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Biomedical subjects

K Suga

Publications and source records attributed to K Suga.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

cDNA cloning and genomic organization of peroxisome proliferator-inducible long-chain acyl-CoA hydrolase from rat liver cytosol.

The cDNA for a peroxisome proliferator-inducible long-chain acyl-CoA hydrolase from rat liver cytosol, referred to as rLACH2, was isolated and its genomic structure was determined. The cDNA encoded a 419-amino-acid polypeptide with a calculated molecular weight of 46,011. Sequence analysis identified an active-site serine motif (Gly-x-Ser-x-Gly) common to carboxylesterases and lipases. When expressed in Escherichia coli, the cDNA directed expression of a protein immunoreactive to an anti-rLACH2 antibody with a molecular mass of 47 kDa, identical to that of purified rLACH2. Northern blot analysis showed marked induction of rLACH2 mRNA in the liver after feeding rats with di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, a peroxisome proliferator. The rLACH2 gene spanned about 19 kb and comprised 3 exons, the intron/exon boundaries of which were consistent with the donor/acceptor splice rule. A putative peroxisome proliferator response element (AGGTCATGGTTCA) was identified in the 5'-flanking region, suggesting the involvement of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors in the regulation of rLACH2 gene expression.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Cancer inhibition by green tea.

Green tea is now an acknowledged cancer preventive in Japan. This paper discusses several important features of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the main constituent of green tea and tea polyphenols. EGCG and other tea polyphenols inhibited growth of human lung cancer cell line, PC-9 cells with G2/M arrest. 3H-EGCG administered by p.o. intubation into mouse stomach revealed that small amounts of 3H-activity were found in various organs where EGCG and green tea extract had previously demonstrated their anticarcinogenic effects, such as skin, stomach, duodenum, colon, liver, lung and pancreas. Cancer onset of patients who had consumed over 10 cups of green tea per day was 8.7 years later among females and 3.0 years later among males, compared with patients who had consumed under three cups per day. The mechanisms of action of EGCG were briefly discussed with regard to inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) release.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1998

Abnormal brain perfusion demonstrated by Tc-99m MAA total-body scan in two children with complex congenital heart disease.

This paper describes abnormal brain perfusion unexpectedly demonstrated by Tc-99m MAA total-body imaging in two children with intracardiac right-to-left shunt (RLS) associated with complex congenital heart disease. One child was a 12-year-old girl with asplenia cardiac syndrome and multiple cerebral infarctions caused by thromboembolism in the internal carotid artery, and the other child was a 6-month-old boy who developed focal cerebral infarction following shunt operation. In both children, the total-body imaging depicted the brain due to RLS, where radioactivity decreased unilaterally in the cerebral hemisphere. In the first patient, radioactivity also decreased in the contralateral cerebellum, suggesting the crossed cerebellar diaschisis phenomenon. These abnormalities in brain perfusion were confirmed by Tc-99m HMPAO brain SPECT. Careful review of the distribution of the radiotracer in the depicted brain on Tc-99m MAA total-body imaging may provide important information regarding brain perfusion in some patients with a high risk of stroke complication associated with RLS.

Brain↗
PubMed1998

201Tl SPECT as an indicator for early prediction of therapeutic effects in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

