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Biomedical subjects

R Ito

Publications and source records attributed to R Ito.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Undifferentiated carcinoma of the liver with neuroendocrine features: a case report.

Undifferentiated carcinoma of the liver is very rare. A 54-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for a detailed examination of multiple liver tumors. These tumors were high or low echoic on ultrasonography, but not enhanced by contrast medium in dynamic computed tomography. A fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimen of the tumor showed undifferentiated carcinoma. The serum level of neuron-specific enolase was high (357 ng/ml) and the immunohistochemical stain of the biopsy specimen was positive for synaptophysin. We diagnosed the patient as having undifferentiated carcinoma of the liver with neuroendocrine features. The patient was treated with combined systemic chemotherapy: etoposide 100 mg/m2/day for three days plus cisplatin 80 mg/m2/day on day one. He achieved a partial response, the duration of which was 7+ months. The serum neuron-specific enolase levels were decreased to the normal range after chemotherapy. Primary liver carcinoma with neuroendocrine features is extremely rare, but in a suspicious case it is important to measure the serum levels of neuroendocrine markers and make a histological confirmation, because chemotherapy may be effective for this disease.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1998

Successful treatment of Wernicke's encephalopathy in a boy with acute mixed lineage leukemia.

A 12-year-old boy had been treated with multiagent chemotherapy for acute mixed lineage leukemia and with intravenous hyperalimentation due to persistent diarrhea and vomiting for 2 months. He suddenly complained of horizontal nystagmus and gait disturbance followed by oculomotor palsy and disorientation within a few days. Blood tests revealed low serum vitamin B1 and high serum pyruvate. Magnetic resonance imaging in T2-weighted axial image revealed a high signal inside the bilateral thalami, mamillary bodies and periaquaductal gray matter. He was diagnosed as Wernicke's encephalopathy and successfully treated with vitamin B1. Careful observation and adequate treatment are emphasized in the management of this preventable and curable disease.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1998

An infant case of bilateral small kidneys with both proximal and distal tubular dysfunction.

A male infant with bilateral small kidneys associated with both proximal and distal tubular dysfunction, who showed chronic renal failure soon after birth, is reported. He was also noted to have both proximal and distal type of renal tubular acidosis. The small kidneys were thought to be due to renal hypodysplasia associated with bilateral severe vesicoureteral reflux, by radiological findings. An alkalization therapy with chemoprophylaxis seemed to be of benefit in slowing the progression of renal failure in this case.

Acidosis, Renal Tubular↗
PubMed1998

Trisomy 6 in a childhood acute mixed lineage leukemia.

The patient is a 12-year-old boy with acute mixed lineage leukemia (AMLL) and with a rare karyotype of trisomy 6. He was referred to our hospital with gingival swelling, bleeding at the conjunctiva and huge hepatosplenomegaly. Complete blood count revealed leukocytosis with 79% blasts, anemia and thrombocytopenia. Bone marrow examination revealed 82.5% blasts which were morphologically judged as M1 according to the French-American-British classification. Immunophenotyping of leukemic cells showed the presence of CD2, CD7, CD19 and CD13 antigens, suggesting the diagnosis of AMLL. Cytogenetic analysis revealed a single abnormal karyotype of 47,XY,+6,add(15)(q22) which was successfully detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with the probe mapping at the alpha-satellite region of chromosome 6. Although the patient was treated with several chemotherapy regimens, he could not achieve complete remission and he died of progressive disease 11 months after admission. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis was very informative in assessing the residual leukemic cells in interphase during his clinical course.

Child↗
PubMed1998

Subclinical Sjögren's syndrome: a significant 67gallium accumulation in the orbits and parotid glands.

An 8-year-old girl with hypergammaglobulinemia showed an abnormal 67gallium accumulation in the orbits and parotid glands. Although she did not have any subjective siccant complaints, reported typical histopathological and sialographic changes suggesting Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) were observed in the salivary glands. Gallium scintigram might be a valuable and non-invasive diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of children with SjS without sicca symptoms.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗
PubMed1998

[2-(omega-phenylalkyl)phenoxy]alkylamines: synthesis and dual dopamine2 (D2) and 5-hydroxytryptamine2 (5-HT2) receptor antagonistic activities.

