Biomedical subjects

M Yoshida

Publications and source records attributed to M Yoshida.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

Prognostic significance of ultrasound derived intratumoral peak systolic velocity in epithelial ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic significance of ultrasound derived intratumoral peak systolic velocity in epithelial ovarian cancer. DESIGN: Color Doppler imaging and pulsed Doppler spectral analysis were used in the investigation of 49 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (19 serous, 15 mucinous, eight endometrioid, four clear cell and three Brenner cell) immediately before laparotomy. Twenty-two were stage I, six were stage II, 17 were stage III and four were stage IV. Sections of malignant tumors were analyzed for the cellular expression of thymidine phosphorylase and the intratumoral density of microvessels by immunohistochemistry using antibodies to thymidine phosphorylase and factor VIII-related antigen, respectively. Moreover, the apoptotic index was evaluated by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling method. Intratumoral peak systolic velocity was tested for correlation with patients' age at diagnosis, stage of disease, presence of a residual tumor, histological subtype and grade, thymidine phosphorylase expression, apoptotic index, microvessel count and patient survival. RESULTS: Histological grade (P = 0.025), thymidine phosphorylase expression (P = 0.044), apoptotic index (P = 0.039) and microvessel count (P = 0.014) were all significantly associated with peak systolic velocity. Stage of disease (P = 0.002), presence of residual disease (P = 0.0002) and peak systolic velocity (P = 0.041) were found by univariate Cox regression analysis to be significantly associated with a poor prognosis. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that stage of disease (P = 0.006) and peak systolic velocity (P = 0.008) are independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Intratumoral peak systolic velocity could be a preoperatively pertinent prognostic predictor of survival in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Evaluation of bedmaking-related airborne and surface methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus contamination.

The number of airborne methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) before, during and after bedmaking was investigated. Air was sampled with an Andersen air sampler in the rooms of 13 inpatients with MRSA infection or colonization. Sampling of surfaces, including floors and bedsheets, was performed by stamp methods. MRSA-containing particles were isolated on all the sampler stages-stage 1 (>7 microm diameter) to stage 6 (0.65-1.1 microm). The MRSA-containing particles were mostly 2-3 microm diameter before bedmaking and >5 microm during bedmaking. The number was significantly higher 15 min after bedmaking than during the resting period, but the differences in counts after 30 and 60 min were not significant. MRSA was detected on many surfaces. The results suggest that MRSA was recirculated in the air, especially after movement. To prevent airborne transmission, healthcare staff should exercise great care to disinfect inanimate environments. Further studies will be needed to confirm the level of MRSA contamination of air during bedmaking and establish measures for prevention of airborne transmission.

Air Microbiology↗

PubMed2002

Simple decompression with small skin incision for cubital tunnel syndrome.

Eighteen elbows in 17 patients with cubital tunnel syndrome were treated by simple decompression using only a 1.5-2.5 cm skin incision with no endoscopic assistance. According to McGowan's criteria, three elbows were classified preoperatively as grade I, six as grade II and nine as grade III. The mean follow-up period was 14 months (range 3-25). Clinical results were evaluated as excellent for four elbows, good for ten and fair for four. Improvement of symptoms occurred in all patients and dislocation of the ulnar nerve was not observed. Simple decompression through a small skin incision can be recommended for the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome, if the indication is appropriate.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Paraparesis due to spinal leiomyosarcoma lesion in the thoracic spine accompanied by two leiomyosarcoma lesions in the back and the thigh over an interval of 4 years.

We present an 83-year-old man who developed three different leiomyosarcoma lesions in the thigh, back, and thoracic spine. The pathology of the thigh tumour was pleomorphic leiomyosarcoma. MRI after 4 years showed a vertebral bone lesion associated with spinal cord compression at T7 and a paravertebral mass lesion at T9-T10. Surgical treatment for the spinal lesion which caused paraparesis improved the neurological symptoms. The pathological features of the lesions in the back and spine were identical and rather distinct from those of the previous thigh lesion. Spinal leiomyosarcoma causing paraparesis and the two other with soft-tissue leiomyosarcoma lesions with different pathological features in a single patient over a period of 4 years is an extremely rare occurrence.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

[Long-term results after endovascular treatment of peripheral arterial occlusions].

OBJECTIVE: Presentation of our long-term results with endovascular treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report on 115 patients (98 male, 17 female), average 67 years, with 141 occlusions or stenoses in the iliac or femoral arteries that were treated by laser-angioplasty. RESULTS: Excellent primary results were obtained in 93 % of the stenoses and 74 % of the occlusions. The results depended on the length of the lesions. In femoro-popliteal lesions < 10 cm length a success rate of 98 % could be observed, in lesions > 10 cm it was 71 %. The same was true for iliac lesions: the clinical success rate was 91 % in lesions < 5 cm as compared to 44 % in lesions > 5 cm. The long-term results were even satisfactory, the patency rate ranged to 85 % in stenoses and 75 % in occlusions, resp. CONCLUSION: Laser-angioplasty in our hands is an excellent treatment modality for occlusions/stenoses of the peripheral arteries and coronaries, a strong indication anticipated.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Bioavailability of selenium in the defatted dark muscle of tuna.