This study retrospectively investigated the good parameters on thallium-201 chloride (201Tl) SPECT for early assessment of the therapeutic effects in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Based on tumor response as determined by chest CT scan about 9 weeks after the end of irradiation with adjuvant chemotherapy, the subjects were divided to the responder group (tumor regression > 50%, n = 13) and non-responder group (tumor regression < 50%, n = 13). 201Tl SPECT was performed before and at the halfway through the course of therapy (average tumor dose, 27.4 Gy +/- 4.5) in all the patients. SPECT was conducted twice 15 min (early scan) and 120 min (delayed scan) after intravenous injection of 148 MBq (4 mCi) of 201Tl. Tumor-to-contralateral normal lung tissue count ratios on both scans were calculated as early and delayed uptake ratios (EUR and DUR), and a retention index (RI) was also derived from these ratios. In the responder group, a significant decrease in DUR and RI halfway through the therapy was observed compared to pretreatment (2.6 +/- 0.6 vs. 3.5 +/- 1.0; p < 0.01, and -2.3% +/- 25.5 vs. 37.4% +/- 17.8; p < 0.001, respectively), even though EUR did not change significantly (N.S.). By contrast, in the non-responder group, there were no significant changes in any of these parameters (N.S.). When comparing DUR and RI for the two groups halfway through the therapy, DUR and RI were significantly lower in the responder group (both; p < 0.01), but no significant difference was noted in EUR (N.S.), and the percent reduction in tumor size did not correlate with the percent decrease in DUR or RI (N.S.). These results indicate that the extent of decrease in DUR and RI after therapy can be a useful parameter for early assessment of the therapeutic effects in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Preliminary application of dynamic pulmonary xenon-133 single-photon emission tomography in the evaluation of patients with pulmonary emphysema for thoracoscopic lung volume reduction surgery.

Dynamic pulmonary xenon-133 single-photon emission tomography (SPET) with three-dimensional (3D) displays was preliminarily applied to select resection targets for thoracoscopic lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) and to assess regional ventilatory changes following surgery. Dynamic SPET was performed using a triple-detector SPET system in 14 patients with pulmonary emphysema before and after LVRS. After reconstructing colour-illuminated, surface-rendered 3D images of equilibrium (EQ) and 3-min washout (WO3), a single 3D fusion display was created from these two different time-course image sets, in which the 3D WO3 image indicating 133Xe retention was visible through the overlying 3D EQ image delineating lung contours. Volumetric extent of retention on this display was quantified by a 133Xe retention index, defined as the ratio (%) of total pixel numbers of segmented 3-min WO data to those of EQ data. 133Xe SPET and appropriately thresholded 3D displays efficiently localized a total of 36 retention sites; 19 (52.7%) of these sites were not localized by CT because they were within the widely or homogeneously spreading non-bullous emphysematous lung tissues. The 3D displays enhanced the perception of anatomical configurations and the extent of 133Xe retention compared with multislice tomograms. Postoperatively, 3D fusion display visualized the details of regional changes in retention, and changes in the retention index on the 3D display with a standardized threshold correlated well with changes in 133Xe clearance time (T1/2) and %FEV1 (r = 0.881 and 0. 856, respectively; P<0.0001). This preliminary study indicates that 133Xe SPET and appropriately thresholded, topographic 3D displays are of potential use in selecting resection targets for LVRS, and in evaluating the treatment effects on regional ventilation.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Cataract surgery in a patient with severe chronic iritis and corneal endothelial damage.

We report a patient with broad anterior synechias and corneal endothelial damage. The patient had chronic iritis and cataracts secondary to chronic iritis in both eyes. Because the right eye had broad anterior synechias and severe corneal endothelial damage, extracapsular cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation were performed through the basal iris. Good postoperative visual acuity was obtained. The cornea showed little trauma from the surgery and remained clear 36 months postoperatively.

Cataract↗
PubMed1998

Comparison of ciliary sulcus fixation techniques for posterior chamber intraocular lenses.

OBJECTIVE: To anatomically and histologically evaluate suturing techniques for sulcus fixation of posterior chamber intraocular lenses. SETTING: Kitano Hospital, Osaka, Japan. METHODS: The reproducibility of three suturing techniques (perpendicular to the eye wall; parallel to the iris; midway between perpendicular to the eye wall and parallel to the iris) were evaluated in a postmortem eye. Histologic sections of another eye and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) images of 21 normal eyes were evaluated to determine the safety zone for the needle to avoid damaging adjacent structures. RESULTS: The ciliary sulcus was completely penetrated in the three techniques in 100, 40, and 70% of cases, respectively. The histologic sections and the UBM images showed that when sutures were placed perpendicular to the eye wall, there was the possibility of postoperative angle closure and suturing parallel to the iris might damage adjacent structures because of a narrow safety zone. CONCLUSIONS: The needle should penetrate obliquely, as in the technique in which the suturing is midway between perpendicular to the eye wall and parallel to the iris. This technique provides better reproducibility and causes less damage to adjacent tissue.

