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Biomedical subjects

M Furuta

Publications and source records attributed to M Furuta.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Leprosy and malignancy: autopsy findings of 252 leprosy patients.

The occurrence of malignant tumors in leprosy patients was studied in 252 autopsied cases. Malignant tumors were found in 33 out of 110 autopsy cases from 1962 to 1971, and in 51 out of 141 autopsy cases from 1977 to 1989 (until July). In 1974, a lepromatous case with Kaposi's sarcoma was autopsied. The incidence of malignant tumors in our 252 cases were 33.7% (85 out of 252). Carcinoma of the alimentary system was most common: stomach, liver and large intestine, in that order. There was an increased number of hepatocellular carcinoma closely related to liver cirrhosis. Carcinoma of the lung has increased remarkably in leprosy patients quite recently. Malignant lymphoma was the most common of the nonepithelial malignant tumors, and four of these cases were seen in lepromatous leprosy patients. Eight cases showed double or triple cancers; seven of these were autopsied during 1977 to 1989. Further studies should be done to ascertain which types of leprosy showed the highest incidence, and which sex showed more frequent malignant tumors.

Aged↗

Limbal anesthesia for cataract surgery.

We present a new technique for the administration of anesthesia in cataract surgery. The technique consists of injecting 0.5 ml of locally-acting anesthetic subconjunctivally (or sub-Tenon's) along the superior limbal border. Using this method, we performed extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) with and without posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC-IOL) implantation or secondary PC-IOL implantation on 176 cataract patients. Anesthesia was successfully induced in the majority of these patients and all surgeries were carried out successfully with no major complications. Voluntary eye movements remained but did not interfere with surgery. On the contrary, they helped expose certain surgical sites. This new anesthetic method for cataract surgery is simple and minimizes complications attributed to other blind anesthetic techniques.

Adult↗

Combined effects of vibration and noise on palmar sweating in healthy subjects.

The combined effects of vibration and noise on palmar sweating were studied experimentally in healthy subjects. Ten subjects were exposed to vibration at an acceleration of 100 m.sec-2 root mean square at a frequency of 125 Hz, a noise level of 105 dB(A) at a frequency of 1000 Hz and both stimuli together. Vibration was applied to the right hand and noise to both ears from headphones. Palmar sweating was measured by the ventilated capsule method. Vibration caused a marked increase in palmar sweating of the right hand directly exposed to vibration and also of the left hand not exposed to vibration. Simultaneous vibration and noise caused a greater increase in palmar sweating than by each of the factors separately. The combined effects tended to be greater in subjects who were more susceptible to vibration or noise.

Adult↗

Histopathological changes of human tumors following thermoradiotherapy.

Twenty human malignant tumors treated with thermoradiotherapy were examined histopathologically. Hyperthermia was administered regionally with a 13.56-MHz or 8-MHz RF heating device, once or twice a week after irradiation, 2 to 12 sessions in total. Fifteen tumors received a total radiation dose of 26 to 70 Gy in fractions of 1.8 Gy to 2.0 Gy a day, 5 days a week, whereas five tumors received a total dose of 20 to 60 Gy in fractions of 4 Gy each, twice a week. Microscopic examination of 4 of the 20 tumors revealed complete necrosis throughout the cross-section of the entire tumor. All the four tumors had received a total dose of over 60 Gy and a tumor center temperature of over 42 degrees C. In 10 tumors, more than 50% but less than 99% of the cross-section of the entire tumor had massive coagulation necrosis. The remaining six tumors showed relatively little change; the area of intratumor necrosis was less than 50%. The grade of tumor necrosis was dependent on both the temperatures of tumor center and periphery, and a total radiation dose. The small blood vessels and capillaries in the tumor parenchyma were markedly damaged in 16 of the 20 tumors, while the blood vessels in the tumor stroma were damaged in only 2 tumors. Condensation of the destroyed nucleus observed in 15 tumors was considered to be a typical change induced by thermoradiotherapy. Viable tumor cells remained in the tumor central area in only four tumors and around the blood vessels in only three tumors. However, in the tumor peripheral area, viable tumor cells were observed in 16 out of the 20 tumors. These results indicate that histopathological changes induced by thermoradiotherapy are greater in the tumor central area than in the tumor peripheral area, and provide strong rationale for utilizing full dose radiation therapy in combination with hyperthermia as opposed to lower doses for cancer therapy.

Adult↗

[Analysis of subjective symptoms of coldness and numbness in the upper and lower limbs among patients with vibration syndrome].

