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Biomedical subjects

M Furukawa

Publications and source records attributed to M Furukawa.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

[Analysis of DNA ploidy using fresh frozen tissues from head and neck squamous cell carcinomas].

The DNA ploidy of fresh frozen tissues from head and neck squamous cell carcinomas was determined by flow cytometry, with the aim of investigating whether DNA ploidy correlates with various clinical and pathological parameters. The subjects were 51 patients who had undergone radical surgery in our department. The DNA ploidy pattern was classified into three types, diploid, single aneuploid and multiploid, according to the DNA index and the DNA histogram. This is our original classification. No particular correlation could be detected between the DNA ploidy pattern and sex, age, primary tumor site or disease stage. The degree of tissue differentiation tended to be poorer in aneuploid than in diploid tissues. The efficacy of chemotherapy was higher in aneuploid than in diploid cases. The recurrence rate was significantly lower in diploid than in multiploid cases. When disease stage, degree of histological differentiation, the efficacy of chemotherapy and the DNA ploidy pattern were subjected to multivariate analysis for correlation with prognosis, the DNA ploidy pattern showed the highest correlation. Our results suggest that the DNA ploidy, as analyzed by flow cytometry, can serve as useful prognostic factor.

Adult↗

T-cell receptor V beta repertoire of L3T4+ regulatory T cells in anti-L3T4 antibody-induced tolerant NOD mice.

In ongoing studies, we have found that short-term administration of anti-L3T4 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) prevents the development of overt diabetes in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. In the present work, we asked whether L3T4+ T cells or Lyt-2+ T cells can suppress the diabetes in these mice. L3T4+ T cells or Lyt-2+ T cells were sorted using a magnetic cell sorter, then were transferred into cyclophosphamide-induced male NOD mice. We obtained evidence that the L3T4+ but not Lyt-2+ T cells did inhibit the diabetes, thereby indicating that the former can regulate diabetes in anti-L3T4 mAb-induced tolerant NOD mice. Further analysis on T-cell receptor (TCR) V beta genes on splenic T cells from anti-L3T4 mAb-treated NOD mice revealed that V beta 4-positive T cells expanded predominantly, while L3T4+ T cells represented heterogeneity of the TCR V beta gene, hence, V beta 4-positive Lyt-2+ T cells generate predominantly. Our findings suggest that both L3T4+ and Lyt-2+ T cells renew and function as regulatory cells, through clonotypic interaction in tolerant NOD mice.

Animals↗

[Recent advances in radiotherapy for breast cancer].

Radiotherapy for breast cancer has been performed as adjuvant lymph node irradiation after radical operation, irradiation for chest wall relapse, and palliative treatment for bone, lung and brain metastases. However, attention has been paid to irradiation of the breast as a conservative treatment. The role of radiotherapy in breast conservative treatment is to reduce local relapse after shrinkage of operation, and to enhance the cosmetic outcome. The indications of this treatment, technique of irradiation, effects and side effects of irradiation, and risk of radiation-induced cancer were discussed. In Japan, we have experience with this treatment. Breast conservation treatment and modified mastectomy showed the same results in local control and survival. Sometimes the cure and most cases of relief of complaints are attained for recurrent or advanced breast cancer by radiotherapy. High dose rate brachytherapy by 192-Ir showed high local control of uncontrollable tumor by external irradiation. And hyperthermia combined with radiotherapy is also effective for superficial (less than 3 cm in depth) tumor. Even in patients with lung and or brain metastases, radiotherapy sometimes showed complete remission for years. The standard method of radiotherapy for bone and brain metastases is 30 Gy/2 wks, and the symptom relief rate is over 80%. Oncologists should be made aware of the high complaint relief rate by radiotherapy.

Brachytherapy↗

Non-selective reinnervation by regenerating facial motoneurons after peripheral nerve crush in the developing rat.

