.3 days, group II: 2.8 days), or in the duration of G-CSF use (group I: 6.3 days, group II: 6.8 days). There were no treatment-related deaths in either group. We conclude that when this type of combination chemotherapy is given for non-small-cell carcinoma of the lung, administration of G-CSF can be postponed without clinical problems until the leukocyte count is less than of equal to 1000/mm3.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Contrast enhancement of PC-3 prostate cancer for magnetic resonance imaging: animal studies using tumor-localizing Mn-metalloporphyrin (THF-Mn-Asp).

PURPOSE: The objective of the present study was to test, in nude mouse PC-3 tumors, the contrast enhancement of 2,4-bis(1-tetrahydro-fulfuroxyethyl)-deuteroporphynyl(IX)-6- 7-bisaspartic acid (THF-Mn-ASP), which is a hematoporphyrin derivative and depresses T1 relaxation time on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: THF-Mn-ASP or gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) was intravenously administered, and MR imaging of the tumors transplanted into nude mice was performed on T1-weighted images. RESULTS: After administration of THF-Mn-Asp, the signal intensity of PC-3 tumors increased and the tumor/muscle intensity ratio was highest at about 1 hour. The tumor/muscle intensity ratio, in contrast, was highest at about 5 minutes after administration of Gd-DTPA. The increase in intensity ratio was 32% in THF-Mn-ASP and 28% in Gd-DTPA. CONCLUSION: The preliminary study suggested that THF-Mn-Asp has a predilection to accumulate in PC-3 tumors, and it seems to provide good contrast enhancement with tumor specificity for MR imaging.

Animals↗

Association of specific amino acid sequence of HLA-DR with rheumatoid arthritis in Koreans and its diagnostic value.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association of susceptibility epitopes and alleles of HLA-DRB1 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Koreans. METHODS: We performed HLA-DRB1 epitope typing in 61 patients and 82 controls using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) oligonucleotide hybridization, and HLA-DR4, DR1, and DR8 alleles were characterized by PCR single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). RESULTS: The frequency of HLA-DR4 was significantly increased in patients with RA compared with controls (61 vs 29%; RR = 3.7, p < 0.0001). Epitope analysis revealed that susceptibility sequences in Korean patients with RA were 70QRRA74A (52 vs 21%; RR = 4.2, p < 0.0001) and 70QKRA74A (10 vs 1%; RR = 8.8, p < 0.05). The frequency of patients carrying either QRRAA or QKRAA at the 70-74 position on the HLA-DR beta 1 molecule was significantly increased compared with controls (57 vs 22%; RR = 4.8, p < 0.0001). Genotypical analysis showed that DRB1*0405 and *0401 were the DR4 alleles associated with RA in Koreans (RR = 9.4, p < 0.00005; RR = 8.8, p < 0.05, respectively). No significant differences were noted for other alleles including DRB1*0404 and DRB1*0101. QRRAA epitope typing was considered to have some diagnostic value for early RA. CONCLUSION: Our observation indicates that a shared sequence 70QR(K)RA74A, especially in HLA-DR4 subtypes, is strongly associated with RA in the Korean population. Additionally, the importance of DRB1*0405 in the pathogenesis of RA in East Asian ethnic groups was confirmed. These data suggest that not only the specific amino acid sequences but also the whole structure of the HLA-DR beta 1 molecule are important with regard to susceptibility to RA.

Adult↗