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Kazuo Shimizu

Publications and source records attributed to Kazuo Shimizu.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Experience of thoracoscopic extirpation of intrapulmonary lymphangioma.

We report a 59-year-old woman who underwent thoracoscopic extirpation of the intrapulmonary cystic lymphangioma which was located in the subpleural space of the left upper lobe. A chest X-ray showed a solitary round nodule in the left pulmonary hilum. A computed tomography scan revealed a mass shadow at the interlobar region surrounding the interlobar pulmonary artery. A round nodule was recognized as low signal intensity on T1-weighted images by magnetic resonance imaging. There was biphasic signal intensity on T2-weighted images as well. Radiologically, we diagnosed this lesion as a benign cystic tumor in the lung. Thoracoscopic observation revealed a cystic lesion just beneath the visceral pleura of the upper lobe adjacent to the interlobular pulmonary artery. As this suggested a benign bronchogenic cyst, we performed extirpation of the cyst under thoracoscopy. After this operation, the cyst was diagnosed as an intrapulmonary cystic lymphangioma pathologically.

Female↗
PubMed2005

Prognostic significance of the tumor suppressor gene maspin in non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Maspin is a serpin protease inhibitor, which is known to suppress tumor progression in breast cancer and to be regulated by wild-type p53. This study was performed to elucidate the biologic significance of maspin expression in non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS: To investigate whether maspin is involved in progression, clinicopathologic features, and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer, we performed an immunohistochemical study using antimaspin antibody and identified the presence of maspin messenger ribonucleic acid in cancerous and noncancerous tissues by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. In addition, we evaluated p53 expression immunohistochemically on the serial sections. RESULTS: Most adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma showed cytoplasmic staining pattern. The cytoplasmic positive rate was 77.8% (42 of 54 specimens) for the stage III group, and 36.2% (21 of 58 specimens) for the stage I group (p < 0.0001). Three-year survival rates after operation were 30.8% for the maspin-positive group and 71.1% for the maspin-negative group (p = 0.007). In multivariate analysis, immunohistochemical maspin expression in patients with non-small cell lung cancer was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival. No correlation between maspin and p53 expression in cancer cells could be observed. There was an average fourfold increase in maspin messenger ribonucleic acid levels in cancerous tissues compared with those of noncancerous tissues, and stage III cases exhibited significantly higher maspin messenger ribonucleic acid levels than stage I cases (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that overexpression of maspin in cytoplasm may be a useful marker of tumor progression and unfavorable prognosis for overall survival in some patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Furthermore, maspin expression in cytoplasm appears to be unaffected by p53.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2005

Map-guided surgery for atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Although current surgical procedures result in a high success rate for atrial fibrillation, they are not guided by electrophysiologic findings in individual patients and thus might include unnecessary incisions in some patients or be inappropriate for other patients. We sought to determine whether intraoperative mapping is beneficial for the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation. METHODS: A 256-channel 3-dimensional dynamic mapping system with custom-made epicardial patch electrodes was used to examine the atrial activation during atrial fibrillation and to determine the optimal procedure in 37 patients with continuous and 9 patients with intermittent atrial fibrillation intraoperatively. RESULTS: Surgical intervention for atrial fibrillation was not indicated in 3 patients in whom the atrial electrograms had a low voltage over a broad area. Concurrent, multiple, and repetitive activations arising from the pulmonary veins or left atrial appendage were observed in all patients. A simple left atrial procedure consisting of pulmonary vein isolation and left atrial incisions without any right atrial incisions was performed in 8 patients in whom the right atrial activation was passive, and all (100%) were cured of atrial fibrillation. The radial procedure was performed in the remaining 35 patients, and 31 (89%) of the patients were cured of atrial fibrillation. In this subset of patients, 10 exhibited reentrant or focal activation in the posterior left atrium between the right and left pulmonary veins and required an additional linear ablation on the posterior left atrium. The total amount of postoperative bleeding after the simple left atrial procedure was significantly less than after the radial procedure (378 +/- 135 vs 711 +/- 364 mL, P = .03). The right and left atrial transport functions were well preserved after both the radial and simple left atrial procedures. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative mapping facilitates determining the optimal procedure for atrial fibrillation in each patient.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

A novel protein C-phycocyanin plays a crucial role in the hypocholesterolemic action of Spirulina platensis concentrate in rats.