To study the regeneration process after the facial nerve crush in the neonatal period, the location of cranial motoneurons supplying the posterior belly of the digastric muscle (PDG) and the vibrissae follicular muscles was examined using retrograde tracing methods in the rat with facial nerves that had been surgically injured 1-2 day(s) after birth. In different stages after the induced facial palsy was functionally recovered, i.e. 4-20 weeks after the surgical operation, Fluoro-Gold (FG) was injected into the PDG, while wheat germ-agglutinated horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) was injected into the vibrissae follicular muscles. Distribution of neurons retrogradely labeled with FG and/or WGA-HRP was then examined in the brainstem. On the intact side, used as a control, FG-positive neurons were restrictedly seen within the accessory facial nucleus (Acs7), while HRP-positive neurons were found in the main facial nucleus (FMN) proper. On the injured sides with any survival periods: 1) FG-positive neurons were diffusely seen not only in the Acs7 but also in the FMN, where the normal myotopical representation seemed to be no longer maintained. 2) HRP-positive neurons were also seen scattered not only in the FMN but in the Acs7. 3) The volume and cell number in both the Acs7 and the FMN were notably reduced. Thus, the present results indicate: 1) that the misdirectional regeneration of nerve fibers occurs widely across the facial motoneuron pools, and 2) that the non-selective distribution can never be restored to the selective one when severely damaged even in the neonatal periods.

Animals↗

Brachial plexus block using a nerve stimulator and a conventional needle.

A technique for blocking the brachial plexus using a electrostimulator and conventional, non-special plastic cannula with an obtulator consist of conductive metal is described. This cannula is cheaper and more conventional than special plastic-coated needle. Brachial plexus block is useful anesthesia for surgical treatment of fractures, dislocations, skin and muscle injuries of the forearm and hand. However, the blockade does not seem to be completely reliable because of the anatomical variations among individuals and the consequent difficulty in locating of the brachial plexus. Therefore the method using an electrostimulator and a special plastic-coated needle for the brachial plexus block was reported in 1962 by Greenblatt. Employing a conventional plastic cannula for intravenous use instead of a special plastic-coated needle reported by Greenblatt. We could attain nerve block completely reliably, safely and easily.

Brachial Plexus↗

Transection of the olfactory nerves induces expression of nerve growth factor receptor in mouse olfactory epithelium.

Expression of nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) was found in the mouse olfactory epithelium after olfactory nerve transection, although no immunoreactivity to NGFR was detectable in the olfactory epithelium in the control animals. After axotomy, however, NGFR-immunoreactive cells transiently appeared in the supporting cells, receptor neurons and basal cells between postoperative day 7 and 35, and thereafter disappeared by postoperative day 49. The results indicate that nerve growth factor may contribute to the regeneration of olfactory receptor neurons after olfactory nerve transection.

Animals↗

Malignant schwannoma arising in a paranasal sinus.

A case of malignant schwannoma arising in a paranasal sinus is reported. In this case, histological hallmarks were lost because of the poorly differentiated nature of the tumour. Immunohistological techniques were applied to the diagnosis, confirming the neural origin of this tumour. Malignant schwannoma is a relatively rare disease in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. For the treatment of this tumour, wide resection is recommended. In this patient, radical resection of the maxilla with orbital and ethmoid exenteration was performed. The patient recovered uneventfully with no evidence of disease three years after surgery.

Ethmoid Sinus↗

Long-term complications of reconstruction of the heel using a digitorum brevis muscle flap.

Seven patients who had surgery for malignant skin tumors of the heel were followed up for several years. The reconstructive procedure performed was repair of the large skin defect after excision of a tumor, by using a flexor digitorum brevis muscle flap and an overlying free graft. Although this procedure is a good method without any serious complications, no long-term follow-up data supporting this opinion have been reported. In this study, plantar flexion of the toes and flattening of the plantar arch appeared 3 months after surgery and developed for 1 year, and the patients complained of easy fatigability in walking and difficulty in going up stairs. These sequelae were probably due to sacrifice of the flexor digitorum brevis muscle. We feel that this procedure should be replaced by another procedure that does not sacrifice any muscle, for example, that using a medial plantar flap.

Aged↗

Role of local pancreatic blood flow in development of hemorrhagic pancreatitis induced by stress in rats.

