Biomedical subjects

M Takasaki

Publications and source records attributed to M Takasaki.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Simultaneous activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate and neurokinin-1 receptors modulates c-Fos and Zif/268 expression in the rat trigeminal nucleus caudalis.

We examined the acute expression of c-Fos or Zif/268 by simultaneous activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor and neurokinin-1 receptor of the trigeminal nucleus caudalis in anesthetized rats. A selective N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor agonist, N-methyl-D-aspartate, and/or a selective neurokinin-1 receptor agonist, substance P, was applied topically to the dorsal surface of the spinal trigeminal tract. Immunohistochemically stained nuclei for c-Fos and Zif/268 at laminae I and II of the trigeminal nucleus caudalis were counted. Ipsilateral c-Fos and Zif/268 were increased significantly dose-dependently by N-methyl-D-aspartate (at 136 and 340 microM, and at 68, 136 and 340 microM, respectively). On the contralateral side, only Zif/268 increased significantly (at 68, 136 or 340 microM). These increases were abolished by D-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (at 25 mM), a selective N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist. Substance P (at 3.7 or 7. 4 microM) significantly increased dose-dependently ipsilateral c-Fos and Zif/268. On the contralateral side, only c-Fos was significantly increased (at 3.7 and 7.4 microM). These increases were abolished by D-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (at 25 mM) and L-703,606 (at 10 microM), a selective neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist. The combined application of N-methyl-D-aspartate 340 microM + substance P (at 0.74 or 3.7 microM) significantly increased ipsilateral c-Fos compared to either agent alone. Combined application of N-methyl-D-aspartate 340 microM + substance P at 0.74, 3.7 or 7.4 microM significantly increased ipsilateral Zif/268 expression compared to either drug alone. Other combinations did not increase c-Fos and Zif/268. Our results indicate that activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate or neurokinin-1 receptor of the trigeminal nucleus caudalis contributes to the acute induction of both c-Fos and Zif/268 on the ipsilateral superficial layer of this nucleus and simultaneous activation of both receptors by their agonists with specific concentrations produces a marked expression of these proteins. Simultaneous activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate and neurokinin-1 receptors under some specific conditions may augment synaptic transmission, contributing to long-term neuronal change.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Dietary short-chain fructooligosaccharides increase calbindin-D9k levels only in the large intestine in rats independent of dietary calcium deficiency or serum 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D levels.

Dietary short-chain fructooligosaccharides (Sc-FOS) increase mucosal calbindin-D9k (CaBP) levels in the large intestine whereas levels in the small intestine are decreased in rats. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism by which Sc-FOS induce this increase in CaBP in the large intestine by measuring intestinal CaBP levels in rats fed normal and calcium-deficient diets. Dietary groups included a calcium-containing (0.5%) diet with or without Sc-FOS (100 g/kg diet) and a calcium-deficient (abt. 0.01%) diet with or without Sc-FOS (100 g/kg diet). The rats were fed these diets for 10 days following which they were killed and the intestine removed for collection of the entire mucosa which was divided into four segments, i.e., proximal and distal segments of the small intestine, the cecum and the colorectum. Mucosal CaBP and plasma calcium (Ca), 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25(OH)2D3), 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D3), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin levels were measured. Feeding of calcium deficient diet resulted in an increase in CaBP levels in the small intestine, but did not influence levels in the large intestine. Moreover, a significant positive correlation between plasma 1,25(OH)2D3 and CaBP levels in the case of both small intestinal segments (proximal, r = 0.77012, p < 0.00007; distal, r = 0.75056, p < 0.00014) was observed, but not in the case of the large intestinal segments. Sc-FOS increased CaBP levels in the large intestine. These results suggest that the large intestinal CaBP levels do not change in response to dietary calcium conditions and are not regulated by circulating 1,25(OH)2D3 indicating that the effect of Sc-FOS on CaBP levels in the large intestine is independent of the action of 1,25(OH)2D3.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

The cecum and dietary short-chain fructooligosaccharides are involved in preventing postgastrectomy anemia in rats.

