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Biomedical subjects

N Watanabe

Publications and source records attributed to N Watanabe.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Hammerhead ribozyme specifically inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor gene expression in a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line.

Hammerhead-type ribozymes are often utilized to suppress the expression of target genes. We evaluated the efficacy of an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) hammerhead-type ribozyme against GUC at exon 1 of the VEGF gene in a cell-free system (in vitro) as well as in the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HLF (in vivo). The anti-VEGF ribozyme (alphaVRz) specifically cleaved synthetic VEGF RNA substrate, but not other triplet sequences of VEGF RNA substrate in vitro. When the alphaVRz was introduced into HLF cells, the ribozyme suppressed not only VEGF mRNA level but also that of VEGF protein. These results suggest that this ribozyme selectively inhibits VEGF gene expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2000

[Changes in isolated ciliary muscle caused by repeated instillation of carbachol ointment in rabbits and effect of topically applied amlexanox].

PURPOSE: We investigated changes in ciliary muscle caused by continual contraction in rabbits and evaluated the efficacy of topically applied amlexanox, which relaxes the ciliary muscle, on such changes. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: After topical application of carbachol ointment 5 times daily for 2 weeks, the contractile responses of isolated ciliary muscles to carbachol were measured isometrically, and the ciliary smooth muscle fibers were stained with phosphotungstic acid and hematoxylin and observed histologically. 1% amlexanox solution was instilled 5 minutes before every instillation of carbachol ointment. RESULTS: Repeated topical carbachol ointment caused decreases in both contractile responses of isolated ciliary muscles to carbachol and number of ciliary smooth muscle fibers stained by phosphotungstic acid and hematoxylin. Amlexanox inhibited these changes. CONCLUSION: We found that continual contraction of the ciliary muscle caused functional and histological changes in it. These changes are thought to occur in some diseases which cause excessive contraction of the ciliary muscle. Topical amlexanox might be useful for these diseases.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2000

CaNa2EDTA for improvement of radioimmunodetection and radioimmunotherapy with 111In and 90Y-DTPA-anti-CEA MAbs in nude mice bearing human colorectal cancer.

UNLABELLED: 111In and 90Y, dissociated from 111In-labeled-monoclonal antibody (MAb) and 90Y-labeled MAb, may cause deterioration of the image quality in radioimmunodetection (RID) and undesirable irradiation of nontargeted tissue in radioimmunotherapy (RIT), respectively. The aim of this study was to investigate any improvement in RID and RIT with 111In-MAb and 90Y-MAb by pre- and postadministration of calcium disodium ethylenetriaminetetraacetic acid (CaNa2EDTA). METHODS: Murine MAb F33-104 against carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was labeled with 111In or 90Y by the diethylenetriamine pentaacetic (DTPA)-anhydride method. The influence of CaNa2EDTA on loss of radioactivity from 111In-MAb or 90Y-MAb in serum was investigated in vitro. The effects of CaNa2EDTA, administered before and after 111In-MAb or 90Y-MAb, on the biodistribution of radioactive isotopes in nude mice bearing human colon adenocarcinoma LS 180 tumor expressing CEA, or human pulmonary carcinoma PC 9 tumor expressing no CEA, were then examined. As a control, 0.9% NaCl was used in both the in vitro and in vivo studies. RESULTS: CaNa2EDTA did not cause any decrease in levels of radioactivity of radiolabeled MAbs. Pre- and post-treatment with CaNa2EDTA reduced radioctivity in both specific and nonspecific tumors at 72 h after 111In-MAb injection resulting in an increase of the specific tumor-to-nonspecific tumor radioactivity ratio. The levels of hepatic and renal radioactivity were also subsequently decreased by CaNa2EDTA. On the other hand, CaNa2EDTA pre- and post-treatment reduced levels of bony, hepatic, and renal radioactivity at 24, 72, and 72 h, respectively, after 90Y-MAb injection, although it had no effect on tumor radioactivity. CONCLUSION: Pre- and post-treatment with CaNa2EDTA would be of great use in humans who undergo RID or RIT with 111In-MAb and 90Y-MAb accompanied by disassociation of the labeled radionuclides.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Anesthetic management for a patient with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita].