This study was designed to clarify the mechanisms of the hypocholesterolemic action of Spirulina platensis concentrate (SPC) and identify the novel hypocholesterolemic protein derived from SPC. We investigated the effects of casein or SPC on the solubility of cholesterol, taurocholate binding capacity in vitro, cholesterol absorption in Caco-2 cells, and cholesterol metabolism in rats for 10 d. We also evaluated the effects of SPC, C-phycocyanin (PHY), and PHY residue on cholesterol metabolism in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet for 5 d, and SPC or SPC-acetone extract for 10 d. SPC had a significantly greater bile acid-binding capacity than casein in vitro. Micellar cholesterol solubility and cholesterol uptake by Caco-2 cells was significantly lower in the presence of SPC compared with casein. Fecal excretion of cholesterol and bile acids was significantly greater in rats fed the SPC-supplemented diet than in those fed the casein control diet. Serum and liver cholesterol concentrations were significantly lower in rats fed SPC than in those fed casein. Thus, the hypocholesterolemic action of SPC may involve the inhibition of both jejunal cholesterol absorption and ileal bile acid reabsorption. Although no studies to date have found a hypocholesterolemic protein among the algal proteins, we report here the discovery of a hypocholesterolemic effect in the novel protein C-phycocyanin. This study provides the first direct evidence that PHY, a novel hypocholesterolemic protein derived from Spirulina platensis, can powerfully influence serum cholesterol concentrations and impart a stronger hypocholesterolemic activity than SPC in animals.

Acetone↗
PubMed2005

Interatrial electrical connections: the precise location and preferential conduction.

BACKGROUND: The atria are assumed to be connected electrically to each other at the level of the Bachmann's bundle, coronary sinus (CS) musculature, and interatrial septum, and these connections may have an important role in the interatrial conduction and perpetuation of various types of atrial tachyarrhythmias. However, the number, location, and preferential connections of the interatrial conduction related to the site of activation have not been examined yet. METHODS: The endocardium of both atria and the CS were mapped during continuous pacing from the left superior and inferior pulmonary veins, right pulmonary veins, upper and lower right atrium, or right atrial septum at various paced cycle lengths in 14 canines. The electrograms were recorded by custom-made form-fitted electrodes mounted on a specially designed device that allowed the septal aspects of the electrode forms to be spatially fixed to each other accurately. RESULTS: Four distinct interatrial electrical connections were identified at the Bachmann's bundle, CS, and antero-superior and postero-inferior septa. Decremental conduction was not seen in any of the connections. Bachmann's bundle was the most preferential connection during pacing from any epicardial site. The transseptal connections were evident only during pacing from the interatrial septum. The preference among the four connections was determined by the site of stimulation and the propagation of the activation related to the myocardial architecture. CONCLUSION: These unique preferential connections may play a significant role in the interatrial conduction and perpetuation of atrial tachyarrhythmias.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Sudden death in a case of cardiac amyloidosis immediately after pacemaker implantation for complete atrioventricular block.

We report a patient with cardiac involvement associated with primary amyloidosis presenting marked left ventricular (LV) wall thickening, severely decreased systolic and diastolic function, and complete atrioventricular block (CAVB), who died suddenly of cardiac arrest caused by electro-mechanical uncoupling occurring immediately after permanent pacemaker implantation. Post mortem examination showed no procedural complications such as cardiac or venous perforation. The heart was densely infiltrated with amyloid fibrils, especially in the extracellular tissues surrounding the papillary vessels.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Thoracoscopic surgery in children.