Ciliary Body↗
PubMed1998

Down-regulation of protein kinase C-alpha detected in human colorectal cancer.

The down-regulation of protein kinase C (PKC) was examined by Western blot procedure on about 30 tissue samples derived from human colorectal cancer and the corresponding normal mucosa. PKC-alpha down-regulation was detected in 60% of the cancer tissues compared with the respective normal mucosa and was observed in a higher frequency with the tissues under more advanced cancer stages. However, the frequencies of the down-regulation of PKC-delta and PKC-zeta were lower than that of PKC-alpha. These results suggest that a decreased level of PKC-alpha may affect the cell growth and tumor promotion in colorectal tissue.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1998

The effects of new platelet inhibitory drug E-5510 on platelet deposition on aortic bifurcation grafts: assessment by indium-111-oxime labeled platelet imaging.

The effects of a recently synthesized anti-platelet aggregation drug (E-5510) on platelet deposition in a knitted Dacron aortic graft underwent preliminary evaluation by In-111 oxime labeled platelet imaging. Seven patients undergoing aortofemoral bypass using this graft for occlusive disease were randomized into two groups: those receiving E-5510 and those receiving no medication. This agent was administered for 17 days postoperatively, and on the 14th day In-111 platelets were injected and images were acquired at 24, 48, and 72 hours. Platelet deposits in the grafts were assessed by the ratios of graft radioactivity to that of the adjacent native iliac arteries. Platelet deposition at the sites of anastomosis and deposition along the entire graft were normalized by initial deposition at 24 hours, and had significantly decreased at 72 hours in the three treated patients, while the normalized deposition increased progressively over time in the remaining four nonmedicated patients. E-5510 seems to have the potential to inhibit excessive platelet deposition on recently implanted grafts.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Splenic hamartoma presenting as a "hot spot" on Tc-99m phytate SPECT imaging.

The cases of two patients with surgically proven splenic hamartomas with "hot spots" on Tc-99m phytate SPECT imaging are presented. There was intense radiocolloid accumulation in the peripheral portion of a large single tumor in one patient, and in each of three isolated tumors in the other patient. The intense uptake might be related to the function of proliferated reticuloendothelial cells in the tumors. These unique findings were not clearly identified on the planar images.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Evaluation of abnormal regional ventilation in patients with lung cancer using three-dimensional display of dynamic 133Xe SPET.

Preliminary studies were carried out of regional ventilation in lung cancer using three-dimensional (3D) display of dynamic pulmonary 133Xe single photon emission tomography (SPET). Transaxial equilibrium and washout images were obtained from SPET data acquired with an acquisition time of 30 s using a triple-detector SPET system in 39 patients with lung cancer. After reconstructing colour-illuminated, surface-rendered 3D images of equilibrium and 3-min washout (WO3), a single 3D fusion display was created from these two different time-course image sets, in which the 3D WO3 image indicating 133Xe retention was visible through the 3D equilibrium image delineating lung contours. The extent of retention was assessed using the 133Xe retention index, defined as the ratio of summed pixels of the segmented WO3 data to those of the segmented equilibrium data. 133Xe SPET was highly sensitive and specific for the presence of regional ventilation abnormalities associated with endobronchial tumour or bronchial compression due to enlarged lymph nodes. These abnormalities were demonstrated irrespective of the presence or absence of secondary changes distal to the tumour on the chest computed tomography scan. The geometrically realistic 3D fusion display enhanced anatomic localization of the regional ventilation abnormalities compared to the information from multislice tomograms, and the 133Xe retention index correlated well with %FEV1 (r = 0.828). This topographic 3D display for 133Xe SPET allows better perception of anatomic localization and extent of 133Xe retention. It will be useful for assessing regional ventilatory function in patients with lung cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1998

Influence of drinking green tea on breast cancer malignancy among Japanese patients.