Our previous data showed that the pancreatitis induced in rats by cerulein develops into hemorrhagic pancreatitis following water-immersion stress. The present study examined the effects of water-immersion stress and high doses of cerulein (intraperitoneal injection) on pancreatic blood flow. Five hours of water-immersion stress reduced the local pancreatic blood flow to approximately 30% of the initial value (253.75 +/- 12.58 ml/min/100 g) without causing any histological alterations. Blood flow was decreased as early as 1 h after the immersion and reached the lowest value (30% of initial value) 3 h after the immersion. The administration of 40 micrograms/kg body wt cerulein as two intraperitoneal injections reduced the pancreatic blood flow by 40% 5 h after the first cerulein injection. The injections of cerulein combined with water-immersion stress did not reduce the pancreatic blood flow more than did water-immersion stress alone. The systemic blood pressure was unaffected during 5 h of water immersion after the cerulein injections. These findings suggest that in rats the stress-induced decrease of local pancreatic blood flow may not produce pancreatitis, but may aggravate an existing acute pancreatitis.

Amylases↗

Specificity analysis of human CD4+ T-cell clones directed against human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), HHV-7, and human cytomegalovirus.

In order to clarify antigenic variations among various isolates of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and cross-reactivity among HHV-6, HHV-7, and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in the T-cell immune response, the antigenic specificity of the proliferative response mediated by 232 CD4+ human T-cell clones directed against HHV-6, HHV-7, or HCMV was examined. The results obtained were as follows. (i) Although the majority of T-cell clones directed against HHV-6 proliferated in response to stimulation with all strains of HHV-6 used (U1102, Z29, SF, and HST), 7% (8 of 122) of the T-cell clones showed distinct patterns of proliferative response against strain U1102 (group A) and other strains of HHV-6 (group B). (ii) Of 99 T-cell clones, 71 showed a distinct proliferative response to HHV-6 and HHV-7, whereas 28 proliferated in response to stimulation with both HHV-6 and HHV-7. (iii) A small number of T-cell clones (9 of 232) showed cross-reactivity against HHV-6 and HCMV, and 2 of the 232 clones were reactive with HCMV as well as with HHV-6 and HHV-7. (iv) The specificity of gamma interferon production by T-cell clones following the stimulation with virus antigen was identical to that of their proliferative response. These data thus indicate the presence of antigenic variations among isolates of HHV-6 and also epitopes common to HHV-6 and HHV-7 and to HHV-6, HHV-7, and HCMV which are recognized by CD4+ T cells.

Antigens, Viral↗

Unusual case of plasma cell tumor with monoclonal gammopathy of the sino-nasal cavity and clavicular bone.

A rare case of extramedullary plasmacytoma in the sino-nasal cavity is presented. During a prolonged clinical course, the tumor has recurred several times after irradiation, chemotherapy and surgery, and presented in the clavicular bone as well. Immunohistochemical staining of each tumor showed IgA kappa phenotype, and immunoelectrophoresis of the serum showed overproduction of IgA with kappa light chains. Although an elevation of serum IgA persists, the patient has remained well without evidence of overt multiple myeloma.

Adolescent↗

Platelet-activating factor-induced ischemic bowel necrosis: the effect of platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase.

In the present investigation, the rat model of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) was further developed by injection of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in the descending aorta. The role of the plasma PAF-acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) was examined in the prevention of this disease. PAF (0.35 micrograms) caused ischemic intestinal necrosis when administered intraaortically. The effects of PAF injection on the small intestine were examined histologically in samples of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The administration of PAF resulted in extensive hemorrhagic damage in all regions of the small bowel and a marked hemoconcentration. Pretreatment of the rats with dexamethasone or medroxyprogesterone significantly increased plasma PAF-AH activity. Dexamethasone and medroxyprogesterone prevented the gross and histologic features of NEC as well as the hemoconcentration. In contrast, lower amounts of PAF were sufficient to cause bowel necrosis and hemoconcentration when decreased activities of plasma PAF-AH were induced by 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol or 4-aminopyrazolopyrimidine administration. We have recently reported that PAF-AH is present in human milk. The beneficial effect of breast feeding in preventing the development of NEC in the newborn is discussed and a mechanism proposed to explain this finding. It is suggested that PAF may play an important role in the pathogenesis of NEC and that the increased plasma activity of PAF-AH caused by dexamethasone and the presence of this enzyme, of milk origin, in the lumen of the small bowel may prove to be beneficial in the prevention of this disease.

1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase↗

[Fine needle aspiration cytology under ultrasonographic imaging].

