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Biomedical subjects

R Tsuchiya

Publications and source records attributed to R Tsuchiya.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Results of surgical treatment of lung cancer involving the diaphragm.

OBJECTIVES: Lung cancers with diaphragmatic invasion are categorized as T3 lesions, but the surgical results have not been well known. We retrospectively surveyed patients with resected primary lung cancers involving the diaphragm. METHODS: A total of 16,771 patients underwent surgical resection for lung carcinoma between 1986 and 1995 at 31 institutions of the Lung Cancer Surgical Study Group in Japan. By investigating the database, we identified 63 patients (0. 38%) who underwent resection of T3 lung cancer invading the diaphragm. These patients constituted the study population, and their clinical and pathologic records were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Tumor invasion to the diaphragm was diagnosed before operation only in 17 patients (27.0%). Complete resections of the primary lung tumors with the invaded diaphragm were performed in 55 patients (87.3%), of whom 26 had T3 N0 M0 diseases and 29 had T3 Nl-2 M0 diseases. The operative mortality was 1.6% in all patients. The 5-year survival of patients with complete resection was 22.6%, but there was no 4-year survivor in patients with incomplete resection (P =.024). The survivals of patients with completely resected T3 N0 M0 and T3 N1-2 M0 tumors were 28.3% and 18.1%, respectively (P =.013). In those patients, the depth of diaphragmatic involvement significantly affected the prognosis. The 5-year survival of the patients with shallow invasion (parietal pleura or subpleural tissue involvement) was 33.0%, whereas that of the patients with deep invasion (muscle or peritoneal infiltration) was 14.3% (P =.036). CONCLUSIONS: In selected patients with lung carcinoma and diaphragmatic invasion, combined resection of the lung and diaphragm offers the prospect of cure with acceptable mortality. However, primary lung tumors with diaphragmatic invasion, especially invasion of the muscle layer or deeper tissue, are not considered to be T3 lesions, because these cancers are generally technically resectable but oncologically almost incurable.

Aged↗

Lung carcinoma with polypoid growth in the main pulmonary artery: report of two cases.

Invasion into the lumen of the main pulmonary artery is an uncommon mode of extension in lung carcinoma and its prognostic significance remains unclear. We describe here two resected cases of lung carcinoma that showed such a rare tumor spread. Although a preoperative evaluation, such as angiography or perfusion scan of the lung, had shown a significant decrease in circulation, we could not diagnose the intraluminal tumor growth preoperatively. Pneumonectomy was finally needed to perform a curative operation. The tumors were centrally located and showed polypoid growth in the main pulmonary artery. Postoperative pathological examination revealed the tumors to be adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung in both cases. No intrapulmonary metastases were detected. One patient is doing well with no signs of recurrence after a follow-up period of 10 years. Although intra-arterial polypoid growth of lung carcinoma is extremely rare, such tumor extension should be considered preoperatively to perform a curative surgical resection, especially when the tumor is centrally located. While arterial invasion is generally an ominous prognostic factor, curative surgical resection would offer a good prognosis, even for lung carcinoma invading the main pulmonary arterial trunk.

Aged↗

Hemangioma of the rib: a case report.

A case of hemangioma of the left seventh rib is presented. In January 1999, a 59-year-old woman presented with an enlarged costal mass which had been followed up for 4 years. Preoperative examination suggested chondrosarcoma because of tumor growth beyond the disrupted bony cortex. She underwent resection of the left seventh rib along with the sixth and seventh intercostal muscles and reconstruction of the chest wall defect. The pathological diagnosis of the lesion was hemangioma. She was discharged after an uneventful postoperative course. There has been no evidence of recurrence after a 14-month follow-up. Tumor growth beyond the disrupted bony cortex was a characteristic feature by both imagery and pathological examination in this case. This case represents a difficulty of a preoperative definite diagnosis of the chest wall tumors by imagery alone.

Bone Neoplasms↗

[Limited operation of lung cancer: the role of video-assisted thoracic surgery for lung cancer].

Lobectomy with systemic nodal dissection is recognized as a standard operation for lung cancer. Partial resection and segmental resection are classified as limited resections for lung cancer to preserve pulmonary function. Minor complications occur more frequently with limited resection than with lobectomy. Partial resection of the lung and simple lobectomy can be performed as video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Systemic hilar and mediastinal lymph node dissection is not yet standardized using VATS. On the other hand, VATS preserves chest wall muscles. The difference between standard thoracotomy and VATS is a difference of approach to the thoracic cavity. It is most important for lung cancer surgery to be performed in the thoracic cavity with the minimum burden on patients.

Humans↗

Analysis of nuclear localization signals using a green fluorescent protein-fusion protein library.

