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Biomedical subjects

M Itoh

Publications and source records attributed to M Itoh.

1,236 records · Page 69Linked to original sources

Depressive state and regional cerebral activity in cancer patients - a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate influences of depressive states, chemotherapy and existence of remaining tumors on the regional brain activity of cancer patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Positron emission tomography with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose was performed on 21 patients with various types of cancer. Their brain images were compared to 10 age- and gender-matched control data using statistical parametric mapping (SPM). The patients were subgrouped into the with and without depression based on the scores on Zung's self-rating depression scale (SDS), with and without previous chemotherapy, and with and without existence of remaining tumors. RESULTS: Significant metabolic reduction was detected in the cingulate gyrus, prefrontal, dorsolateral prefrontal, temporoparietal cortices and basal ganglia in cancer patients. These findings were close to known lesions of major depression. Intra-group comparisons showed that these hypometabolic findings were associated with the depth of depressive state. Influences of chemotherapy and remaining tumors on the cerebral cortex seemed to be weaker than that of psychological factors. CONCLUSIONS: The present pilot study suggests that frontal hypoactivity commonly seen in cancer patients is likely to be associated with depression rather than chemotherapy or remaining tumors. A brain mapping technique might be useful in evaluating neuropsychiatric problems in cancer patients.

Adult↗

Atypical primary sclerosing cholangitis cases associated with unusual pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We encountered one group of primary sclerosing cholangitis cases which met classic criteria, but demonstrated better clinical courses. METHODOLOGY: We evaluated the clinical characteristics of several cases of primary sclerosing cholangitis, especially those associated with chronic pancreatitis. RESULTS: Of a total of 25 cases, eight had a background of pancreatitis with unusual irregularly segmental or diffuse narrowing features on pancreatography. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography also revealed segmental or diffuse enlargement of the pancreas. Pathological findings of surgical specimens in two cases pointed to lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis. The walls of the lower biliary ducts were also thickened with a similar appearance to the pancreatic ducts. In seven cases, cholangiography displayed stenosis of the lower part of the common bile duct and in one case, only the hepatic hilar region was affected. In this case both biliary and pancreatic lesions responded to steroid therapy simultaneously. One case developed hepatic hilar stenosis four months after a lesion in the lower part of the common bile duct had disappeared. The cases of primary sclerosing cholangitis with pancreatitis demonstrated better clinical courses than did typical cases of primary sclerosing cholangitis. Six cases were characterized by autoimmunological abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that similar etiological agents might impact on both the pancreas and biliary tract, either simultaneously or in sequence. We propose new criteria for these atypical primary sclerosing cholangitis cases.

Aged↗

Spontaneous ruptured middle colic artery aneurysm with concurrent renal cell carcinoma.

We present the first reported case of spontaneous ruptured middle colic artery aneurysm in a patient who has concurrent hypervascular tumor which has a potential for rupturing. A 68-year-old Japanese man was admitted with abdominal pain and hypervascular renal tumor which developed in the subcapsular cortex and protruded outward. The next morning after admission, anemia rapidly progressed and severe abdominal pain developed. Emergency laparotomy was performed for a preliminary diagnosis of ruptured hypervascular renal tumor. However, the renal tumor was not ruptured but a ruptured middle colic artery aneurysm was found. The aneurysm measured 3.0 x 2.0 cm in greatest diameter and was resected. Three weeks later, nephrectomy for hypervascular renal tumor was electively performed. Histologically, the tumor was clear cell carcinoma. In the present case, the diagnosis of ruptured middle colic artery was extremely difficult.

Aged↗

Successful treatment for the IVC syndrome due to recurrence of colon cancer--chemotherapy in combination with the use of the expandable metallic stent placement.

A 73-year-old woman developed severe edema of the abdominal walls and legs due to rapid regrowth of unresectable paraaortic lymph node metastasis from ascending colon cancer. The expandable metallic stent was placed at the site of stenosis. Following the stent placement, she had marked improvement in her urinary output, ascitic drainage and edema of the lower extremity. Subsequently, intravenous infusion of 5-fluorouracil with high-dose leucovorin was performed. The irritable symptom disappeared completely after 5 weeks, and the patient recovered the ability to walk. The patient is alive 22 months after primary noncurative operation. Symptoms did not recur 4 months after the placement of the stent. The authors recommend the multimodality for palliation therapy in unresectable colorectal cancer.

Aged↗

FDG-PET findings in sclerosing hemangioma of the lung: a case report.

We report a case of sclerosing hemangioma of the lung that showed an intermediately increased accumulation of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) on positron emission tomography (PET). We suggest that FDG-PET may be useful for considering a lesion as benign or low-grade malignant.

Female↗

Effects of nipradilol on the microvascular tone of rat mesentery: comparison with other beta-blockers and vasodilators.

The effects of nipradilol, a nonselective beta-blocker with vasodilator activities, on the diameter of arterioles and venules were examined in rat mesentery in vivo and were compared with those of propranolol, atenolol, labetalol, nifedipine and nitroglycerin. Topical application of nipradilol (10(-7) M and 10(-6) M) dilated the arterioles significantly to 109 +/- 2% and 112 +/- 2% of control, respectively (mean +/- S.E.; n = 9; p < 0.01), without changes in blood pressure and pulse rate. The dilator effect was comparable to that of nifedipine and nitroglycerin. Propranolol constricted the arterioles (to 86 +/- 3% at 10(-7) M; n = 9; p < 0.01), but atenolol and labetalol had no significant effects. Nitroglycerin dilated venules significantly (to 108 +/- 2% at 10(-7) M; n = 6; p < 0.01) but other drugs showed no significant effects on the tone of venules. Unlike the other beta-blockers used in this study, nipradilol has dilator effects on arterioles as have nifedipine and nitroglycerin.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Analysis of imaging parameters, relaxation time (T1,T2), and relative proton density as they influence the signal intensity of spin echo images.