Although fine needle aspiration cytology (FNA) is widely used in the otolaryngology, few hospitals perform it in conjunction with ultrasonographic imaging. Despite the benefits of ultrasonographic imaging-assisted FNA, it is not widely utilized due to the prevalent misperception that the procedure is exceedingly complicated. In an effort to refine FNA procedures under ultrasonographic imaging (focusing on safety and simplification), we conducted a study on outpatients with neck tumors. We developed the following guidelines. 1. The aspiration was conducted free-hand without the use of mechanical devices such as special probes and/or aspiration adaptors. 2. Positioning of the probe was adjusted so that the puncture site was centered in the image. 3. When the tumor was located near the carotid artery or jugular vein, the probe was adjusted so that both the tumor and the blood vessel could be observed in the same image. 4. The needle was introduced at the center of the probe from the sliced direction. The needle injection route was then adjusted in line with phase crossing at right angles with the scanning field of the probe. 5. The depth of the puncture was adjusted in accordance with the angles between the probe and the needle. From June 1985 to December 1990, FNA under ultrasonographic imaging was conducted on 149 patients. It was possible to compare both cytological and histological studies. According to site, lymph nodes ranked highest in 52 cases, followed by parotid glands (45) and thyroid glands (27). A 5 or 7.5 MHz probe was used with 21- or 22-gauge injection needles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biopsy, Needle↗

[Mild hearing loss in children with communication disorders].

The prevalence of MHL in 202, 1 to 6 year-old children with communication disorders who visited our clinic in 1991 was investigated. 1) 31% of the subjects had MHL bilaterally. The prevalence of MHL was 44% at age 1 year, 20% at age 2 years, 36% at age 3 years, 24% at age 4 years, 39% at age 5 years, 33% at age 6 years. 2) 88% of children with MHL had OME, 10% had mild sensorineural hearing loss, and 2% had cerminous plug. 3) The prevalence of MHL in children with mental retardation and autistic disorders was 9%, that with stuttering was 9%, that of OME accompanied by moderate and severe hearing disorders was 6%. 4) The primary causes in 191, except for those with stuttering, were as follows; the prevalence of MHL was 30%, that of mental retardation and autistic disorders was 24%, and that of articulation disorders was 28%. 5) On the other hand, the prevalence of MHL in children with retarded language development and articulation disorders was 30%, which was significantly higher than that of the other communication disorders. Accordingly, the results of this study suggest that MHL in early childhood greatly influences communication disorders.

Chi-Square Distribution↗

Biology of factor IX.

Within the past 20 years or so, factor IX has been at the centre of particularly intensive studies of its physiology, pathology and biochemistry as well as its molecular genetics and biology. With the complete nucleotide sequence of its human gene determined in 1985 and the molecular defects of over 600 abnormal human factor IX genes analysed to date, factor IX is among the few mammalian proteins which have been exhaustively studied in almost every aspect. The enormous amount of information we now have on this medium-sized plasma protein sheds light on how a gene and its protein evolve, how the protein carries out a highly regulated, specific and pivotal role in the delicately balanced blood coagulation reaction, and the correlation between clinical presentations and its highly diverse molecular mechanism of defects. This wealth of knowledge makes factor IX an excellent model for deeper study, such as truly quantitative analysis of its structure-function relationship and in vivo function and regulation. It will also provide a sound foundation which may lead to improved treatment of haemophilia B and perhaps to its cure. This paper attempts to review the recent progress in research on factor IX.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Comparison of granisetron alone and granisetron plus hydroxyzine hydrochloride for the prophylactic treatment of emesis induced by cisplatin-containing chemotherapy].

In this study, the utility and safety of granisetron alone (Group G) and granisetron plus hydroxyzine hydrochloride (Group G/H) for nausea and vomiting were evaluated in patients with head and neck cancer treated by cisplatin-containing chemotherapy. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the severity of nausea or frequency of vomiting, although all patients in the G/H group showed complete response (no nausea or vomiting) from the fifth day after cisplatin administration. The clinical utility rate was higher in Group G/H than in Group G. The only side effect observed was headache in one patient from Group G. No drug-related abnormality in laboratory tests was observed. These results demonstrate that the antiemetic efficacy of granisetron can be augmented by the addition of hydroxyzine hydrochloride, providing superior control of emesis induced by cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.

Adult↗