Biomedical subjects

K Yokoi

Publications and source records attributed to K Yokoi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

[Surgical treatment for adrenal metastasis from lung cancer].

Several long-term survivors after surgical resection for a solitary adrenal metastasis from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have been reported in case reports and case series with a small number of patients. We have experienced 6 cases of patients who had adrenalectomy (ADR) for a metastasis from NSCLC. The median survival time (MST) after ADR was 24 months, and there was only 1 case of 3-year survivor. To elucidate the surgical indication and the prognostic factors of patients with a solitary adrenal metastasis from NSCLC, we analyzed 104 patients including our 6 patients who had ADR for a metastasis from NSCLC. The MST after ADR and 5-year survival were 24 months and 31%, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analysis demonstrated that lymph node metastasis at the surgery for primary lung cancer was the only significant and independent predictor of poor survival in patients after ADR. The results suggest that aggressive surgical treatment of a solitary adrenal metastasis from NSCLC may be effective when a patient have N0 disease.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

PubMed2005

Dual inhibition of the epidermal growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor phosphorylation for antivascular therapy of human prostate cancer in the prostate of nude mice.

BACKGROUND: Androgen-independent prostate cancer (PCa) may be susceptible to modulation of the tumor microenvironment. We determined whether a dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor (AEE788) of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGF-R) combined with chemotherapy can produce therapy of human PCa in nude mice. METHODS: PC-3MM2 human PCa cells were injected into the prostate of nude mice. Three days later, the mice were randomized into four groups: saline control, paclitaxel, AEE788, and AEE788 and paclitaxel. The mice were treated for 5 weeks and necropsied. Tumor incidence, weight, and incidence of lymph node metastasis were recorded. Tumor tissue was analyzed immunohistochemically. RESULTS: Treatment of mice with AEE788 or AEE788 plus paclitaxel significantly decreased tumor incidence, total tumor weight, and incidence of lymph node metastasis. AEE788 treatment alone or in combination with paclitaxel inhibited the phosphorylation of EGF-R and VEGF-R on tumor cells and tumor-associated endothelial cells. Therapeutic efficacy correlated with an increase in apoptosis of tumor cells and tumor-associated endothelial cells. CONCLUSION: Blockade of EGF-R and VEGF-R signaling pathways coupled with chemotherapy suppressed the progressive growth and metastasis of human PCa cells growing orthotopically in nude mice.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[Pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma; report of a case].

We report a case of a 64-year-old man with pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung and thymic cyst. He was admitted to our hospital because of an abnormal shadow observed on chest X-ray. Computed tomography (CT) showed a mass lesion located in the right upper lobe and a non-invasive anterior mediastinal tumor adjacent to the left brachiocepharic vein. On enhanced CT, the lung mass showed central low-attenuation areas with a substantial enhancement in the periphery. Preoperative transbronchial blushing cytology of the mass revealed adenocarcinoma. With a diagnosis of primary lung cancer (cT3N0M0) and mediastinal tumor, an operation was performed through a median sternotomy. The mediastinal tumor was excised and a right upper lobectomy and were also accomplished, because the lung tumor did not show adhesion or pleural invasion. Histopathologic examination of the resected specimen revealed that the lung tumor composed of a mixture of spindle and giant cell features and contained a component of adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. This finding yielded a pathological diagnosis of pleomorphic carcinoma (pT2N0M0). The mediastinal tumor was diagnosed as thymic cyst. The postoperative course was uneventful, and he is currently well 6 months after surgery.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2004

New monoclonal antibody (AIC) identifies interstitial cells of Cajal in the musculature of the mouse gastrointestinal tract.