Dietary short-chain fructooligosaccharides (Sc-FOS) stimulate absorption of calcium and magnesium in the large intestine of rats. In this study, we examined whether Sc-FOS stimulate iron absorption in the large intestine by monitoring recovery from anemia in gastrectomized rats, with or without cecectomy. The rats were divided into four groups, i.e., sham-operated (Sham), gastrectomized only (GX), cecectomized only (CX) and both gastrectomized and cecectomized (GCX). Half of the rats in each group were fed a control diet (AIN-93G) and the other half were fed a Sc-FOS-containing diet (75 g/kg diet) for 28 d. Hematocrit (Ht) and hemoglobin concentration (Hb) were measured at the start, and on d 14 and 28 after the start of feeding. On the final day of the study, total blood was collected. Gastrectomy significantly decreased Ht and Hb, but cecectomy did not influence these variables. Dietary Sc-FOS prevented the decrease in Ht and Hb significantly. In the gastrectomized rats, the effectiveness of Sc-FOS in preventing postgastrectomy anemia was significantly diminished by cecectomy. These results suggest that the effect of Sc-FOS in increasing absorption of iron in gastrectomized rats takes place in part in the cecum. The cecum plays an important role in the mechanism by which Sc-FOS prevent postgastrectomy anemia.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2000

Boron nutrition of cultured tobacco BY-2 cells. III. Characterization of the boron-rhamnogalacturonan II complex in cells acclimated to low levels of boron.

Cultured cells of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) BY-2 which could propagate at the same rate as the parent cells (1 mg B liter(-1)) under a lower level of boron (0.01 mg B liter(-1)) were obtained. The selected cells had swollen cell walls. In the parent cells, all the RG-II occurred as a B-RG-II complex, however, two-thirds of the RG-II occurred in a monomeric form in the selected cells.

Boron↗

PubMed2000

Comparisons of the anesthetic potency and intracellular concentrations of S(-) and R() bupivacaine and ropivacaine in crayfish giant axon in vitro.

UNLABELLED: Levobupivacaine and ropivacaine are both single S(-) enantiomers that have less severe cardiotoxic and convulsant effects than racemic bupivacaine. We compared the anesthetic actions of S(-) bupivacaine, R(+) bupivacaine, and ropivacaine in vitro by studying their effects on action potential amplitude and the maximal rate of rise of action potential in crayfish giant axon. To clarify the difference of intracellular anesthetic concentration, the intracellular ionized anesthetic concentration was measured. Desheathed crayfish axons were stimulated at a frequency of either 0. 1 or 5 Hz and perfused with 1 mM of each anesthetic at pH 7.0. Intracellular anesthetic concentration was measured by us- ing local anesthetic-sensitive glass microelectrodes. At 0.1-Hz stimulation, no differences were observed in their potency. At 5-Hz stimulation, the order of magnitude of the mean percentage decrease in maximal rate of rise of action potential was S(-) bupivacaine > R(+) bupivacaine > ropivacaine. Intracellular local anesthetic concentration did not differ among the three anesthetics at 0.1 Hz and 5 Hz. We conclude that, compared with ropivacaine, S(-) bupivacaine has a more potent phasic blocking effect in crayfish giant axon. The intracellular local anesthetic concentrations of S(-), R(+) bupivacaine and ropivacaine were not significantly different, regardless of differences in blocking effect and stimulation frequency. IMPLICATIONS: S(-) bupivacaine has a more potent phasic blocking effect than ropivacaine or R(+) bupivacaine in crayfish giant axons in vitro. An equivalent intracellular local anesthetic concentration for the three anesthetics was found, suggesting that the intracellular cationic local anesthetic concentration is not directly correlated with the intensity of block.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed2000

Lidocaine disrupts axonal membrane of rat sciatic nerve in vitro.

UNLABELLED: Highly concentrated lidocaine has been reported to induce irreversible loss of membrane potential in crayfish nerve, which implies membrane disruption as one of the direct mechanisms of lidocaine-induced neurotoxicity. To confirm lidocaine-induced membrane disruption in mammalian nerve, a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage from rat sciatic nerve was measured in vitro. Before applying lidocaine, the desheathed nerve was incubated for 60 min in Krebs-Ringer solution at 37 degrees C to examine basal LDH activity. It was then incubated in 80 mM lidocaine solution at pH 7.3 for 15, 30, 60, or 120 min. Other nerves were immersed in 800 mM choline solution for 120 min. Total LDH activity per wet weight of nerve tissue was assayed using spectrophotometry. It was also determined using nerves cut into 10 segments and incubated in distilled water for 60 min. The LDH activity in the lidocaine group showed a time-dependent increase. After the 60- and 120-min incubation with lidocaine, the amount of LDH activity was significantly increased compared with the choline group and was similar to that of the group incubated in distilled water. We conclude that 80 mM lidocaine may be sufficient to cause membrane damage and facilitate the leakage of enzymes from cytoplasm. IMPLICATIONS: This study demonstrates that exposing the rat myelinated nerve to lidocaine at a clinically used concentration for more than 30 min causes enough membrane damage to allow enzyme leakage. In clinical practice, the smallest effective dose should be used.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2000

Peripheral airway findings in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using an ultrathin bronchoscope.