PURPOSE: A minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery offers several options in diagnosis and surgical treatment in the field of pediatric surgery. We would like to review our surgical experience and to assess the clinical outcomes and problems encountered during thoracoscopic surgery in children and adolescents focusing on children less than 6 years old. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 1992 and 2003, 977 patients underwent thoracoscopic surgery for chest diseases. Among them, from 1994 to 2003, 71 children and adolescents underwent thoracoscopic surgery. The thoracoscopic surgical procedures were classified into thoracoscopic surgery (TS) and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). TS was performed through three or four trocar ports. VATS was performed through a small chest incision (minithoracotomy) with one or two trocar ports. RESULTS: There was no morbidity or mortality associated with the thoracoscopic surgical procedures. None of the patients required a conversion to standard thoracotomy. The thoracoscopic surgical procedures were feasible in 71 children and adolescents with chest diseases including spontaneous pneumothorax, pulmonary nodules, diffuse pulmonary disease, pulmonary sequestration, and mediastinal tumors, and in those with palmar hyperhidrosis. TS was performed on two of five children with benign diseases including diffuse pulmonary disease and mediastinal bronchogenic cyst. VATS was performed on three children with pulmonary sequestration, lymphoid interstitial pneumonia and mediastinal Ewing's sarcoma. In one child with lymphoid interstitial pneumonia, the thoracoscopic surgery was converted to VATS because adhesion did not allow TS. The TS allowed rapid histological diagnosis and surgical treatment for benign pulmonary diseases and mediastinal cyst. Patients who were suffering from disease-related symptoms obtained complete relief with an uneventful postoperative course and quickly returned to their normal life. A boy who underwent lobectomy showed a normal growth rate for 4 years postoperatively. In the case of malignant chest diseases, the combination of chemotherapy and VATS was an effective treatment strategy. CONCLUSIONS: We considered that the thoracoscopic approach is a rapid and simple method in the therapeutic diagnosis and surgical treatment of children and adolescents, even in children less than 6 years old. Cosmetic benefits were also obtained for girls. However, the most important consideration is the decision on a treatment strategy made by both pediatrician and thoracic surgeon.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Helicobacter pylori Infection among patients visiting a clinic in Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture.

We examined Helicobacter pylori infection in patients who visited the Iso Clinic (Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture) with abdominal complaints, and determined the prevalence of H. pylori infection by age, sex, endoscopic diagnosis, abdominal complaint, gastric mucosa, and living environment. Peptic ulcer disease was observed in 23.2% of the patients examined with endoscopy, but there was no association between abdominal complaints and the prevalence of H. pylori infection. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was high among patients with peptic ulcer disease and atrophic gastritis. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was higher in the generation born before tae start of the period of rapid economic growth (71.5%) than in the generation born afterward (64.8%). No significant difference was observed between males and females. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was high in those who drank well water during childhood and those who were raised in a house with a nonflushing of toilet (67.2% and 67.5%, respectively). There were no associations with river basin of residence, alcohol consumption, or smoking. The prevalence of H. pylori infection among patients who visited Iso Clinic was higher than that among patients seen at Tama-Nagayama Hospital, Nippon Medical School (Tama City, Tokyo). The difference is attributable to the higher prevalence of H. pylori infection in the elderly.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Primary pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma combined with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and amyloidoma in the lung.

Three abnormal shadows were detected in the right lung on chest X-ray films and computed tomography in a 75-year-old woman during follow-up for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Because a definitive diagnosis was not obtained through general examinations, exploratory thoracotomy was performed for diagnosis and treatment. The main lesion in the right middle lobe was diagnosed as mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma according to histopathological findings, cytogenic studies and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis, and nodular lesions in S(3) and S(7) were diagnosed with Congo-red staining as local deposition of amyloid. The patient had no recurrence of the MALT lymphoma of the lung or other organs for 4 years after surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of primary pulmonary MALT lymphoma combined with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura/lung amyloidoma.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Surgical treatment for lung cancer patients with poor pulmonary function.

UNLABELLED: This retrospective study was aimed to review the risk factors of postoperative hospital death in lung cancer patients with poor pulmonary reserves. We performed surgery on 30 lung cancer patients (average age: 71 years) with less than 1.0L of preoperative forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1.0 < 1.0L) between 1982 and 2003. The preoperative FEV1.0 of these 30 patients was 0.81+/-0.1L on average. Six of 20 patients who underwent surgery between 1982 and 1997 died during their postoperative hospital stay (hospital death group). Between 1998 and 2003, 10 patients underwent surgery with uneventful postoperative courses. The clinical background was evaluated between the hospital death group (n = 6) and the survivor group (n = 24). The single-variable analysis of the preoperative conditions of the postoperative hospital death revealed the presence of two or more preoperative concomitant diseases (p < 0.001) and a performance status of grade 2 or higher (p = 0.005). Peripheral obstructive pneumonia with abscess and chronic pleurisy with adhesion influenced surgery and related to their postoperative hospital death. Whereas, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) tended to show that pulmonary resection resulted in an improvement of pulmonary functions. CONCLUSION: To achieve better results of surgical treatment for patients with preoperative FEV1.0 < 1.0L, patient selection should be required based on precise evaluation of physical conditions and management of infectious diseases. Moreover, we thought that a preoperative performance status of grade 1 or lower, at most one preoperative concomitant disease, and a COPD are desirable for deciding the surgical indication.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Video-assisted thoracic surgery for Ewing's sarcoma of the mediastinum in a 3-year-old girl.