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are pacemaker cells for the spontaneous muscular contractions and neuromodulators that mediate neurotransmission from enteric neurons to smooth muscle cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. They express c-Kit, and the antibody for c-Kit (especially ACK2) has been a useful tool for functional and morphological studies. ACK2, however, does not work on tissues fixed with paraformaldehyde, and not all ICC express c-Kit in human. Therefore, in order to find a new marker of ICC and/or new antibody resisting aldehyde fixation, we produced a new monoclonal antibody that identifies ICC and then investigated the properties of its antigen. Isolated ICC were used for immunization. Hybridomas fused with myeloma SP2 were screened by immunohistochemistry. ACK2 and each antibody were applied on serial sections, and the clone producing anti-ICC antibody (AIC) that stains ICC was established. The distribution of AIC immunopositive cells was examined in other organs and also GI muscles of W/Wv mice. The biochemical properties were studied using dot blot analysis. AIC recognized ICC; however, distribution of immunopositive cells in W/Wv mice and other organs was different from that of c-Kit. The immunoreactivity was stable for paraformaldehyde but was blocked by either Triton X-100 or SDS. In conclusion, new antibody AIC recognized ICC but the antigen was not c-Kit, which confirms the existence of good markers of ICC besides c-Kit. Although the antigen has not been isolated, AIC is suitable for morphological study and is useful for investigation of ICC in c-Kit mutants.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

[An adult congenital bronchoesophageal fistula with massive hemoptysis; report of a case].

A 67-year-old female was referred to our hospital because of bronchoesophageal fistula detected by upper gastro-intestinal series for cancer screening. The patient has had a history of coughing on liquid ingestion since childhood and she has been hospitalized 4 times for treatment of pneumonia during the past 20 years. While waiting the treatment, she was emergently admitted to the hospital because of massive hemoptysis. Transcatheter embolization of feeding arteries including the right inferior phrenic artery successfully controlled her hemoptysis. After reembolization of the feeding arteries for preventing massive hemorrhage during operation, posterolateral thoracotomy was performed. Surgical findings disclosed the bronchoesophageal fistula without inflammatory changes. She underwent fistulectomy combined resection of the middle and lower lobes which were destroyed by the repeated pneumonia. This case was considered type I congenital bronchoesophageal fistula according to Braimbridge and Keith classification because of the presence of diverticular projection which connected to the bronchus. Early diagnosis and rapid treatment are thought to be important for treating this disease.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

New treatment of a visible linear scar in the scalp: multiple hair-bearing flap technique.

Scars on the scalp have no hair, and can be conspicuous even when narrow. Alopecia, especially in the whorl of hair at the back of the parietal region, is very difficult to camouflage. We present a new technique using multiple hair-bearing flaps harvested from near the area of alopecia, each flap including 10-15 hairs. We treated 24 patients who were suffering from alopecia, with scar sizes ranging from 2 cm to 17 cm in length and from 0.5 cm to 2 cm in width. Between three and 12 flaps per patient were used to complete the treatment. All wounds healed without complications, and satisfactory results were achieved in 20 patients. Hair loss from the flap was rare. The scar could be hidden by the hair immediately after the operation. In four patients, a visible scar remained or was created at the donor site. These patients required a secondary repair. The major advantages of this technique are that the dense hair bundles in the flap are studded here and there in the scar, the scar can be reduced and the residual scar can be hidden by the flap hair. This technique is most useful for the parietal and occipital areas, especially near the whorl of hair.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Surgical correction of cauliflower ear.

We have classified the cauliflower ear into different types according to the zone and the degree of deformity. One major group is deformity without change in the outline of the ear, and this is divided into four subgroups according to the zone. All of these subgroups can be treated by shaving the deformed cartilage through suitable incision lines. For deformities accompanied by a skin deficit, a postauricular skin flap should be used. The other major group is deformity accompanied by a change in the outline of the ear, which is divided into two subgroups. If the ear is rigid, a conchal cartilage graft is used. If the structural integrity of the ear is poor, costal cartilage is used to provide rigidity.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Influence of alcohol consumption on the association between serum lipids and colorectal adenomas.