Coldness and numbness of the lower limbs in patients with vibration syndrome were studied in correlation with the frequency of attacks of vibration-induced white finger (VWF), coldness and numbness of the upper limbs, and awakening at night due to numbness of the arm. Subjects were 229 patients aged 50-69 years without disease other than vibration syndrome who had mainly operated chain saws. The present study showed that patients with more frequent VWF attacks had a higher prevalence and frequency of coldness in the fingers, awakening at night due to numbness of the arm, and coldness and numbness in the legs. Particularly patients having almost daily attacks of VWF had a high prevalence of these symptoms. Positive correlation was observed in prevalence and frequency between coldness of the fingers and that of the legs, and between coldness and numbness in the legs. The prevalence of VWF, numbness and coldness of the fingers, and coldness of the legs was higher the longer the total chain saw operating period. The present findings suggest that patients with severe circulatory disturbances in the upper limbs have severe circulatory disturbance in the lower limbs. Further studies on circulatory disturbances in the lower limbs are indicated, and their mechanism involved should be also pursued from the pathogenetic point of view.

Aged↗

[Experimental studies on the combined effect of radiation and UFT 1. Radiosensitizing effect of UFT under single X-ray exposure].

The combined effects of X-ray and UFT, which is a mixture of tegafur (FT) and uracil, were studied using C3H mouse mammary carcinoma. Tumors were irradiated with a single dose of 1,000 R, 2,000 R one week after intramuscular transplantation. UFT (FT 15mg/kg+Uracil 33.6mg/kg) was intragastrically administered 2 hours before irradiation. In the group treated by combination of UFT and 1,000 R, the dose modifying factor (DMF) of UFT was 1.28 on the tumor growth delay and 1.64 on the survival time. A decrease in pulmonary metastases was found in the group treated by combination of UFT and radiation. It is suggested that UFT is a useful oral drug for combined treatment with radiation.

Animals↗

Identification of irradiated pepper with the level of hydrogen gas as a probe.

A novel method to detect whether or not a particular pepper has been irradiated has been developed which is based on the fact that H2 is formed in organic substances irradiated with ionizing radiation. Following gamma irradiation, black and white peppers were ground to powder in a gastight ceramic mill. By gas-chromatographic analysis of the gas in the mill, we observed that H2 had been released from the irradiated pepper grains. Curves plotting the H2 content vs storage time at storage temperatures of 7, 22, and 30 degrees C showed that the higher the temperatures, the smaller the H2 content, and that identification of irradiated pepper was possible for 2-4 months after 10 kGy irradiation.

Chromatography, Gas↗

Correlation between vibration-induced white finger and symptoms of upper and lower extremities in vibration syndrome.

The correlation was investigated between the frequency of attacks of vibration-induced white finger (VWF) and numbness or coldness of the fingers and legs in patients with vibration syndrome. Some 1687 patients with vibration syndrome were examined and of these 342 chain-saw operators and 277 rock-drill operators had no disease other than vibration syndrome. Then subjects were matched by age and period of treatment within three years. In the last analysis, 20 in the VWF "almost everyday" group or in the "never" group, and 40 in the "occasionally" group were selected from the chain-saw operators, and from the rock-drill operators 32 in the VWF "everyday" or the "never" group and 64 in the "occasionally" group. The present study showed that, with the frequency of VWF attacks, patients had a higher prevalence of coldness not only in the fingers but also in the legs. These findings suggest a correlation between the severity of circulatory disturbances of the upper extremities and that of the lower ones in patients with vibration syndrome. Further studies on circulatory disturbances in the leg are required.

Fingers↗

Lymphangiosis carcinomatosa of the liver.

A study of lymphangiosis carcinomatosa of the liver was performed. Lymphangiosis carcinomatosa is a disease showing diffuse lymphangitic spread of cancer cells in the interstitium of the organ. Among a total of 762 cases of malignant disease, lymphangiosis carcinomatosa of the liver was found in 10 cases out of 250 with liver metastases. Among a total of 10 cases of primary cancer showing this condition, 8 were gastric cancer, the other 2 being pancreas cancer and gallbladder cancer. With regard to the histological type of primary cancer in this disease, all cases were poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. On the basis of the histological findings, the spread of this disease seems to occur in a retrograde manner from the large lymphatics of the hilum to the periphery.

Adult↗

Effect of alpha-human atrial natriuretic peptides on intraocular pressure in normal albino rabbits.

The effect of alpha-human atrial natriuretic peptide (alpha-hANP) on the intraocular pressure (IOP) was studied in normal rabbits. Dose response studies to IOP were performed after intravenous administration of alpha-hANP at 6.25, 12.5, 25.0, 50 and 100 micrograms/kg to the rabbits. The maximum reduction in IOP was observed to occur with the alpha-hANP 50 micrograms/kg dose. The time course of the pressure response to alpha-hANP were measured prior to and following intravenous administration of 50 micrograms/kg of alpha-hANP. The change in IOP and blood pressure showed the same pattern in the simultaneous record. Silver grains of 125I-alpha-hANP (10 microCi/g body weight) were detected in the ciliary processes of mice by radioautography after intravenous injection. The pupillary response was not tested in this experiment. The mechanism of IOP reduction was discussed.