We describe here an efficient method for identifying intracellular localization signals in proteins with stereospecific intracellular localizations in culture cells. The method involves rapid fluorescence screening of cells transfected with a cDNA library in which cDNAs are fused to the gene encoding the Aequorea victoria green fluorescent protein (GFP). We analyzed nuclear localization and nuclear localization signals (NLSs) in a model application of this method. As a result, we identified classical NLSs in 75% of nuclear localized proteins. We identified some novel NLS candidates among the classical NLS-negative sequences whose nuclear localization was also identified in another cell line and with other molecular tag sequences. This method will be useful for identifying intracellular localization signals and for more detailed analysis of intracellular architecture.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Clinical features and management of bronchogenic cysts: report of 17 cases.

Between 1966 and 1996, 17 patients, comprising 1 child and 16 adults, underwent surgical treatment for bronchogenic cysts at the National Cancer Center Hospital. The bronchogenic cysts were located in the mediastinum in 11 patients and in the pulmonary parenchyma in 6. Of the 17 patients, 5 (29.4%) manifested symptoms, being more frequently seen in those with intrapulmonary cysts than in those with mediastinal cysts. Chest radiographs were ineffective for accurate preoperative diagnosis, but accurate diagnosis was possible with 69.2% of computed tomography (CT) scans and 100% of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. MRI also proved very useful for qualitatively diagnosing the mediastinal tumors as cystic or solid. Surgery was performed through a thoracotomy in 14 patients and by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in 3 patients, achieving complete resection in 16 patients. In one patient, a mediastinal bronchogenic cyst was excised by VATS and incompletely resected because of tight adhesion to the membranous part of the trachea; however, no late complication or recurrence developed after the residual cystic wall had been ablated by electrocautery. VATS, which is an easy procedure to perform with only minimal surgical invasion, may be indicated for bronchogenic cysts if patients who undergo incomplete resection can be followed up carefully. Recent advances in imaging techniques have made it unnecessary to perform surgical excision for diagnostic confirmation, but we recommend surgery for most patients to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.

Adolescent↗

Historical survey of carcinoma of the pancreas.

The ancient Egyptians probably recognized cancerous lesions on the surface of the body. Hippocrates described cancers of the skin, larynx, breast, inguinal region, uterus, and vagina. For centuries, the treatments were excision, cauterization, ointment application, and fomentation. The development of anesthesia, antisepsis, and disinfection, and the discoveries of X-rays and radium in the nineteenth century, have greatly promoted advances in surgery in the twentieth century. At the beginning of this century, it became possible for surgeons to extirpate tumors from previously inaccessible body interiors, and today surgeons are able to remove affected organ systems and even entire regions of the body with safety because of advances in physiology, anesthesia, transfusion, and anti-infective agents. The surgical results for most gastrointestinal cancers have improved markedly in recent years, only with pancreatic cancer showing no improvement in results. Drastic extensive surgery has not led to better results. A small carcinoma less than 1 cm in diameter may not always be an early carcinoma. Early cancer in duct cell carcinoma may be one localized in the mucous membrane of the pancreatic duct. There is now an expectation that early diagnosis will be possible by using magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and cytological diagnosis of the pancreatic juice.

History, 17th Century↗

Lobe-specific extent of systematic lymph node dissection for non-small cell lung carcinomas according to a retrospective study of metastasis and prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Complete lymphadenectomy of the mediastinum is advised for patients with lung cancer to provide prognostic information and possible survival benefit. The proper extent of dissection should be further defined. METHOD: The lymphatic metastatic patterns according to the primary site and prognoses were retrospectively analyzed in 166 patients with non-small cell carcinoma who underwent at least lobectomy with hilar and mediastinal lymphadenectomy. All patients had histologically proven mediastinal metastasis (pN2). RESULTS: Among 54 right upper lobe tumors the most common site of metastasis was the lower pretracheal station (74%), whereas metastases to the subcarinal station were seen only in 13%. Among 8 patients with right middle lobe tumors and 41 patients with right lower lobe tumors, both superior mediastinal and subcarinal stations were involved. The 34 left upper segment tumors metastasized to the aorticopulmonary window most commonly (71%) and to the subcarina only in 12% of cases. Inversely, the 10 left lingular tumors metastasized to the subcarina most commonly (50%) and to the aorticopulmonary window only in 20% of cases. Among 44 left lower lobe tumors the subcarinal station was most common for metastasis (58%), with infrequent metastases to the aorticopulmonary window. The 5-year survival for all 166 patients was 35%. Patients with single-station and single-node metastases had a significantly better prognosis than those with more extensive metastases. Right lower lobe tumors with superior mediastinal metastasis carried a particularly poor 5-year survival of only 4.1%. COMMENT: Subcarinal lymphadenectomy is not always necessary for tumors of the right upper lobe and left upper segment. For tumors of other lobes both superior mediastinal dissection and subcarinal dissection are advised. However, superior mediastinal metastasis should be recognized as an indicator of poor prognosis in tumors of both lower lobes.