The content and bioavailability of selenium (Se) in the dark muscle of tuna (DMT) were studied. Fluorometric analysis showed that DMT contained 2.0-4.7 microg x g(-1) Se. A large part of Se of the DMT was recovered in the dry powder of the defatted fraction prepared by successive treatment with acetone and n-hexane/ethanol. On trypsin digestion of the defatted DMT, release of Se paralleled that of nitrogen and about 70% of Se was released within 4 h. Male weanling ddY mice were fed a Torula yeast-based Se-deficient diet (basal diet) for 3 weeks, and then fed the basal diet or a diet supplemented with a 0.05-0.25 microg x g(-1) Se as either sodium selenite or the defatted DMT for a further 1 week. Se contents and GSHPx activities in the liver increased gradually with increases in the amount of supplemented Se. No differences were observed between selenite and defatted DMT in the effect on Se content. At low Se levels, the effect of Se in the defatted DMT on the liver GSHPx activities was inferior to that of selenite, but at a high Se level, Se in the defatted DMT showed a greater effect. The bioavailability of Se in the defatted DMT, as assessed by slope ratio analysis using selenite as the reference Se, was 87% for the liver Se content and 168% for the GSHPx activity. The results indicate that the defatted DMT contains high levels of Se in a nutritionally available form.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Roles of DNA-dependent protein kinase and ATM in cell-cycle-dependent radiation sensitivity in human cells.

PURPOSE: The roles of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) and ATM in the cell-cycle-dependent radiosensitivity in human cells were investigated. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A DNA-PK activity-deficient human glioblastoma cell line M059J, ataxia telangiectasia cell lines AT3BISV and AT5BIVA, and control cell lines were used. Wortmannin inhibited DNA-PK and ATM activities. Cells were synchronized by hydroxyurea. Progression through the cell cycle was analysed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: M059J exhibited hyper-radiosensitivity throughout the cell cycle, with extreme hyper-radiosensitivity in G to early S-phase compared with the control cell line M059K. AT3BISV and AT5BIVA exhibited hyper-radiosensitivity throughout the cell cycle but showed a similar pattern of cell-cycle-dependent radiosensitivity to that observed in LM217 or HeLa cells. In AT3BISV and AT5BIVA, radiosensitization by wortmannin was observed throughout the cell cycle and was most prominent in G1 to early S-phase. Wortmannin did not sensitize M059J to ionizing radiation in any cell-cycle phase. DNA-PK activities were not different throughout the cell cycle. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that (1) non-homologous endjoining plays a dominant role in G1 to early S-phase and a minor role in late S to G2-phase in repairing DNA double-strand breaks, (2) the role of ATM in repairing double-strand breaks may be almost cell-cycle-independent and (3) the dominant role of non-homologous end-joining during G1 to early S-phase is not due to cell-cycle-dependent fluctuations in DNA-PK activity.

Androstadienes↗

PubMed2002

Effect of suplatast tosilate on airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation in asthma patients.

Because eosinophilic airway inflammation is a characteristic of bronchial asthma, the treatment of such inflammation is important in the management of this disease. Suplatast tosilate is a novel anti-asthma drug that suppresses eosinophil proliferation and infiltration through selective inhibition of Th2 cytokine synthesis. We investigated the effect of oral suplatast tosilate therapy in patients with mild and moderate asthma. Twenty-eight asthma patients were randomized into two groups with or without suplatast tosilate treatment (100 mg t.i.d. for 28 days). We examined the blood eosinophil counts, eosinophilic cationic protein level, sputum eosinophil count, exhaled nitric oxide level, and airway responsiveness before and after treatment. In patients treated with suplatast tosilate, the eosinophil count in the blood and sputum was significantly decreased after treatment, while there was no such change in the patients without suplatast treatment. The exhaled nitric oxide level and airway responsiveness (measured using an Astograph) were also decreased after treatment with suplatast tosilate, while there were no significant changes in patients without suplatast tosilate. These results strongly suggest that oral administration of suplatast tosilate suppresses airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma patients by reducing eosinophilic inflammation in the airways.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Two types of optical coherence tomographic images of retinal pigment epithelial detachments with different prognosis.