Animals↗

Pathological features of peripheral facial paralysis caused by malignant tumour.

It has been reported that tumour invasion of the facial canal does not necessarily produce facial paralysis. The purpose of this paper is to present the facial nerve pathology in cases of facial paralysis caused by malignant neoplasms. Forty-seven temporal bones acquired from patients who died of malignant neoplasms were used for this analysis. Of the 47, 18 temporal bones (38.3%) had temporal bone metastasis or invasion. In 6 cases, the tumour destroyed the bony facial canals exposing the facial nerves to the invading tumour cells. The records of the patients showed that only half of the patients had facial paralysis. Those in whom tumour cells invaded the facial nerve beyond the epineural sheath had complete facial paralysis before death.

Bone Neoplasms↗

[Anti-tumour effect of UFT on human renal cell carcinoma heterotransplanted into nude mice].

1) Using two histologically different human renal cell carcinomas heterotransplanted into nude mice, the antitumour effect of UFT was investigated, and an attempt was made to analyze the properties of the tumour strains where a drug efficacy was noted. 2) The two strains used were the JRC 1 strain (tumour doubling time of 9.4 days, clear cell type, papillary histologic pattern, grade 3) and the JRC 11 strain (tumour doubling time of 2.72 days, granular cell type, anaplastic histologic pattern, grade 4). 3) Two dose groups were set up, one receiving 10 mg/kg of tegafur (FT) and 22.4 mg/kg of uracil and the other receiving 20 mg/kg of FT and 44.8 mg/kg of uracil. Each group was further divided into an early administration group (start of administration 3 days after the tumour transplantation) and a late administration group (start of administration at a time when the transplanted tumour proliferated to weight of 100 to 300 mg). 4) Effect as noted in the tumour proliferation inhibition rate was seen only in the group receiving 20 mg/kg of FT and 44.8 mg/kg of uracil in both early and late administration groups of the JRC 1 strain. Among these groups only the early administration groups showed a histological positive effect. 5) The fact that the measured 5-FU intra-tumour concentration in the JRC 1 strain was only 1/4 that of the JRC 11 strain demonstrates more susceptibility of JRC 1 strain to UFT. Moreover, intratumoral concentration of 5-FU differed markedly even with the same administration method and dosage level. This result indicates that intra-tumour concentration will be different if the histological pattern differs.

Animals↗

[Experimental studies of multiple fractions per day (MFD) at smaller doses than 2 Gy].

Effects of twice daily fractionations (B.I.D.) at smaller doses per fraction than 2 Gy on mammary carcinoma of C3H/He mouse (alpha/beta ratio = 15-20 Gy) were studied. Sixty percent doses of conventional fractionations (Q.D.) were irradiated twice daily with 4 hours interval. Though B.I.D. at 120 R, 150 R were less effective than Q.D. at 200 R, 250 R, B.I.D. at 180 R were more effective than Q.D. at 300 R, equivalent to the increments of the total doses. B.I.D. at smaller doses than "flexure dose" (not equal to 0.1 x alpha/beta) seemed to be less effective for tumors. Human tumors transplanted to nude mice might be useful to study therapeutic gain ratio.

Adenocarcinoma↗

2',5'-Oligoadenylate synthetase activity in peripheral blood lymphocytes as a clinical marker in interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis B.

Treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with human leukocyte interferon (IFN-alpha) was studied in terms of increase of 2',5'-oligoadenylate (2-5A) synthetase activity in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) after IFN-alpha administration. The 2-5A synthetase activity in PBL increased to a maximum 16-24 h after IFN-alpha injection and then gradually decreased, while serum HB virus DNA polymerase (HBV-DNAP) activity, which corresponds to the amount of HBV virions in the serum, decreased to a minimum after about 48 h. Increase in 2-5A synthetase activity was followed about 1 day later by decrease in DNAP activity. Furthermore, of 9 patients treated with IFN for at least 22 weeks and observed for over 1 year after IFN treatment, the effective 5 cases in which HBeAg disappeared during IFN therapy and did not reappear showed rather high increases in 2-5A synthetase activity, whereas the ineffective 4 cases in which HBeAg remained positive at the end of IFN therapy showed little increases in enzyme activity. The present study suggests that prescreening by 2-5A synthetase assay before IFN therapy should be useful for obtaining better results in IFN treatment of CHB patients.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