BACKGROUND: There have been no reports that low serum cholesterol levels increase the risk of colorectal adenoma, although many studies have shown that they do increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Alcohol intake, which is associated with a risk of colorectal adenomas, and serum cholesterol levels are closely related. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of alcohol consumption on the association between serum cholesterol levels and colorectal adenoma. METHODS: The subjects were 1,349 male patients who underwent both barium enema examination and total colonoscopy. They answered a questionnaire regarding their alcohol consumption history, and their blood samples were analysed. The subjects were divided into three groups: those with no tumour (with neither adenoma nor adenocarcinoma), those with adenoma and those with adenocarcinoma. Among the groups, the serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were compared in all the patients, in the patients who did not drink daily and in the patients who did. RESULTS: In all the patients, the serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels did not differ between the patients with and those without adenoma. In the daily drinkers, the serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly lower in patients with adenoma than in those without. CONCLUSIONS: Significantly lower levels of serum cholesterol and triglycerides were found in daily drinkers with adenoma than in those without.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2002

Selenium deficiency in Fisher-344 rats decreases plasma and tissue homocysteine concentrations and alters plasma homocysteine and cysteine redox status.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of graded amounts of dietary selenium on plasma and tissue parameters of methionine metabolism including homocysteine. Male weanling Fisher-344 rats (n = 7-8/group) were fed a selenium-deficient, torula yeast-based diet, supplemented with 0 (selenium deficient), 0.02, 0.05 or 0.1 microg (adequate) selenium (as selenite)/g diet. After 61 d, plasma total homocysteine and cysteine were decreased (P < 0.0001) and glutathione increased (P < 0.0001) by selenium deficiency. The concentrations of homocysteine in kidney and heart were decreased (P = 0.02) by selenium deficiency. The activities of liver betaine homocysteine methyltransferase, methionine synthase, S-adenosylmethionine synthase, cystathionine synthase and cystathionase were determined; selenium deficiency affected only betaine homocysteine methyltransferase, which was decreased (P < 0.0001). The ratios of plasma free reduced homocysteine (or cysteine) to free oxidized homocysteine (or cysteine) or to total homocysteine (or cysteine) were increased by selenium deficiency, suggesting that selenium status affects the normally tightly controlled redox status of these thiols. Most differences due to dietary selenium were between rats fed 0 or 0.02 microg selenium/g diet and those fed 0.05 or 0.1 microg selenium/g diet. The metabolic consequences of a marked decrease in plasma homocysteine and smaller but significant decreases in tissue homocysteine are not known.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

[Synchronous tumors consisted of bronchial carcinoid and adenocarcinoma of the lung].

We report a case of synchronous tumors consisted of bronchial carcinoid and adenocarcinoma of the lung. A 58-year-old female was referred to our hospital after screening, because an abnormal shadow was noted in the right lung on her computed tomography (CT) of the chest. CT scans showed a peripheral pulmonary mass in the right middle lobe and a nodule around the right lower lobe bronchus. The nodular lesion like swollen lymph node was diagnosed as bronchial carcinoid originated in B6 by bronchoscopy. The pulmonary mass was diagnosed as adenocarcinoma by using core needle biopsy during operation. Right middle and lower bilobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection were performed. Coincidence of a bronchial carcinoid and an adenocarcinoma of the same side of the lung is a rare occurrence.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2001

Genetic and biochemical characterization of glutamyl endopeptidase of Staphylococcus warneri M.

A Staphylococcus warneri strain M, newly isolated from processed seafood (smoked Watasenia scintillans), produced an extracellular protease. The protease, designated to as m-PROM (the mature form of PROM), selectively cleaved the carbonyl side of glutamic acid residues in beta-casein. Sequence of N-terminal 27 amino acids of m-PROM, RANVILPNNDRHQINDTTLGHYAPVTF, was found to be similar to those of other glutamyl endopeptidases, V8 protease (Staphylococcus aureus strain V8) and SPase (S. aureus ATCC 12600). To determine the complete primary structure and precursor of PROM, its gene (proM) was cloned and sequenced. The gene proM was found to encode for a protein of 316 amino acids. The amino acid residues from 64 to 90 completely coincided with the N-terminal 27 amino acids of the m-PROM, suggesting that the N-terminal 63 amino acids region of p-PROM (the precursor form of PROM) might be processed posttranslationally. Moreover, the whole amino acid sequence deduced from the primary structure of proM shows significant similarity to those of other glutamyl endopeptidases, V8 protease and SPase. These results suggested that PROM belongs to the glutamyl endopeptidase class. PROM, however, differs from V8 and SPase proteases in the processing site and the C-terminal region.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2001

Detection of dichromate (VI)-induced DNA strand breaks and formation of paramagnetic chromium in multiple mouse organs.