A series of [2-(omega-phenylalkyl)phenoxy]alkylamines was synthesized and their 5-hydroxytryptamine2 (5-HT2) and/or dopamine2 (D2) receptor antagonistic activities were examined in vitro. [2-(4-Phenylbutyl)phenoxy]alkylamines showed strong inhibition of both 5-HT2 and D2 receptors. In particular, [2-(4-Phenylbutyl)phenoxy]-methylpiperidine derivatives, 10b, 10i and 10q, exhibited potent inhibition. The structure-activity relationships in this series of compounds are discussed.

Amines↗
PubMed1998

Efficacy of long-term sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim therapy in a boy with hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome.

A boy with hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome (HIE syndrome), who was successfully treated with long-term sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (SMX-TMP) is reported. He had been suffering from recurrent pruritic dermatitis soon after birth and had a significant high level of serum immunoglobulin E. Although an initiation of SMX-TMP therapy resulted in resolution of his clinical manifestations, cessation of the treatment exacerbated the symptoms. Chemoprophylaxis of other oral antibiotics, which were suitable for Staphylococcus aureus isolated from lesions of the patient were unsuccessful. Another trial of low-dose SMX-TMP therapy resulted in gradual subsidence of the clinical manifestations. From these observations, efficacy of SMX-TMP therapy to prevent bacterial infection in the patient is clinically apparent. Although precise mechanism of the therapy remains speculative, long-term SMX-TMP therapy might be of benefit and low clinical toxicity in HIE syndrome.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1998

Reproductive study. II: Prenatal and postnatal development study with candoxatril in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Candoxatril, a prodrug for candoxatrilat, a selective inhibitor of neutral endopeptidase, was administered orally to groups of 24 female rats at doses of 0, 120, 400 or 1200 mg/kg/day from gestation day 6 to lactation day 21 to assess effects on pre- and postnatal development of F1 offspring. All dams were allowed to litter and to raise their F1 offspring until lactation day 21. The F1 offspring were examined for postnatal developmental indices, reflex behaviors and memory. A functional observational battery (FOB) was also conducted. A marked increase in spontaneous activity of the dams was observed in all candoxatril-treated groups. Maternal body weight gain was decreased in the 400 and 1200 mg/kg/day groups during the treatment periods. No significant differences were found for reproductive parameters. The male and female pups in the 1200 mg/kg/day group had significantly lower body weights beginning on postnatal days 21 and 14, respectively, through to the end of the study. There were no drug-related effects on pre- and postnatal developmental indices, FOB, sensory function tests or memory test. The no observed adverse effect levels were 120 and 400 mg/kg/day for the F0 dams and F1 offspring, respectively.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Usefulness of K-ras gene mutation at codon 12 in bile for diagnosing biliary strictures.

Point mutations of the K-ras gene at codon 12 are often detected in the pancreatic juice of patients with pancreatic cancer. Detection of these mutations may, thus, have diagnostic implications. K-ras mutations may also have diagnostic potential for other biliary tumors. We sought to detect K-ras mutations in DNA obtained from bile in patients with biliary tract cancers, pancreatic cancer and benign biliary disease but who had obstructive jaundice. In 35 patients, bile was collected during percutaneous transhepatic choledocal drainage (PTCD) catheters. K-ras gene mutations at codon 12 in the samples were examined using mutant-allele-specific-amplification (MASA). We compared these results with cytological analyses of bile. K-ras mutations at codon 12 in bile were detected in 11 of 14 (79%) of the patients with biliary duct cancer, 3 of 9 (33%) with pancreatic cancer but not in patients with gallbladder cancer (n=3), papilla of Vater's cancer (n=3) or benign biliary diseases (n=6). In the patients, where cytological evaluation did not reveal malignant cells, K-ras mutations in bile were detected in 5 of 7 (71%) patients with biliary duct cancer and 2 of 5 (40%) with pancreatic cancer. This approach, when used in conjunction with bile cytology, may improve the yield in diagnosing suspected malignant tumors of the pancreatic-biliary system.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

The Ross procedure: Is it the ideal operation for the young with aortic valve disease?