The authors performed bronchoscopic examination using an ultrathin bronchoscope to determine the characteristics of the peripheral airways in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study population comprised 13 healthy control subjects, 10 patients with chronic bronchitis without airflow limitation, and 20 patients with COPD. The COPD patients were divided clinically into 10 with chronic bronchitis and 10 with pulmonary emphysema. The peripheral airways were examined using an ultrathin bronchoscope. In chronic bronchitis, peripheral airways of the 11th or 12th generation showed a high frequency of obstruction and mucosal changes such as granulation. In pulmonary emphysema, the peripheral airways frequently showed a net-like appearance of the bronchial epithelium and obstruction at the 11th or 12th generation. Morphological changes of the small airways in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be detected by an ultrathin bronchoscope, and this method is likely to be useful for investigating the small airways in vivo.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Oscillatory oxido-reductive reaction of intracellular hemoglobin in human erythrocyte incubated with o-aminophenol.

When human erythrocytes were incubated with o-aminophenol at pH 7.0 at 37 degrees C for 46 hours, intracellular oxyhemoglobin was completely oxidized to methemoglobin during the initial 6 hours, and methemoglobin formed was then reduced to oxyhemoglobin during the following 20 hours. This was demonstrated by the changes in absorption spectra of intracellular hemoglobin. Such oscillatory behavior of intracellular hemoglobin during reaction with o-aminophenol was explained by the fact that o-aminophenol has the ability to both oxidize oxyhemoglobin and reduce methemoglobin. In order to study the mechanism of oxido-reductive reactions of hemoglobin with aromatic reductants including o-aminophenol, the oxidation of ferrous hemoglobin and reduction of methemoglobin with various aromatic reductants such as o-aminophenol, 2-amino-4-methyl-phenol, 2-amino-5-methylphenol, and homogentisic acid were investigated under various conditions. It was found that oxyhemoglobin was oxidized by these aromatic compounds, and the oxidation rate was accelerated in the presence of inositol hexaphosphate, but was not affected in the presence of catalase and superoxide dismutase, except for the case with homogentisic acid. The oxidation of ferrous hemoglobin by these compounds did not proceed under anaerobic conditions. Methemoglobin was reduced by these aromatic compounds, and the reduction rate was much accelerated in the presence of inositol hexaphosphate, but was not affected in the presence of catalase and superoxide dismutase, except for the case with homogentisic acid. The reduction of methemoglobin by these compounds proceeded under anaerobic conditions, suggesting that ferric heme of hemoglobin reacts directly with aromatic reductants. On the basis of these results, the mechanism of oxido-reductive reaction of ferrous and ferric hemoglobin with aromatic reductants was proposed.

Aminophenols↗

PubMed2000

[Dementia and disability after initial cerebral thrombosis evaluated by MRI and their clinical course].

This study was conducted to clarify the relationship between long-term prognosis of functional status after stroke and the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings as well as complications in the course. A total of 98 patients with initial cerebral thrombosis were enrolled, and 65 patients surviving 5 years after the event, were studied in terms of cognitive function and activity of daily living (ADL). Mean age at registration (3 months after the event) was 72.0 years-old and 44 were male. MRI findings were divided into eight categories including the size and laterality of infarction, in addition to six categories as previously described. The presence of dementia was identified according to the HDS-R and the DSM-III-R scales, and the extent of dementia, assessed with the CDR scale, was divided into 3 grades: none, mild, and severe. The extent of ADL status was also graded into 3 classes: independent, partially dependent, and completely dependent. Recurrence of stroke, pneumonia, and motor disorders (hip joint fracture) were counted as complications during the course. At baseline, dementia was identified in 44, consisting of 30 mild and 14 severe dementias. During 5 years, 11 cases with mild dementia showed deterioration, and 1 case without dementia developed mild dementia. At registration, there were 46 cases with partially dependent ADL status and 22 cases completely dependent, while deterioration of ADL was seen in 17 during 5 years. Multiple regression analyses showed that diffuse PVH and pneumonia were contributory factors to the development of dementia, while dementia, pneumonia and motor disorders were risk factors for deterioration of ADL. These findings suggested that in patients with cerebral thrombosis, especially in patients with diffuse PVH, pneumonia and motor disorders should be taken care of in order to prevent functional decline.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2000

[Ultrasonographic findings of carotid arteries in female patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans and aortic aneurysm].