An 11-year-old girl with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita in the spine was scheduled for virectomy under general anesthesia. She had slight scoliosis in the thoracic and lumbar spine, moderate funnel chest and slight thoracic kyphosis. Preoperative laboratory data were within normal range and her intelligence was normal. Her Mallanpathi's score, however, was Grade 3 and effective mandibular length/posterior depth of mandible ratio was 3.48 on the lateral view of head X-ray. From these data, difficult intubation was expected. Although anesthesia was induced uneventfully using thiamylal and vecuronium, her vocal cord was not visualized under laryngoscope. Using cricoid pressure procedure, slightly left-shifted vocal cord was exposed. However a 26 Fr. size endotracheal tube without cuff was too large and finally a 22 Fr. tube was inserted. During the operation patient's general condition was stable and the operation was finished without any episodes. She did not have any complications in the postoperative period. In a case of SDC, pathological changes in laryngotracheal resion should be examined and evaluated preoperatively and difficult intubation should also be always taken into account.

Anesthesia, General↗
PubMed2000

[Complete remission in a case of sigmoid colon cancer with multiple liver metastases-treatment with arterial chemotherapy and percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy].

A 59-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for advanced sigmoid colon carcinoma with synchronous multiple liver metastases. The patient received sigmoidectomy with regional lymph node dissection on June 8, 1998. We started intra-arterial combination chemotherapy on July 1, 1998. MMC (4 mg/body) was administered via rapid intra-arterial infusion on day 1. After MMC administration, 5-day intra-arterial continuous infusion of 5-FU at 500 mg/body/day was performed with oral administration of LV (30 mg/body/day). The treatment cycle was defined as every three weeks. The patient was treated with 4 courses of chemotherapy. From September 30, he received intra-arterial infusion of bolus MMC 4 mg/body, LV 6 mg/body and 5-FU 1,000 mg/body/4 hrs every two weeks with oral administration of Tegafur-uracil 400 mg/day. After 4 intra-arterial chemotherapy sessions, the metastatic liver tumors disappeared except for a focus in the right lobe. Therefore we decided to give the remnant liver metastasis percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (PMCT). He obtained a complete remission in the liver metastases after two PMCT (70 W, 60 sec) sessions. Intra-arterial chemotherapy is effective for unresectable metastatic liver tumors from colon cancer. If a patient shows a partial response on the metastatic tumors through the chemotherapy, one must consider other modalities such as PMCT.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2000

[Alpha herpes virus and facial palsy].

Alpha herpes virus is the major causes of peripheral facial palsy such as Bell's palsy or Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Ramsay Hunt syndrome is caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection, and can be diagnosed by facial nerve paralysis associated with herpetic eruption on the pinna, and complication of by vestibulo-cochlear dysfunction. On the other hand, Bell's palsy presents only facial palsy and its diagnosis is made by the exclusion of known conditions. The causes of Bell's palsy had been unknown for many years, however, recently it was revealed that herpes simplex type 1 was the major cause of Bell's palsy by PCR. Because early treatment with acyclovir and prednisone was proven to be effective, we should make efforts to diagnose these diseases as early as possible.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Scanning electron microscopic studies on morphological abnormalities of erythrocytes in alcoholic liver diseases.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that morphological abnormalities and the altered deformability of erythrocytes play important roles in disturbances of hepatic microcirculation associated with alcoholic liver disease. METHODS: The subjects of this study were five patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, two patients with alcoholic fatty liver, and two healthy volunteers. Concentrating on erythrocyte morphology in the presence of alcoholic liver disease, we observed erythrocytes under a scanning electron microscope and examined their morphological changes in relation to the disease. RESULTS: Among the five patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, stomatocytes accounted for about 14% and acanthocytes for about 10% of all erythrocytes. In the fatty liver group (n = 2), acanthocytes were absent, and stomatocytes accounted for 23% in one subject and 56% in the other, of the total. When the two patients with liver cirrhosis were examined over time, one of them was found to have 12% stomatocytes, 21% acanthocytes, and a filtration time of 14.7 sec at admission. Following 1 month of abstinence, this patient had 1% stomatocytes, 6% acanthocytes, and a filtration time of 10.4 sec, which were accompanied by improvements in peripheral blood parameters and liver function. In another patient with liver cirrhosis, there were no acanthocytes, 8% stomatocytes, and a filtration time of 5 sec at admission; this patient had 1% stomatocytes and a filtration time of 7.7 sec after 1 month of abstinence. In one patient with fatty liver who was examined over time, the percentage of stomatocytes was 56%, and the filtration time was 7.7 sec at admission; these parameters were 1% and 5.1 sec, respectively, after 1 month of abstinence. CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed that stomatocytes and acanthocytes are morphologically abnormal erythrocytes observed in the presence of alcoholic liver disease. These abnormal forms of erythrocytes tended to normalize as peripheral blood parameters and liver function were improved by abstinence, which suggests that erythrocyte morphology is related to the pathophysiology of alcoholic liver disease.