Inhibitory effects of green tea on carcinogenesis have been investigated in numerous laboratory studies using (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) or crude green tea extract, and there is also some epidemiologic evidence. Further, EGCG has been reported to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, lung metastasis in an animal model, and urokinase activity. In this study, we first examined the association between consumption of green tea prior to clinical cancer onset and various clinical parameters assessed at surgery among 472 patients with stage I, II, and III breast cancer. We found that increased consumption of green tea was closely associated with decreased numbers of axillary lymph node metastases among premenopausal patients with stage I and II breast cancer and with increased expression of progesterone receptor (PgR) and estrogen receptor (ER) among postmenopausal ones. Since these are potential prognostic factors, we then investigated the prognosis of breast cancer with special reference to consumption of green tea, in a follow-up study of these patients. We found that increased consumption of green tea was correlated with decreased recurrence of stage I and II breast cancer (P < 0.05 for crude disease-free survival); the recurrence rate was 16.7 or 24.3% among those consuming > or = 5 cups or < or = 4 cups per day, respectively, in a seven-year follow-up of stage I and II breast cancer, and the relative risk of recurrence was 0.564 (95% confidence interval, 0.350-0.911) after adjustment for other lifestyle factors. However, no improvement in prognosis was observed in stage III breast cancer. Our results indicate that increased consumption of green tea prior to clinical cancer onset is significantly associated with improved prognosis of stage I and II breast cancer, and this association may be related to a modifying effect of green tea on the clinical characteristics of the cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[A fatal case of streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome probably caused by acupuncture].

A 41-year-old male received acupuncture in the right shoulder for the sake of arthralgia. Three days after acupuncture he was admitted due to severe epigastralgia. Erythematous change and swelling were observed around the right shoulder. A study by magnetic resonance showed an increased signal intensity in a portion of the right subscapular muscle. Four hours after admission he became hypotensive. The erythematous and necrotic change in the right shoulder skin rapidly spread. Excisional debridement in the right lateral chest wall was immediately done. However, the patient died one day after admission despite administration of a high-dose ampicillin and other supportive therapies. Bacteriological and histological examinations confirmed severe streptococcal myositis. This is a case report of toxic shock-like syndrome probably caused by acupuncture.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1998

Comparison of diets among elderly female residents in two suburban districts in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, in dry season--survey on high- and low-risk districts of lung cancer incidence.

By means of duplicate meals, we collected food samples of general female residents, aged 50 to 74 years at two suburban districts in Chiang Mai Province, which are distinguished by very high and low incidence rates of lung cancer. Then, on the basis of analyses of their consumption of foods by food groups, we compared their dietary habits in the dry season of northern Thailand with special reference to the difference in lung cancer incidence. In brief, the following features and difference in their dietary habits were found; 1) Rice, vegetables, and pork were most frequently eaten in both the districts. 2) Consumption of fruits, in both quantity and variety, at a high-risk district was much less than that at a low-risk district. 3) Female residents at a low-risk district consumed more variety of green and yellow vegetables than those at a high-risk district. 4). Potato was not found in food samples of a high-risk district. 5) confectionery was more prevalent in a low-risk district than at a high-risk district.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Effect of inhaled surfactant on pulmonary deposition and clearance of technetium-99m-DTPA radioaerosol.