To clarify carotid arterial changes in female patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) and aortic aneurysm (AA), ultrasonographic (US) findings of the extra-cranial carotid arteries were studied in 26 patients with ASO (ASO group), and 31 patients with AA (AA group), compared to 38 controls (control group) with neither ASO nor AA. ASO was diagnosed with an ankle pressure index less than 0.9, while AA was done with computed tomography or angiography. Half of the patients with ASO were in stage II of the Fontaine clinical staging, and angiography, performed in 12, showed femoral arterial obstruction in 10. Most AA patients were abdominal aortic aneurysm. Using a high-resolution, real-time, B-mode US instrument, the diameter and wall thickness of the common carotids were measured bilaterally in the end-diastolic phase, and occlusive changes and plaque were estimated. As a risk factor for arteriosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and cigarette smoking were assessed, in addition to the age, body height and weight. Mean ages of each group were 73 to 76.3 year-old. There was no significant difference between them in body height and weight. Diabetes, cigarette smoking, and cerebrovascular disease were frequent in the ASO group, whereas ischemic heart disease was frequent in the AA group. US findings revealed that carotid lesions were mostly plaque, and bilateral carotid lesions were significantly more frequent in the ASO and AA groups. The mean wall thickness of the carotids was greater in the AA and ASO groups, although dilated carotid arteries, namely arteriomegaly, was more frequent in the AA group than in the ASO and control groups. Stepwise regression analyses demonstrated that strong correlations were seen between carotid lesion and two variables [vessel diseases (ASO/AA) and cigarette smoking], between carotid diameter and three variables (age, AA, and wall thickness), and between the wall thickness and three variables (age, vessel diseases and diameter). These findings showed that atherosclerosis was not only frequent in female patients with ASO and AA, but arteriomegaly was characteristic in female patients with AA. Therefore, it suggested that circulatory disturbance in whole organs due to arteriosclerosis should be paid attention even in female patients with ASO and AA as well as male patients. Furthermore, it is considered that systemic fragility of the arterial media and ectasia could be present extensively in patients with AA.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2000

[Effects of healthy aging on the regional cerebral blood flow measurements using 99mTc-ECD SPECT assessed with statistical parametric mapping].

To clarify the effects of normal aging on the cerebral blood flow, regional cerebral blood flow measurements++ using a Patlak Plot method of 99mTc-ECD were performed in 53 normal volunteers aged 18 to 87 years old (mean = 47.9 years). The subjects, 29 men and 24 women, were normal on clinical examination, and had neither a history of neurological nor psychiatric disease and no abnormal CT or MRI images. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) was used for automatching and an objective approach to analysis of SPECT image data. Global cerebral blood flow showed a significant decline with age (r = 0.406). The SPM analysis (voxel height; p < 0.001, Bonferroni correction; p < 0.05) demonstrated significant age-related decrease of relative rCBF in prefrontal cortices, anterior cingulate giri, and insular cortices-temporal poles bilaterally, these affected areas belonged to limbic or association cortices. Therefore, these decreases in rCBF may suggest cognitive changes that occur during normal aging.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

[Factors influencing platelet function in elderly patients with chronic phase thrombotic diseases].

To clarify the factors influencing platelet function in elderly patients with chronic thrombotic disease, platelet aggregability was studied in 839 blood samples from 497 patients with a variety of diseases. Clinical stage (thrombotic disease), vascular risk factors, and data concerning any administration of antiplatelet drugs were assessed, as well as brain computerized tomographic and carotid ultrasonographic findings. Platelet aggregability was determined spectrophotometrically with an aggregometer (PAM-8T) and adenosine-5'-diphosphate as an agonist to determine new parameters: the grading curve (GC) type, and platelet aggregability threshold index (PATI). Multiple regression analysis showed that the antiplatelet therapy greatly influenced the GC type. Platelet aggregability, which accelerated with aging, was strongly suppressed by ticlopidine. Furthermore, excluding samples with antiplatelet therapy, statistical analysis showed that platelet aggregability was accelerated in women, and in patients with bilateral or complicated carotid lesions, although these patients were significantly older than the others. These findings suggested that accelerated aggregability in the elderly substantially reflected the progress of arteriosclerosis with age. Moreover, the findings indicated that the determination of GC type and PATI were useful in monitoring elderly patients receiving antiplatelet therapy, especially with ticlopidine.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

[Hemodynamics of the lower extremities in patients with decubitus ulcers using the ultrasonic Doppler method].