AIMS: To report the optical coherence tomographic (OCT) findings in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) detachments. METHODS: 24 eyes were analysed by OCT and by fluorescein (FAG) and/or indocyanine green angiography. RESULTS: RPE detachments were classified by the OCT images into those with a partial or total highly reflective line in the area of the detachment (nine eyes), and those that showed the same reflex in the detached area as in other parts (15 eyes). The nine eyes had irregular hyperfluorescence by FAG, significantly larger detachments, and lower visual acuity than the 15 eyes. CONCLUSION: The OCT showed that two types of RPE detachments are associated with eyes with different characteristics.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Kienböck's disease in systemic lupus erythematosus.

We report two cases of Kienböck's disease associated with systemic lupus erythematosus SLE. The characteristics of these cases associated with SLE differed from those previously reported for Kienböck's disease. Corticosteroid may be a cause of Kienböck's disease in SLE.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Reconstruction of a scalp and skull defect with free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap following dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

A 53-year-old male underwent more than 10 surgical treatments over 14 years, including a simple excision and local flap transfer, after recurrences of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the head. Clinical results indicated that simple excision of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans should not be performed as initial treatment. Instead, free flap transplantation, which permits a wide excision and complete reconstruction, should be the first treatment option.

Dermatofibrosarcoma↗

PubMed2002

Steroid treatment based on the findings of transbronchial biopsy in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.

This study was performed to find the rationale for administering steroids to patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP), which was unlikely to be usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) but was not surgically biopsied. Among IIP patients in the file of the departments, nine patients who met the following criteria were selected for this study ("non-UIP" group): 1) transbronchial lung biopsy showed dense mononuclear cell infiltration in thickened alveolar septa; 2) chest radiograph and computed tomography showed irregular linear, reticular or ground-glass opacities with alveolar consolidation without honeycombing in the lung base; and 3) spirometry was performed before and after steroid therapy. Ten patients with pathologically confirmed nonspecific interstitial pneumonia ("NSIP" group) were also selected for the comparison. Baseline values and percentage increase of vital capacity (VC) after steroid therapy were plotted. Steroids improved VC in both groups of patients. After 1 yr of steroid therapy, percentage increase of VC in "non-UIP" was 28.8+/-7.7%, which was not significantly different from that in NSIP (30.0+/-11.7%). One "non-UIP" patient and one NSIP patient died after 6.4 and 4.3 yrs of follow-up, respectively. Patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia presenting cellular interstitial pneumonia in transbronchial lung biopsy, in addition to radiographic findings not typical for usual interstitial pneumonia, could expect a beneficial effect of steroids without undergoing surgical biopsy.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Rotatory subluxation of the scaphoid in Kienböck's disease is not a cause of scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) in the wrist.

We have examined whether the rotatory subluxation of the scaphoid which is seen in patients with advanced Kienböck's disease is associated with scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) wrist. We studied 16 patients (11 men, 5 women) who had stage-IV Kienböck's disease with chronic subluxation of the scaphoid. All had received conservative treatment. The mean period of affection with Kienböck's disease was 30 years (14 to 49). No wrist had SLAC. In eight patients, 24 years or more after the onset of the disease, the articular surface of the radius had been remodelled by the subluxed scaphoid with maintenance of the joint space. The wrists of six patients were considered to be excellent, nine good, and one fair according to the clinical criteria of Dornan. Our findings have shown that rotatory subluxation of the scaphoid in Kienböck's disease is not a cause of SLAC wrist and therefore that scaphotrapeziotrapezoid arthrodesis is not required for the management of these patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Disinfection kinetics of Legionella pneumophila by ultraviolet irradiation.

Disinfection kinetics of Legionella pneumophila by ultraviolet irradiation was investigated. The change in viable cell concentration with exposure time could be divided into three steps: lag step in which little change in viable cell concentration was observed, fast disinfection step and slow disinfection step. The slow disinfection step was not observed at the initial cell concentrations below about 10(6) cfu/mL. The disinfection kinetics were well described with two parameters; lag time and disinfection rate constant of the fast disinfection step. The effects of UV intensity, temperature and initial cell concentration in the kinetic parameters were investigated. With increasing initial cell concentration, the lag time decreased and the disinfection rate constant increased. The effects of initial cell concentration on the kinetic parameters were considered to be attributed to the decrease in the effective UV irradiation intensity due to the partial shield of UV light by the disinfected cells. The empirical correlations were presented for predicting the lag time and disinfection rate constant. Furthermore, UV disinfection of L. pneuophila in a model hot-tub connected with external irradiation chamber was also discussed.

Disinfection↗

PubMed2001

Defining classes of spinal interneuron and their axonal projections in hatchling Xenopus laevis tadpoles.