It is difficult to recognize signal intensity changes on spin echo (SE) images. Clinically both T1-weighted and T2-weighted images are now used in most institutions to evaluate signal intensity changes due to different T1 and T2 of the lesions in MRI. However, these are not sufficient to understand signal intensity changes completely. The authors attempted to summarize on a two-dimensional graph the effects of T1, T2, proton density, and imaging parameters that influence signal intensities on SE images. Both end point (E) and start point (S), as defined later, depended mainly on proton density, but the former also depended on T2 and the later on T1 value. The image obtained in the former situation (near point E) was then called the T2-weighted image. Conditions to accelerate recovery and attenuation velocities (VR and VA), also mentioned later, were the same as those that increased points E and S, respectively. However, when TR was relatively short, the effect of a shorter T1 on VR was greatly emphasized. Such an image was then called the T1-weighted image.

Adult↗

31P-NMR spectroscopy of myopathies: clinical application of whole-body MR.

Patients with myopathies were examined by 31P-NMR spectroscopy using a whole body MR system operating at 1.5 T. Spectra from the femoral muscles were measured as a function of time during a post-exercise recovery period. A 4-min scanning time was used to obtain a good S/N ratio and enable us to evaluate the relative intensity and position of each absorption line. The results were expressed by PCr/Pi ratio and pH value and compared with values before exercise. Clear changes were observed in the recovery process after workload depending on the stage of disease. We were able to observe the in vivo dynamic energy metabolism of myopathies by whole-body MR.

Adult↗

Early stage detection of chemotherapeutic effect on 203 GL glioma in mice as studied by P-31 NMR and flow cytometry.

The effect of chemotherapy against glioma in mouse was evaluated by 31P NMR spectroscopy and flow cytometry. We found that administration of ACNU or tegafur at a dose less than LD50 resulted in the partial suppression of the ratio of inorganic phosphate (Pi)/phosphocreatine (PCr) and phosphomonoester (PME)/creatine phosphate (PCr) after 24 or 48 hr, although these ratios are usually increased together with growth of tumors. Flow cytometric analysis of glioma in vivo showed an accumulation in cells containing tetraploid DNA by G2M block 24-48 hr after treatment. However, the change occurred at a period slightly later than that of the Pi/PCr ratio. In contrast, histological change was noted at eight days after administration. Hence, it is concluded that in vivo 31P NMR spectroscopy can detect a change in metabolic pathways in tumors as early as 24-48 hr after the administration of chemotherapeutic agents.

Animals↗

Spontaneous degeneration of testicular germ cells in congenitally athymic nude mice of four strains: a light microscopical observation.

Many hormonal studies have demonstrated that the presence of thymic factors affects testicular function. However, morphological studies on the testis in the absence of thymic factors are very limited. In the present study, seminiferous tubules of nude mice of four strains were light microscopically observed in order to investigate the effect of congenital athymia on germinal cell components. Testes obtained from congenitally athymic nude mice of CD1, BALB/c-nu/nu, LASAT, and KSN strains were fixed in Bouin's solution, dehydrated, and embedded in plastic. The samples were cut and their sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The results showed that degeneration of testicular germ cells was focally observed in all four strains of athymic mice. The degenerating morphology was characterized by karyopyknosis and karyolysis of immature germ cells, multinuclear giant cell formation, and severe depletion of epithelial components with remaining Sertoli cells and/or some spermatogonia. KSN nude mice showed the most severe degenerative changes among the four strains of nude mice examined. Their significant degenerative changes first appeared at 2 weeks of age. In contrast, CD1 nude mice showed very slight degenerative features even at 20 weeks of age. BALB/c-nu/nu and LASAT nude mice had more degenerated epithelia than did CD1 nude mice; however, their significant degenerative changes were apparent at 20 but not at 10 weeks of age. Therefore, the severity and the onset of spontaneous degeneration and depletion of testicular germ cells in congenitally athymic mice were different among the four strains examined.

Animals↗

Patterns of efferent lymphatics of the mouse testis.

Previous studies in the rat demonstrated that lymph vessels arise from various sites in the testis and then anastomose to form the main lymph trunk toward the testicular artery. Although mice are as commonly used in the laboratory as the rat, precise knowledge concerning their testicular lymphatics has not been established. In the present study, the patterns of testicular lymphatic drainage in the mouse were examined using local injection of India ink into the testicular parenchyma. The results demonstrated that, besides the lymph trunk surrounding the testicular artery, a lymphatic drainage route running along the ductus deferens is also present.

Animals↗

Multiple parapapillary choledochoduodenal fistulas with ampullary carcinoma.

Only very rarely do multiple parapapillary choledochoduodenal fistulas occur concurrently with ampullary carcinoma. The following presents just such a case, which occurred in a 51 year-old Japanese female hospitalized for epigastralgia. Gastrointestinal fiberscopy (GIF) showed abnormal swelling of Vater's papilla. She was diagnosed as having ampullary carcinoma and choledochoduodenal fistulas, as determined by hypotonic duodenography (HDG), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and from the histopathology of the ampullary mucosal biopsy. Pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. We postulated that the multiple fistulas were formed on the longitudinal fold of Vater's papilla by an ampullary carcinoma, and that the fistulas played a major role in bile drainage. As a result, jaundice was not seen throughout the entire clinical course. We report on the mechanism of fistula formation, with a review of the recent literature.

Ampulla of Vater↗