Our clinical experience indicates that decubitus ulcers with tissue loss/necrosis extending beyond the subcutaneous fat in aged patients are liable to become refractory and that most of these patients experience a cold feeling/cyanosis in the lower extremities. In order to determine the relationship between the severity of the decubitus ulcers and the hemodynamics in the lower extremities, we conducted a blood flow test using the ultrasonic Doppler method on the lower extremities in patients. Sixty-eight inpatients (38 men, 30 women, with an average age of 80.5 +/- 7.6 years old) were selected. B-mode tomographs were obtained with an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The power Doppler method was used to measure blood flow rate, vascular lumen diameter, and intravascular blood flow at the dorsalis pedis artery, posterior tibial artery, peroneal artery furcation, and femoral artery. The subjects were divided into three groups: patients without decubitus ulcers; patients with mild to moderate decubitus ulcers of IAET Classification grade I-III; and patients with severe decubitus ulcers (IAET Classification grade IV), and the measurements were compared among the groups. The results revealed a tendency for the vascular lumen to become narrowed and intravascular blood flow to be reduced at all sites as decubitus ulcers increased in severity and showed the hemodynamics in the lower extremities to be particularly poor in the severe group. We measured the hemodynamics in the lower extremity with the ultrasonic Doppler method from the viewpoint of decubitus ulcer prevention and found differences in blood flow in the lower extremities according to the severity of decubitus ulcers. A reduction in blood flow in the lower extremities is considered to indirectly indicate a susceptibility to decubitus ulcers and to serve as a sign of its exacerbation. We consequently considered the test to be useful and concluded that deterioration of hemodynamics due to the progress of arteriosclerosis is one of the causes of decubitus ulcer exacerbation.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

[Clinical findings of arteriosclerosis and serum lipoprotein(a) concentration in elderly patients].

This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between arteriosclerosis and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] from the point of view of aging. A total of 354 patients (167 men) aged 60 or more were enrolled and serum Lp(a) levels, vascular risks, and complications were studied. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to age: group I (n = 73: aged 60 to 69), group II (n = 144: aged 70-79), and group III (n = 137: aged 80 or more). Vascular complications were assessed by carotid ultrasonography (US), ECG, and ankle pressure index (API), US findings were stratified according to the distribution of plaque lesions in unilateral and bilateral lesions, while plaque types were subdivided based on the morphology and US echogenicity. Male patients with risk factors (diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, cigarette smoking) as well as stroke were frequent in group I, indicating some selection bias. However, there was no difference in Lp(a) level among the three groups. Carotid lesions, especially bilateral lesions with more thickened plaques, and low API were both significantly frequent in group III. Logistic regression analysis showed that carotid lesions were influenced not only by aging, but also independently by high Lp(a) levels in group III, and by hypertension in group II. A high Lp(a) level was related to hypercholesterolemia and hypoechoic plaque. These findings indicated that atherosclerosis, which developed in both the carotid and peripheral arteries with aging, was related to different risks in each decade of life. Furthermore, it seems that a long period of high Lp(a) levels may promote the formation of hypoechoic plaque.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2000

[Relation between hippocampal damage and cerebral cortical function in Alzheimer's disease].

We investigated the relation between hippocampal damage and cerebral cortical dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD) using MRI and SPECT. Nineteen patients with AD and 10 control subjects were studied. Hippocampal damage (including hippocampal formation, entorhinal cortex, and parahippocampal white matter) was assessed to evaluate the severity of atrophy and the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) and cerebral cortical dysfunction was evaluated by quantitative cerebral blood flow (CBF) measurements using SPECT with 99mTc-ECD. Compared with controls, patients with AD had significantly more atrophy of the medial temporal lobe and a decrease in MTRs of the hippocampus and parahippocampus. There were significant correlations between the severity of hippocampal damage and regional CBF in temporoparietal lobes. Mini-Mental State Examination scores significantly correlated with the severity of hippocampal damage and regional CBFs in temporoparietal lobes. These results suggest that the functional effect of hippocampal damage occurs in temporoparietal lobes in AD, probably due to neuronal disconnections between hippocampal areas (including the entorhinal cortex) and temporoparietal lobes.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

[Preliminary clinical evaluation of low-dose CDDP and continuous 5-FU therapy for advanced gallbladder cancer].