BACKGROUND: Aortic valve prosthesis with adequate hemodynamic performance should allow more complete left ventricular mass regression and normalize left ventricular function. This possibly affects long-term prognosis after aortic valve replacement. OBJECTIVE: Assessment of hemodynamic performance of pulmonary autograft in the aortic position and the regression of left ventricular mass after the Ross procedure. METHODS: Between May 1995 and March 1996, 45 patients with mean age of 27.1 years underwent a Ross procedure. Doppler echocardiography and cardiac catheterization were performed on all patients before hospital discharge to evaluate the hemodynamic performance of auto- and homografts, as well as to evaluate left ventricular mass and function. Fourteen patients with follow-up longer than six months were submitted to dobutamine stress echocardiography to study the hemodynamic performance of auto- and homografts during exercise. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 6%. After a mean follow-up of 12.8 months (1-23 months) there was one late sudden death. No valve-related event was observed during this period. Immediate and late hemodynamic performance of the pulmonary autografts were normal with an average mean gradient of 1.8 +/- 0.6 mmHg and an average maximum instantaneous gradient of 2.9 +/- 0.9 mmHg. Valvular insufficiency was insignificant. Even during exercise, gradients did not increase significantly with an average mean gradient of 4.3 +/- 2.5 mmHg and an average maximum gradient of 10.4 +/- 6.1 mmHg. Homografts used for right ventricular reconstruction showed excellent immediate hemodynamic performance. However, at late follow-up an increase in flow speed was observed with an average to mean gradient of 10 +/- 7.1 mmHg at rest and 26 +/- 13.2 mmHg during exercise. Left ventricular mass index was normal at rest and during exercise in the majority of patients. CONCLUSION: Given the normal hemodynamic function of pulmonary autografts, the reduction of ventricular mass and normalization of left ventricular function, in addition to the excellent late follow-up of the patients, the Ross procedure is considered the operation of choice for young patients requiring aortic valve replacement.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Non-metric tooth crown traits of the Thai, Aka and Yao tribes of northern Thailand.

A survey was made of Thai tribe members, who cultivate rice paddies in the flatlands of northern Thailand, and of the Aka and Yao tribes, who farm with the slash-and-burn method in a mountainous region of northern Thailand. Plaster casts of the upper and lower jaws of tribe members were taken. Seventeen non-metric traits of their tooth crowns were classified and compared with other Mongoloid populations in various regions and periods. It was observed that the Thai tribe had the Sundadont characteristics, typical of South-East Asians, but the Aka and Yao tribe had more Sinodont than Sundadont characteristics, typical of North-East Asians. The regional and temporal variations of crown morphology in South-East Asia suggest earlier setting of the Thai tribe than the Aka and Yao tribes in this region. Moreover, comparison of the tooth morphological and linguistic classifications contradicts the traditional theory of the genealogy of the Thai language family. On the subject of the origin of modern South-East Asians, it is suggested that there has not been a gene flow of Sinodonty into Sundadonty of the principal ethnic groups in Neolithic South-East Asia.

Asian People↗
PubMed1997

Expression of interleukin-6 and its effect on the cell growth of gastric carcinoma cell lines.

The expression and the effect of IL-6 were examined in human gastric carcinoma cell lines to determine whether IL-6 serves as a growth stimulator. The expression of IL-6 mRNA was detected in three (TMK-1, MKN-1, MKN-7) of 8 gastric carcinoma cell lines. All three cell lines secreted IL-6 into the culture fluid, in large amounts in the cases of MKN-1 and MKN-7 cells. Scatchard plot analysis of IL-6 binding revealed that MKN-1 and MKN-7 cells had both high- and low-affinity receptors. Cell growth of MKN-1 and MKN-7 cells was stimulated by IL-6, while anti-IL-6 antibody inhibited growth. The expression of IL-1 alpha mRNA by these three cell lines was induced by IL-6. IL-1 alpha increased the expression of mRNA for IL-6 by TMK-1 cells. These findings indicate that IL-6 induced by IL-1 alpha is an autocrine growth factor for some gastric carcinomas.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1997

[Mitral valve prolapse and autonomic activity in normal women].

We examined relationships between mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and circadian rhythm of autonomic activity using spectral analysis of heart rate variability and echocardiography in 31 normal women. The heart rate variability was calculated from 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram by Fourier transformation. The power spectra were quantified at 0.04-0.15 Hz (low frequency power (LF) 1n (ms2)) and 0.15-0.40 Hz (high frequency power (HF) 1n (ms2)). The HF component and the ratio of LF/HF were used as indices of parasympathetic and sympathetic activity, respectively. MVP was present in 22.6%. There were no significant differences in left ventricular dimension between subjects with MVP (group MVP (+)) and subjects without MVP (group MVP(-)). Number of ventricular premature contractions in group MVP(+) tend to be higher compared with that in group MVP(-). The level of high frequency power at 0-5 am in group MVP(+) was significantly higher than that in group MVP(-), which parasympathetic activity during sleep in MVP(+) group was higher compared with that in group MVP(-). The evaluation of autonomic activity using spectral analysis of heart rate variability for 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram might provide useful information about the pathology of MVP.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Effect of mutations on the intracellular localization of Bombyx mori cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus polyhedrin.