Neurobiotin was injected into individual spinal interneurons in the Xenopus tadpole to discern their anatomical features and complete axonal projection patterns. Four classes of interneuron are described, with names defining their primary axon projection: Dorsolateral ascending and commissural interneurons are predominantly multipolar cells with somata and dendrites exclusively in the dorsal half of the spinal cord. Ascending interneurons have unipolar somata located in the dorsal half, but their main dendrites are located in the ventral half of the spinal cord. Descending interneurons show bigger variance in their anatomy, but the majority are unipolar, and they all have a descending primary axon. Dorsolateral commissural interneurons are clearly defined using established criteria, but the others are not, so cluster analysis was used. Clear discriminations can be made, and criteria are established to characterize the three classes of interneuron with ipsilateral axonal projections. With identifying criteria established, the distribution and axonal projection patterns of the four classes of interneuron are described. By using data from gamma-aminobutyric acid immunocytochemistry, the distribution of the population of ascending interneurons is defined. Together with the results from the axonal projection data, this allows the ascending interneuron axon distribution along the spinal cord to be estimated. By making simple assumptions and using existing information about the soma distributions of the other interneurons, estimates of their axon distributions are made. The possible functional roles of the four interneuron classes are discussed.

Afferent Pathways↗

PubMed2001

Lumbar canal stenosis caused by hypertrophy of the posterior longitudinal ligament: case report.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a case report of a patient with hypertrophy of the posterior longitudinal ligament (HPLL) in the lumbar spine, with assessment of operative treatment and a 10-year follow-up using magnetic resonance imaging. OBJECTIVES: To report on the long-term outcome of a case of lumbar HPLL, to review the literature on case reports of HPLL, and to outline the pathology of HPLL in the lumbar spine. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There have been several reports of HPLL in the cervical spine and thoracic spine. However, the authors found no reports of this condition in the lumbar spine and no reports of long-term follow-up. Two types of pathology are associated with HPLL: primary hypertrophy of the ligament and secondary hypertrophy associated with intervertebral disc herniation. METHODS: A 10-year follow-up evaluation of a 56-year-old man with HPLL at L2 is reported. The patient was observed using serial physical examinations, radiographs, and MRIs over 10 years. Because he did not respond to conservative management, surgical treatment was applied. After complete decompression by hemilaminectomy and resection of hypertrophied ligament, the nerve roots were freed of constriction through the neural foramens at L2 and L3. RESULTS: One year after the operation the patient was asymptomatic without evidence of recurrence of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: HPLL is a very rare disease. This appears to be the first report of the disease in the lumbar spine.

Humans↗

PubMed2001

Recombinant annexin II modulates impaired fibrinolytic activity in vitro and in rat carotid artery.

Fibrinolytic activity has been reported to be decreased in atherosclerosis. Recently, annexin II was identified as a coreceptor on endothelial cells for plasminogen and tissue plasminogen activator. In this study, we examined whether recombinant annexin II (rAN II) protein can modulate fibrinolytic activity on vascular endothelium in vitro and in vivo. The effect of rAN II on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was measured. Addition of a fluorescent plasmin substrate revealed that HUVECs treated with rAN II exhibited significantly more plasmin generation than those treated with BSA. Moreover, rAN II treatment of HUVECs restored plasmin generation impaired by plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 or homocysteine pretreatment. In a rat carotid artery thrombus model, the patency of thrombosed carotid arteries was significantly enhanced by rAN II injection, in contrast to BSA injection, without systemic blood coagulation dysregulation. We found that rAN II enhanced plasmin generation on vascular endothelium in vitro and reduced thrombus formation in vivo, and concluded that enhancement of endothelial fibrinolytic activity by annexin II could modulate the hypercoagulable state of atherosclerosis. Further study of rAN II in vitro and in vivo may lead to the establishment of novel therapeutic approaches to thrombogenic vascular disease.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Important role of junctophilin in nematode motor function.

Junctional complexes between the plasma membrane and endoplasmic/sarcoplasmic reticulum are shared by excitable cells and seem to be the structural ground for cross-talk between cell-surface and intracellular ionic channels. Our current studies have identified junctophilins (JPs) as members of a novel transmembrane protein family in the junctional membrane complex. Biochemical and gene-knockout studies have suggested that JPs contribute to the formation of the junctional membrane complex by spanning the intracellular store membrane and interacting with the plasma membrane. We report here invertebrate JPs in fruit fly and nematode. Three distinct JP subtype genes are found in the mammalian genome, while a single JP gene exists in either invertebrate genome. Mammalian and invertebrate JPs share characteristic structural features, although some intervening sequences are found in invertebrate JPs. A reporter assay indicated that the JP gene is predominantly activated in muscle cells in nematode. Nematodes, in which expression of JP was inhibited by RNA-mediated interference (RNAi), showed hypolocomotion. Taking account of the cell-type-specific expression and data from previous reports, the hypolocomotion is likely to be due to the deficiency of junctional membrane structures and the resulting reduction of Ca(2+) signaling during excitation-contraction coupling in muscle cells.

Animals↗