DNA single-strand breaks (and/or alkali-labile sites) induced by Cr(VI) were evaluated with the alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (SCG) (Comet) assay in five organs (liver, kidney, spleen, lung, and brain) of male mice dosed with K(2)Cr(2)O(7) (20 mg Cr/kg) by a single ip injection in vivo, and the formation of paramagnetic Cr(V) in these organs was investigated by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometry. Furthermore, the in vivo effects of deferoxamine (DFO), an iron chelator, and dimethylthiourea (DMTU), a hydroxyl radical scavenger, on the formation of Cr(V) and DNA strand breaks induced by the metal in the liver and kidney were examined. SCG assay detected DNA strand breaks were detected in the liver and kidney at 15 min and showed that they were being repaired at 3 h after Cr(VI) injection. The ESR spectra of paramagnetic Cr(V) were also observed in the liver and kidney for 15 min to 24 h after Cr(VI) injection. In contrast, there were no significant levels of DNA strand breaks and Cr(V) in the spleen, lung, or brain. The pretreatment of mice with DFO reduced the formation of Cr(VI)-induced DNA strand breaks and Cr(V) complexes as well as the total contents of Cr in the liver and kidney at 15 min after the metal injection. In the case of the pretreatment with DMTU, DNA strand breaks induced by Cr(VI) were suppressed in the liver and kidney at 15 min, without any influence on the levels of Cr(V) complexes and total Cr contents in the organs. The in vitro study showed that DFO decreased the levels of Cr(V)-GSH complexes and Cr(V)-mediated hydroxyl radicals, while DMTU reduced only the levels of Cr(V)-mediated hydroxyl radicals without affecting the formation of Cr(V)-GSH complexes. These results demonstrated that the SCG assay may be useful for detecting DNA strand breaks and/or alkali-labile sites caused by Cr(VI) in vivo. The results also indicated that the in vivo formation of hydroxyl radicals during the reduction of Cr(VI) may play an important role in the induction of the DNA strand breaks caused by this metal and implied that the levels of Cr(V) inside the cells may not always be related to the induction of DNA strand breaks.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer patients with positive pleural lavage cytology after a thoracotomy: results of the survey conducted by the Japan Clinical Oncology Group.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to clarify the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer patients without pleural effusion whose intrapleural cancer cells were detected by a cytologic examination of pleural lavage fluid obtained immediately after a thoracotomy. METHOD: A questionnaire survey on the survival of the patients with positive pleural lavage cytology from January 1985 to December 1994 was performed by the Japan Clinical Oncology Group. RESULTS: According to the data collected from 15 institutions, 1890 non-small cell lung cancer patients without pleural effusion underwent pleural lavage cytology immediately after thoracotomy and 142 (7.8%) of them were found to have intrapleural cancer cells detected by the cytological analysis. The information of survival on 113 patients was available. This comprised of 64 males and 49 females with a mean age of 64.6 years. The predominant histologic type was adenocarcinoma (74%). Out of these 113 patients, 109 (97%) underwent a surgical resection. The 5-year survival rate was 30% in all patients, 49% in pathological stage I (n=35), 23% in stage II (n=20) and 26% in stage IIIA (n=34). CONCLUSION: Patients with a positive pleural lavage cytology in pathological stage I or II appear to have a poor 5-year survival rate.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Prognosis of resected non-small cell lung cancer patients with carcinomatous pleuritis of minimal disease.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to clarify the prognosis of resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with carcinomatous pleuritis of minimal disease which might be considered as the next advanced stage of positive pleural lavage cytology. METHOD: The data were collected from a questionnaire survey on the survival of the patients with carcinomatous pleuritis found at thoracotomy from 1985 to December 1994 which was conducted by the Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG). RESULTS: Out of 227 patients with carcinomatous pleuritis found at thoracotomy who had available information on a survival, 100 patients who underwent a resection of the primary tumor had carcinomatous pleuritis of minimal disease defined based on the criteria of the Japan Lung Cancer Society. The mean malignant fluid volume (+/-S.E.) was 37.1 (6.3) ml and the mean number of pleural disseminated nodules was 5.6 (0.9). A lobectomy was performed in 79 patients, a pneumonectomy in 11 and a limited resection in ten. The 3- and 5-year survival rates were 31.8 and 22.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of resected NSCLC patients with carcinomatous pleuritis of minimal disease was unexpectedly good. This indicates that no fine line may exist between positive pleural lavage cytology findings and the aforementioned lesion.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