5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has been widely used for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. Low-dose cisplatin (CDDP) and continuous venous infusion of 5-FU have recently shown additive or synergistic antitumor effects in experimental models. In this study, we evaluated the clinical effects of low-dose CDDP and 5-FU (low-dose FP therapy) in patients with advanced gallbladder cancer. From December, 1993 to June, 1998, 13 patients with advanced gallbladder cancer were treated with low-dose FP therapy. Patients were eligible for this study if they had a bidimensionally measurable tumor. 5-FU (160 mg/m2/day) was continuously infused over 24 hours using an implantable port, and CDDP (3 mg/m2/day) was infused for one hour. The administration schedule consisted of 5-FU for 7 consecutive days and CDDP for 5 days followed by a 2-day rest, each for four weeks according to response and tolerance. Low-dose FP therapy was given to 12 patients (92.3%). The response rate was 66.7% and the median survival time was 151 days. The regimen was tolerable, with the most common toxicity being nausea (38.5%). There were no severe side effects except for one patient who suffered from grade 3 nausea. We conclude that low-dose FP therapy may be useful as a palliative chemotherapy for cases of advanced gallbladder cancer.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Combination chemotherapy of continuous 5-FU infusion and low-dose cisplatin infusion for the treatment of advanced and recurrent gastric and colorectal adenocarcinomas.

We evaluate the efficacy and toxicities of low-dose FP therapy in the treatment of advanced and recurrent gastric and colorectal adenocarcinomas. 104 patients (gastric adenocarcinoma: 52, colorectal adenocarcinoma: 52) were enrolled. Low-dose FP therapy consisted of 5-FU (160 mg/m2/day every day by continuous infusion) and cisplatin (3 mg/m2/day in 100 ml of normal saline by infusion over 30 minutes on days 1-5/W). Patients were treated for 4 consecutive weeks with subsequent one-week rest period. Ninety-four of 104 patients completed this therapy, and the treatment accomplishment rate was 90%; 82% in gastric adenocarcinomas, 96% in colorectal adenocarcinomas. Two cases had CR, and 47 cases had PR, with an overall response rate of 52.1%. Response rates, 50% survival time, 1-year survival rates, and 2-year survival rates were 65.9%, 249 days, 33.7%, 19.7% in gastric adenocarcinomas, and 40.0%, 466 days, 56.7%, 29.4% in colorectal adenocarcinomas, respectively. Nausea/vomiting was the most common toxicity, occurring in 44.2% of patients treated and was predominantly mild to moderate (up to Grade 2). In 5 cases Grade 3 toxicity was observed. Low-dose FP therapy has a high antineoplastic effect and low-grade toxicity, and this therapy should become the first-choice chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced and recurrent gastric and colorectal adenocarcinomas.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2000

Longitudinal evaluation of early Alzheimer's disease using brain perfusion SPECT.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this SPECT study was to determine the initial abnormality and longitudinal changes in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in early Alzheimer's disease (AD) using statistical parametric mapping (SPM). METHODS: rCBF was noninvasively measured using (99m)Tc-ethyl cysteinate dimer SPECT in 32 patients complaining of mild cognitive impairment, with a Mini-Mental State Examination score more than 24 at the initial study, and 45 age-matched healthy volunteers. All patients satisfied the diagnostic criteria of AD during the follow-up period of at least 2 y. Follow-up SPECT studies were performed on the patients at a mean interval of 15 mo. We used the raw data (absolute rCBF parametric maps) and the adjusted rCBF images of relative flow distribution (normalization of global cerebral blood flow [CBF] for each subject to 50 mL/100 g/min with proportional scaling) to compare these groups with SPM. RESULTS: In the baseline study, the adjusted rCBF was significantly and bilaterally decreased in the posterior cingulate gyri and precunei of patients compared with healthy volunteers. In the follow-up study, selected reduction of the adjusted rCBF was observed in the left hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus. These areas showed the most prominent reduction in absolute rCBF on each occasion. Moreover, further decline of the absolute rCBF was longitudinally observed in extensive areas of the cerebral association cortex. CONCLUSION: SPM analysis showed the characteristic early-AD rCBF pattern of selective decrease and longitudinal decline, which may be overlooked by a conventional region-of-interest technique with observer a priori choice and hypothesis. This alteration in rCBF may closely relate to the pathophysiologic process of this disease.

Aged↗