UNLABELLED: To establish the effect of an aerosolized synthetic surfactant (Exosurf) on pulmonary 99mTc-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) aerosol deposition and clearance, radioaerosol studies were performed at varying times and under varying conditions after surfactant inhalation in canine lungs. METHODS: Twenty-three dogs had a baseline 99mTc-DTPA study; 2 days later the study was repeated after inhalation of a 1.5-ml/kg dose of Exosurf aerosolized by an ultrasonic nebulizer. The clearance half-time (T1/2) of 99mTc-DTPA from each lung was measured at different times (from 10 min to 3 hr) after Exosurf inhalation. For comparison, five animals had a 99mTc-DTPA study 10 min after inhalation of the same dose of saline as Exosurf. An additional five animals inhaled a 99mTc-DTPA-Exosurf mixture to investigate the distribution of Exosurf. RESULTS: Technetium-99m-DTPA distributed uniformly without significant changes in penetration indexes before and after inhalation of Exosurf and the 99mTc-DTPA-Exosurf mixture. After Exosurf inhalation, 99mTc-DTPA clearance at 10 min (T1/2; 35.6 +/- 8.7 min; n = 6) and 40 min (29.4 +/- 6.3 min; n = 4) was significantly prolonged compared with the matched baseline values (24.7 +/- 6.4 min, p < 0.0001; and 21.7 +/- 8.9 min, p = 0.01, respectively). However, later clearance times were not prolonged. By contrast, after saline inhalation, 99mTc-DTPA distributed inhomogeneously, and clearance times T1/2) were not altered from the matched baseline values. CONCLUSION: Aerosolized Exosurf distributes homogeneously in the lungs. Exosurf initially retards 99mTc-DTPA aerosol clearance, but 99mTc-DTPA transalveolar clearance returns to baseline rates within 1-2 hr. Technetium-99m-DTPA aerosol clearance measurements can be used to monitor the effect of inhaled Exosurf on pulmonary epithelial integrity.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1998

Three-dimensional surface display of dynamic pulmonary xenon-133 SPECT in patients with obstructive lung disease.

UNLABELLED: To better perceive abnormal regional ventilation in patients with obstructive lung disease, a three-dimensional display was applied to dynamic pulmonary 133Xe SPECT. METHODS: Dynamic SPECT was performed using a triple-detector SPECT system in 30 patients with obstructive disease, 13 patients with restrictive disease and 7 normal subjects. After reconstructing color-illuminated, surface-rendered three-dimensional images of equilibrium and 3-min washout (WO3), a single three-dimensional fusion display was created from these two different time-course image sets in which a three-dimensional WO3 image indicating 133Xe retention was transparently visible through three-dimensional equilibrium image delineating lung contours. The three-dimensional equilibrium and WO3 images were created by a 25% threshold of the 133Xe maximal pixel activity (MPA) in equilibrium data. Besides, a three-dimensional WO3 image with a 18% threshold [mean + 2 s.d. ratios (%) of the MPA in WO3 data to that in equilibrium data in normal subjects] was used for assessing the presence of retention compared to normal lungs. RESULTS: The 18% threshold three-dimensional WO3 image showed abnormal retention in obstructive diseases but not in restrictive diseases. The three-dimensional fusion display provided an overview of localized retention in obstructive diseases and enhanced the perception of their spatial relationships and extent compared to those on multislice tomograms. The extent of retention correlated well with %FEV1 (r = 0.813) and 133Xe clearance-time (T(1/2)) (r = 0.912). CONCLUSION: This topographic modality for 133Xe SPECT is helpful for the better perception of anatomic distributions of 133Xe retention and interstudy comparisons of ventilation abnormality in patients with obstructive disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Role of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor in ventral signaling in Xenopus embryos.

The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor is a calcium ion channel involved in the release of free Ca2+ from intracellular stores. For analysis of the role of IP3-induced Ca2+ release (IICR) on patterning of the embryonic body, monoclonal antibodies that inhibit IICR were produced. Injection of these blocking antibodies into the ventral part of early Xenopus embryos induced modest dorsal differentiation. A close correlation between IICR blocking potencies and ectopic dorsal axis induction frequency suggests that an active IP3-Ca2+ signal may participate in the modulation of ventral differentiation.

Activins↗