We report of the experience of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for a Ewing's sarcoma at the posterior mediastinum in a 3 year old girl. The patient developed common cold like symptoms and developed rapid lower limb paraplegia. A chest computed tomography (CT) showed a solid mass adjacent to the vertebrae. This was diagnosed as a Ewing's sarcoma histopathologically by CT-guided needle biopsy (CT-NB). The mass was pressing on a nerve root in the vicinity of a vertebral foramen. As the tumor reduced after induction chemotherapy, with improvement of paraplegia, the patient underwent thoracoscopic examination followed by complete removal of the tumor by VATS. After surgery, the patient underwent postoperative chemo-radiotherapy. Five years has passed after operation without tumor recurrence. VATS could be an option as combined therapy for Ewing's sarcoma when well controlled and localized under induction therapy.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2004

Diastereoselective total synthesis of isocarbacyclin from L-ascorbic acid.

Diastereoselective total synthesis of isocarbacyclin, which features a fused bicyclic key intermediate available from l-ascorbic acid, is described. The key intermediate was prepared in multigram quantities by the Pauson-Khand reaction of l-ascorbic acid-based (R)-4,4-diallyl-2,2-dimethyl-5-(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl-1,3-dioxolane (3), discriminating diastereotopic groups and faces of the geminal allyl substituents.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed2004

A case of tuberculous granuloma at the supra-sternal notch that was difficult to differentiate from a thyroid tumor.

BACKGROUND: Despite a decline after World War II, the rate of tuberculosis remains higher in Japan than in other countries. We report a case of tuberculous granuloma at the supra-sternal notch that was difficult to differentiate from a thyroid tumor. CASE REPORT: The patient was a 75-year-old Japanese woman who was referred to our hospital for further investigations and treatment of an anterior neck tumor, that was diagnosed as a suspected of thyroid malignancy by another institute. The thyroid function and biological data were normal except for an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Imaging studies showed a mass at the supra-sternal notch, and the border between the tumor and the thyroid gland was indistinct. The tuberculosis bacillus group was identified by fine needle aspiration cytology. The patient was treated surgically for tuberculous granuloma, and histopathological findings revealed that the lymph node tuberuculosis had invaded the thyroid gland. We started anti-tuberculous therapy after the operation. The post-operative course was uneventful with good wound healing. CONCLUSIONS: When a markedly elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and c-reactive protein value are associated with an anterior neck mass, tuberculosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of thyroid swelling. Fine needle aspiration cytology is a rapid, simple and effective diagnostic method for extra-pulmonary tuberculous lesions involving the neck. When there is abscess formation or features of compression, or if the mass cannot be differentiated from a thyroid tumor, combined therapy involving anti-tuberculous agents and surgery must be considered.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Amplification, up-regulation and over-expression of C3G (CRK SH3 domain-binding guanine nucleotide-releasing factor) in non-small cell lung cancers.

The Ras-CRK-Rap1 cellular signal-transduction system is regulated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). Transcription of C3G on chromosome 9q34 and a key member of the GEF gene family is activated by the CRK-adaptor protein; the C3G product is a CRK SH3 domain-binding guanine nucleotide-releasing factor. We document here the amplification of C3G in five of 18 primary non-small cell lung cancers examined and its increased expression in 18 of 28 tumors in comparison to corresponding non-cancerous lung tissues. Immunohistochemical staining revealed prominent C3G protein in the cytoplasm of cancer cells, associated with faint staining at the nucleolar membrane, but C3G was not detectable in normal bronchial mucoepithelial cells or in broncholoalveolar cells of the bronchial/bronchiolar ducts or alveoli. These data indicate that amplification and increased expression of the C3G gene may play some role in human lung carcinogenesis through derangement of the CRK-Rap1 signaling pathway.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗
PubMed2004

Comparative study between DNA copy number aberrations determined by quantitative microsatellite analysis and clinical outcome in patients with stomach cancer.