Acanthocytes↗
PubMed2000

Comparison of fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery MR imaging with CT in a simulated model of acute subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Because MR imaging is becoming integral to the evaluation and treatment of very early stroke, it is critical to prove that MR imaging is at least as sensitive to acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) as is CT. The present study was conducted to evaluate the possibility of detecting a small amount of acute SAH diluted by CSF not revealed by CT but identified on fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) MR images in an in vitro study. METHODS: Acute SAH was simulated with mixtures of artificial CSF and arterial blood (hematocrit [Hct], 45%) ranging from 0% to 100% by volume. We scanned these phantoms with CT and turbo-FLAIR MR imaging (9000/119 [TR/effective TE]; inversion time, 2200 ms; echo train length, 7), and we measured T1 and T2 relaxation times of these phantoms at temperatures within 36 degrees C to 37 degrees C. Plots of CT value from the different blood/water mixture ratios versus Hct were generated and correlated with the average CT value from normal cortex. We measured T1 and T2 relaxation times of these phantoms and normal cortex and generated T2 relaxation curves as a function of effective TE for a specific inversion time (2200), and determined the TR (9000) for the turbo-FLAIR sequence by using a theoretical equation for the turbo inversion recovery signal intensity. RESULTS: Above a Hct of 27% blood, the mixture was denser on CT scans than was the normal cortex. At a selected time longer than an effective TE of 120, above a Hct of 22.4% blood, the mixture was more hyperintense than the normal cortex on turbo-FLAIR images. At selected times longer than an effective TE of 160, above a Hct of 9% blood, the mixture was more hyperintense than was the normal cortex. CONCLUSION: FLAIR imaging is more sensitive than CT in the detection of a small amount of acute SAH diluted by CSF at selected appropriate TE, as determined in an in vitro study.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

[Changes in the antibacterial activity of chemotherapeutic agents (especially carbapenems) for 10 species of clinical isolates between 1994 and 1996. Surveillance group of the sensitivities of clinical isolates to antibacterial agents].

During October and December of each year of from 1994 to 1996, 3,849 strains of 10 species of bacteria were isolated from clinical materials in 21 institutions nationwide. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for these bacteria of four carbapenems (imipenem [IPM], panipenem [PAPM], meropenem [MEPM], and biapenem [BIPM]) and other representative antibacterial agents were measured to investigate annual changes in antibacterial activity. Carbapenems showed potent activity against methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA), S. pneumoniae, E. faecalis, H. influenzae, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, E. cloacae, S. marcescens, and the B. fragilis group, with the activity being stable. However, these drugs showed weak activity against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and P. aeruginosa. The antibacterial activity (MIC90) against the tested organisms generally remained stable. Particularly, there was annual improvement of the MIC90 values of IPM and BIPM for S. pneumoniae, as well as the values of IPM and PAPM for H. influenzae, and those of IPM, PAPM, and BIPM for S. marcescens. On the other hand, the activity of carbapenems (including IPM) against MRSA was not necessarily strong, but there was annual improvement of MIC90 values.

Bacteria↗
PubMed2000

[Present state of the medical waste disposal industry. Self-regulation and trends of the industry for future].

After the "Waste Disposal Act" was revised in 1991, only some medical wastes were legally recognized as "infectious wastes". For that reason, the disposition of medical wastes has been formally regulated. Despite the revision in the law, the system of medical waste disposal from medical facilities discharging medical wastes and disposers receiving the waste, is clearly deficient. That system is formally well-regulated, but not substantial. Especially according to some actual reports, there are many confusing problems, for example, the licensing standards are unclear, the disposition method involves inadequate incineration and sterilization, and there is no plan for safe collection and safe transportation of medical wastes. The more seriously we consider adequate disposal methods for medical wastes, the more we realize how difficult it is to find a solution to these problems.

Forecasting↗
PubMed2000

Pharmacologic intervention with angiotensin II and kininase inhibitor enhanced efficacy of radioimmunotherapy in human colon cancer xenografts.