We have already cloned the polyhedrin genes of the wild-type strain H Bombyx mori cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (BmCPV) and its mutant, strain A. In this work, polyhedrin genes of mutant BmCPV strains C1 and C2 were cloned and their nucleotide sequences were determined. The polyhedrin amino acid sequences of strains C1 and C2 were compared with that of strain H. Strains C1 and C2 contained two and three sites of mutation in their polyhedrin genes, respectively. Four amino acids (249RLLV) were added at the carboxy terminus of the polyhedrin of strain A, C1 and C2 and the corresponding polyhedrin genes were introduced into a baculovirus expression vector. Intracellular localization of expressed polyhedrin as well as the morphology and localization of polyhedra were investigated by Western blot and microscopy analysis. Recombinant baculovirus containing the polyhedrin gene of strain H produced hexahedral polyhedra in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus. However, the hexahedral polyhedra of strain A were localized only in the nucleus. Normal polyhedra were not observed in cells infected with recombinant baculoviruses expressing strain C1 or C2 polyhedrin genes, but amorphous structures were found in infected cells. Results of expression of a chimaeric luciferase-containing carboxyl-terminal sequence of strain A demonstrated that this sequence was responsible for the nuclear localization. We suggest that a mutation at the carboxy terminus of BmCPV polyhedrin led to nuclear localization of polyhedrin and that several other mutations were responsible for modification of the crystallization pattern of polyhedrin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) after administration of a rectal dosage vehicle.

The pharmacodynamic activities (leukopoietic effect) and pharmacokinetics of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) administered rectally in various doses as hollow-type suppositories were investigated in rabbits. Three kinds of rhG-CSF hollow-type suppositories were employed: suppository I containing rhG-CSF (100-1000 micrograms/kg) in 10 mM acetate buffer solution (ABS) at pH 4.0, suppository II containing rhG-CSF in ABS with alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CyD) as an absorption-enhancing agent, and suppository III containing lyophilized rhG-CSF powder. We found that the total count of leukocytes in peripheral blood (total blood leukocyte count) and serum granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) concentration showed a dose-dependent increase. Consequently, the area under the increased total blood leukocyte count-time curve (AUI), an index of pharmacodynamic activity, and the area under the serum G-CSF concentration-time curve (AUC), a pharmacokinetic parameter, increased with an increase in the rhG-CSF dose administered rectally. Good correlation was found between AUL and AUC; thus, it is concluded that an increase in AUC leads to an increase in the effect of rhG-CSF in inducing leukopoiesis in rabbits following rectal administration. We report for the first time the rectal absorption of rhG-CSF using a new rectal dosage vehicle (rhG-CSF hollow-type suppository) and its leukopoietic effect. The rhG-CSF hollow-type suppository is found to be a promising drug delivery system.

Administration, Rectal↗
PubMed1995

Expression of amphiregulin in human gastric cancer cell lines.

BACKGROUND: Amphiregulin (AR) is a novel gene of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family. The authors have already reported that AR mRNA was expressed by human gastric carcinoma cells at various degrees, and its expression was induced by the treatment with EGF or transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha). METHODS: To elucidate the biologic role of AR in the stomach carcinogenesis, the effect of AR on the cell growth and the expression of growth factor/receptor genes in TMK-1 and MKN-28 gastric carcinoma cell lines was examined. Furthermore, to determine whether AR acts as an autocrine growth factor for gastric carcinoma cells, the authors introduced an antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide (S-oligo) against AR mRNA to these two cell lines. RESULTS: AR stimulated the growth of TMK-1 and MKN-28 cells in a dose dependent manner. The growth-promoting effect of AR was as potent as that of EGF or TGF-alpha. AR antisense S-oligo induced significant growth inhibition of both TMK-1 and MKN-28 cells compared with the control random S-oligo. Moreover, AR induced mRNA expression for AR itself, TGF-alpha, and EGF receptor in both cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: These results overall suggest that AR acts as an autocrine growth factor for these two gastric carcinoma cell lines and evokes the cascade induction of EGF and the TGF-alpha/receptor system.

Adenocarcinoma↗