PURPOSE: We detected the relative DNA copy numbers (RCNs) at target loci in patients with stomach cancer with quantitative microsatellite analysis. We additionally clarified the relationship between DNA copy number aberrations and the clinical outcome of the patients. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Fresh frozen samples were obtained from 30 patients who had undergone surgery for stomach cancer. Seven microsatellite loci in chromosomes 8q, 16q, and 20q and one gene-specific locus (ZNF217) were selected as the target loci. The DNA copy number was obtained relatively to a pooled reference consisting of six microsatellite primer sets selected from the regions where few aberrations have been reported in comparative genomic hybridization analysis. On the basis of the TaqMan PCR system, the internal probes used were carrying donor (6-carboxyfluorescein) and acceptor (6-carboxytetramethylrhodamine) fluorescent molecules complementary to CA repeats in the microsatellite markers and to one gene-specific oligomer in the gene-specific marker. RESULTS: Chromosome 8q gain, 20q gain, and 16q loss were detected in 18 (60.0%), 8 (26.7%), and 13 (43.3%) cases, respectively. Gains in the RCNs of D8S1801 and D8S1724 were most frequently found (36.7%). There was a significant correlation between the loss of D16S3026 and reduced survival duration (P = 0.0158), and the simultaneous aberrations of D8S1801 gain and D16S3026 loss (double marker positive) was significantly associated with reduced survival duration (P = 0.0008). According to Cox proportional hazards model, the double marker positive was a significant and independent factor indicating an unfavorable prognostic factor (relative risk, 17.176; 95% confidence interval, 2.782-106.026; P = 0.0022). CONCLUSION: RCN aberrations in tumor tissues determined by quantitative microsatellite analysis enable identification of the prognostic factors that correlate with clinical outcome of the patients with stomach cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Up-regulation of transcriptional factor E2F1 in papillary and anaplastic thyroid cancers.

Expression of genes in the Rb-E2F signaling pathway is controlled by E2F transcriptional factors originally defined as molecules that bind to the promoter of E2 adenovirus. The E2F gene family consists of six members and is designated E2F1-6. The Rb-E2F signaling pathway is among the main regulators of the cell cycle, hence its importance in differentiation and oncogenesis. We document here up-regulation of E2F1, but not other members of the E2F gene family, in 15 of 18 primary papillary thyroid cancers examined (83%) in comparison to corresponding noncancerous thyroid tissues and in all of 11 anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) cell lines (100%). The E2F4 gene, however, was down-regulated in 12 of the papillary thyroid cancers (67%). Immunohistochemical analysis with antibody to E2F1 revealed prominent intracellular E2F1 protein in most of the primary papillary cancers (16 of 18; 89%) but was not detectable in normal thyroid tissues. These data indicated that increased expression of the E2F1 gene might play a significant role in human thyroid carcinogenesis through derangement of the Rb-E2F signaling pathway.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Antioxidative bioavailability of artepillin C in Brazilian propolis.

Propolis has strong antioxidative activity. We investigated here whether this activity was available in intestinal Caco-2 and hepatic HepG2 cells. Phenolics in Brazilian propolis, extracted with ethyl acetate after the removal of resin and wax with 90% methanol, included artepillin C at 21 mmol/100 g, p-coumaric acid and cinnamic acid relatives 24mmol, kaempferol and its derivatives 9.4 mmol, naringenin 2.8 mmol, isosakuranetin 0.9 mmol, chrysin at 0.8 mmol/100 g, and several minor components. When the extract was added to the apical side of Caco-2 monolayers, artepillin C was specifically incorporated into the cells and released to the basolateral side mostly without conjugation. Then, artepillin C was added to HepG2 cells and exposed to reactive oxygens. Artepillin C prevented oxidative damage dose-dependently, and suppressed lipid peroxidation evaluated with thiobarbituric acid reactive substances by 16% and the formation of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in DNA by 36% at a concentration of 20microM. Artepillin C is a bioavailable antioxidant.

Anti-Infective Agents↗