UNLABELLED: Induced hypertension and kininase inhibition can enhance tumor targeting of radiolabeled monoclonal antibody (MAb) by altering tumor circulation. This study investigated the effect of this manipulation on the antitumor efficacy of radioimmunotherapy (RIT). METHODS: Mice bearing human colon cancer xenografts were administered 2.0 microg/kg/min of angiotensin II (AT-II) for 1 h and 30 microg of a kininase inhibitor, enalapril maleate, before the administration of 3.7 MBq (131)I-A7, an IgG1 against 45-kDa glycoprotein on colorectal cancer, and tumor growth was observed thereafter. The mechanism of the manipulation effect was investigated by estimation of the tissue absorbed dose and radioluminography of tumors. RESULTS: The pharmacologic manipulation with AT-II and enalapril improved the tumor quadrupling time (Tq) of 3.7 MBq RIT from 24.3 +/- 2.75 d to 33.1 +/- 2.83 d (P < 0.05). Addition of this manipulation made 3.7 MBq RIT as effective as 9.25 MBq RIT alone (Tq, 37.2 +/- 2.97 d). Dose estimation showed that the manipulation increased the tumor absorbed dose 1.55-fold without affecting the doses to normal tissues. Uniform intratumoral distribution in the manipulated tumors was shown by radioluminography. CONCLUSION: Larger and more uniform tumor radiation produced by this pharmacologic manipulation can benefit RIT with (131)I-MAb.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed2000

[Activities of antimicrobial agents against 5,180 clinical isolates obtained from 26 medical institutions during 1998 in Japan. Levofloxacin--Surveillance Group].

The surveillance study was conducted to determine the antimicrobial activity of fluoroquinolones (ofloxacin, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, tosufloxacin) and other 20 antimicrobial agents against 5,180 clinical isolates obtained from 26 medical institutions during 1998 in Japan. The resistance to fluoroquinolones was remarkable in Enterococci, methicillin-resistant staphylococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from UTI. However, many of the common pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae including penicillin-resistant isolates, methicillin-susceptible Stahylococcus aureus, Moraxella catarrhalis, the family of Enterobacteriaceae, Haemophilus influenzae including ampicillin-resistant isolates have been kept to be susceptible to fluoroquinolones. About 90% of P. aeruginosa isolates from RTI were susceptible to fluoroquinolones. In conclusion, the results from this surveillance study suggest that fluoroquinolones are useful in the treatment of various bacterial infections including respiratory infections.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed2000

[Effect of topically applied iganidipine dihydrochloride, a novel Ca2+ antagonist, on optic nerve head circulation in rabbits].

PURPOSE: We studied the effect of topically applied iganidipine dihydrochloride, a novel water-soluble calcium channel blocker on the blood flow of optic nerve head (ONH), intraocular pressure, and blood pressure in rabbits. METHODS: 1. 0.1% iganidipine (20 microliters) was instilled into a normal eye. The change in blood flow in the ONH was measured using a hydrogen gas clearance flowmeter. 2. Iganidipine (0.0001%-0.1%) was instilled into a circulation-disordered eye before or after the intravitreal injection of endothelin-1, and change in the blood flow in the ONH was measured. 3. Changes in intraocular pressure and blood pressure after instillation of 0.1% iganidipine were measured. In all experiments, physiological saline was instilled in each contralateral eye as a control. RESULTS: 1. Instillation of iganidipine significantly increased the blood flow in the ONH by 40% at 45 minutes after instillation. 2. Pre-instillation of 0.01 and 0.1% iganidipine almost completely inhibited the decrease of blood flow in the ONH in the circulation-disordered model. The decrease of blood flow in the ONH was corrected with post-instillation of 0.1% iganidipine. These effects were continuous. 3. Instillation of 0.1% iganidipine did not change either intraocular pressure or blood pressure. CONCLUSION: It was shown that instillation of iganidipine continuously increased and maintained the blood flow in the ONH in normal and circulation-disordered rabbit eye models.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2000

[Glioblastoma with a marked elevation of total protein and albumin in the cerebrospinal fluid].

We describe a patient with glioblastoma who showed very high levels of total protein and albumin in the cerebrospinal fluid. The patient was a 57-year-old man who underwent subtotal removal of a glioblastoma from the left temporal lobe. Two weeks after the operation, he had quadriplegia and a lumbar puncture was performed. The concentrations of total protein and albumin in the cerebrospinal fluid were 6000 mg/dl and 3600 mg/dl, respectively, which were more than 100 times higher than the upper limits of the reference ranges and were close to their serum levels. The magnetic resonance image suggested that these abnormal values were due to total spinal cord dissemination of the tumor. The results of the cerebrospinal fluid examination showed that the albumin concentration in the fluid might increase to the serum level and the prozone phenomenon should be kept in mind when measuring its concentration in the fluid.

Albumins↗