A new operative method of correcting cryptotia using large Z-plasty.

A large Z-plasty on the postauricular surface of the ear has been used for successful reconstruction of cryptotia. This technique provides extensive skin coverage of the posterior auricle without skin grafting. The technique is easy and simple. The natural hairline is not disturbed and the temporoauricular sulcus is emphasised. Almost all of the scar is hidden behind the auricle. It has been performed on 17 patients with no recurrence of the cryptotia. One patient had partial congestion in the cranial-flap tip, which improved within 1 week. There were no other complications.

Child↗

PubMed2001

Retroauricular flap: its clinical application and safety.

We report the application and safety of the retroauricular flap in 38 cases. The flap was used on the anterior auricular surface in 21 cases, in the peri-auricular region in five cases, in the region of the preauricular sideburn area in two cases, in the malar region in six cases, in the eyelid in three cases and in the intraorbital region in one case. When this flap was used in the auricular or periauricular region, the blood circulation was safe and the appearance was aesthetically good in flaps pedicled by the postauricular vessels or by the superficial temporal vessels. However, when the defect was more remote from the auricle, the blood circulation of the flaps pedicled by superficial temporal vessels, whether subcutaneous pedicle flaps or free flaps, was unstable. In some cases there was extensive or partial necrosis of the distal area of the flap. On the other hand, the free flaps pedicled by the postauricular vessels had satisfactory blood circulation, but the vessels were sometimes short, narrow and difficult to find, especially the veins. In these cases, we were obliged to use the superficial temporal vessels. A further problem is that some of the patients, especially younger women, were dissatisfied when the retroauricular flap was used in the malar region because of the reddish colour of the flap.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Reconstruction of a subtotally amputated auricle: a case report.

A 42-year-old woman presented with a subtotal amputation of the left auricle except for the helical skin. The treatment was by primary suture with debridement of some margins, and the auricle healed well. The fact that the treatment was successful without microvascular anastomoses is important, considering the anatomical features of the auricular vascular networks.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Use of bioimpedance spectroscopy to estimate body water distribution in rats fed high dietary sulfur amino acids.

The effect of dietary sulfur amino acids on bioelectric properties was studied in rats by using bioimpedance spectroscopy. Weanling rats were assigned to one of 12 groups in a factorially arranged experiment with dietary variables of supplemental sulfur amino acid (none, 10 g DL-methionine/kg or 10 g DL-homocystine/kg), pyridoxine hydrochloride (0 or 7.5 mg/kg) and nickel (0 or 1 mg/kg). After 9 wk of feeding, 20-h urine specimens were collected from food-deprived rats for measurements of creatinine, and then bioimpedance was measured with multifrequency (Hydra ECF/ICF 4200) and single-frequency (RJL Systems model 101) analyzers. Urinary creatinine excretion was measured by intracellular water (ICW), total body solid and urinary volume (R2 = 0.675). Extracellular water (ECW) did not add significantly to the model. Rats fed methionine had significantly lower total body water, ICW and ECW than rats fed no supplemental sulfur amino acid. Rats fed homocystine had significantly lower ECW and a significantly higher ratio of ICW to ECW. Rats fed methionine or homocystine had significantly lower capacitance corrected for body length and ICW than those fed no supplemental sulfur amino acids. These results suggest that dietary homocystine changes the distribution of body water and that sulfur amino acids can affect membrane porosity and/or membrane thickness.

Amino Acids, Sulfur↗