Adult↗

Apolipoprotein E is found in astrocytes but not in microglia in the normal mouse brain.

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is a known risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, but neither its roles in the pathogenesis nor its exact physiological functions in the brain is known. In order to study the apoE protein in the brains of normal mouse and transgenic mouse models of neurodegeneration, hamster monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific to mouse apoE were generated. N- and C-terminal fragments of mouse apoE protein were produced in E. coli as fusion proteins and used to immunize Armenian hamsters. Specificity of the antibodies was established by immunoblotting against sera and brain homogenates of wild type and apoE-deficient mice. MAb 884F11 was found most suitable for immunohistochemistry on 4% PFA-fixed brain tissues. The strongly positive structure in the normal brain was the astrocytes as identified by simultaneous staining for GFAP with lesser and regionally variable diffuse staining of the neuropil. GFAP-positive cells were variable in their content of apoE. ApoE immunoreactivity in the hippocampus and neocortex did not coincide with the tomato lectin binding, indicating that this apolipoprotein is not detectable in the microglial cells of the normal adult mouse brain.

Animals↗

Lymph node sampling in lung cancer: how should it be done?

OBJECTIVES: Systematic lymph node dissection in radical operation for lung cancer is recognized as an operative procedure which is expected to improve local control. We investigate the most effective method of lymph node dissection or sampling. METHODS: A retrospectrive study was carried out on 1815 patients who underwent systematic lymph node dissection and complete resection. The lymphatic route of metastatis from each lobe was investigated by examining which nodes had the most likelihood of metastasis, or to find out which is the sentinel lymph node in the case of small sized tumor, suitable for the video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) approach. RESULTS: At N2 level, distribution of major metastases from each lobe are as follows: right upper lobe tumor, #3 - 12.3% (80/648) and/or #4 - 8% (52/648); right middle lobe tumor, #3 and/or #7 - 16.4% (13/79); right lower lobe tumor, #7 - 13.7% (52/380); left upper lobe tumor, #5 - 12.3% (60/489) and/or #6 - 6.7% (33/489); and left lower lobe tumor, #7 - 11.9% (26/219). Small sized tumor requires lymph node sampling upon staging, and the lymph node most likely to become the first metastasis, i.e. sentinel node, are as follows: regardless of the location of tumor, #12, #11, and/or #10 in N1 level, which means dissection or sampling within these locations of lymph nodes are prerequisite. In N2 level, #3 and/or #4 in right upper lobe tumor, #3 and/or #7 in right middle lobe tumor, #7 in right lower lobe tumor, #5 and/or #6 in left upper lobe tumor, and, #7 in left lower lobe tumor. CONCLUSIONS: In clinical T1NO lung cancer, sentinel lymph node sampling should be done first, if the nodes are negative, complete mediastinal lymph node dissection might be omitted. On the other hand, if the sentinel nodes are positive for pathology, complete medistinal lymph node dissection is required for curative resection.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Spinal epidural abscess associated with epidural catheterization: report of a case and a review of the literature.

We describe a 53-year-old man who developed a catheter-related epidural abscess 8 days after left upper lobectomy for lung cancer. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was detected in a culture of the epidural pus. Magnetic resonance imaging was essential for the diagnosis of epidural abscess and for determining the extent of spread. The patient was treated by laminectomy and administration of appropriate antibiotics, with almost complete recovery, except for urinary retention. A literature search yielded 29 additional cases of catheter-related epidural abscess. The median duration of catheterization was 4 days and the median time to onset of the clinical symptoms after catheter placement was 8 days. Eleven of the 30 patients had some underlying disorders, including malignancy or herpes zoster, or were receiving steroids. Nine of the 10 patients with thoracic epidural abscess had persistent neurological deficits, whereas 12 of the 15 patients with lumbar epidural abscess showed a full recovery after treatment. Surgical decompression was not required in six patients without significant neurological deficits, who recovered following antibiotic treatment (four patients) or percutaneous drainage (two patients). Thoracic catheters are associated with a disproportionately high incidence of epidural abscess and persistent neurological sequelae following treatment.

Abscess↗

Serum alpha-fetoprotein values in dogs with various hepatic diseases.

Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) values were measured in hepatic diseased dogs with or without tumor and non-hepatic tumor bearing dogs by a sandwich ELISA using anti-dog AFP antiserum. Serum AFP values were less than 70 ng/ml in clinically healthy dogs. The values in dogs with hepatocellular carcinoma were higher than 1,400 ng/ml in 7 of 9 dogs, wherever those in two dogs with cholangiocarcinoma were in the normal range. Serum AFP values in hepatic diseased dogs without tumor were also high, however, the values were below 500 ng/ml in 90% of the dogs. In non-hepatic tumor dogs, serum AFP values were less than 500 ng/ml in 76% of the dogs. In the surgically removal cases with hepatocellular carcinoma, serum AFP values rapidly decreased. These results suggested that the sandwich ELISA using anti-dog AFP antiserum was an available method for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in dogs.

Animals↗

Role of platelet activating factor in development of thrombocytopenia and neutropenia in dogs with endotoxemia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of platelet activating factor (PAF) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced thrombocytopenia and neutropenia in dogs. ANIMALS: 42 dogs. PROCEDURES: Blood samples were obtained from dogs given LPS (40 microg/kg of body weight; n = 16), PAF (1 microg/kg; 6), PAF (5 microg/kg/h for 90 minutes; 4), or physiologic saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (0.1 ml/kg/h for 90 minutes; 3) IV to monitor changes in blood cell counts, using automated counters and blood smears stained with Giemsa. Blood samples were also obtained from dogs given LPS (40 microg/kg) that had (n = 5) or had not (6) been treated beforehand with TCV-309, a potent PAF antagonist. Concentration of PAF in blood was determined by use of 125I-radioimmunoassay in dogs given LPS at 1 mg/kg (n = 3) and 40 microg/kg (9). RESULTS: Thrombocytopenia and neutropenia were found in all dogs except those given saline solution. The LPS-induced thrombocytopenia was significantly suppressed by prior treatment with TCV-309. The PAF concentrations increased markedly 1 hour after injection of 1 mg/kg of LPS and increased slightly but significantly 10 minutes after injection of 40 microg/kg of LPS. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: PAF plays an important role in the development of LPS-induced thrombocytopenia and neutropenia in dogs. Control of PAF production, PAF-induced effects, or both may be important in the treatment of dogs with gram-negative bacterial infections and associated thrombocytopenia and neutropenia.

Animals↗

Molecular cloning and expression of Xenopus p300/CBP.

Transcriptional coactivators act as signal committers from transcriptional regulators to basal transcriptional machineries. We isolated the cDNA for p300/CBP, one of the most important transcriptional coactivators, of Xenopus. We also report its regulated expression, and the effects of microinjection of its truncated form. Xenopus p300/CBP (Xp300) encodes a 2483 amino acid protein which is highly homologous with human p300. Northern hybridization analyses indicated that Xp300 mRNA is stored in the oocyte, and is present throughout early embryogenesis of this species. In situ hybridization studies have revealed that Xp300 mRNA localization is ubiquitous throughout early embryogenesis, but that in later stages it is predominant in the neural region. Among adult tissues, Xp300 mRNA was clearly detected in some tissues, suggesting that Xp300 functions as a transcriptional regulator in various tissues. Microinjection of a carboxy-terminal-truncated form of Xp300 RNA into both cells of Xenopus two-blastomere stage embryos invoked the malformation of the embryos. The neural plates of Xp300 RNA-injected embryos were loose and the trunk area was heavily contracted. These results suggest that Xp300 is indispensable for normal development of the early embryo, especially in neural formation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Male-to-female sex reversal in M33 mutant mice.

Polycomb genes in Drosophila maintain the repressed state of homeotic and other developmentally regulated genes by mediating changes in higher-order chromatin structure. M33, a mouse homologue of Polycomb, was isolated by means of the structural similarity of its chromodomain. The fifth exon of M33 contains a region of homology shared by Drosophila and Xenopus. In Drosophila, its deletion results in the loss of Polycomb function. Here we have disrupted M33 in mice by inserting a poly(A) capture-type neo(r) targeting vector into its fifth exon. More than half of the resultant M33cterm/M33cterm mutant mice died before weaning, and survivors showed male-to-female sex reversal. Formation of genital ridges was retarded in both XX and XY M33cterm/M33cterm embryos. Gonadal growth defects appeared near the time of expression of the Y-chromosome-specific Sry gene, suggesting that M33 deficiency may cause sex reversal by interfering with steps upstream of Sry. M33cterm/M33cterm mice may be a valuable model in which to test opposing views regarding sex determination.

Animals↗

Surgical resection of pulmonary metastases from gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There are no reports concerning surgical treatment on pulmonary metastases from gastric cancer. The aims of this study were to characterize patients with pulmonary metastasis from gastric cancer and to determine the efficacy of surgical therapy. METHODS: Between 1977 and 1993, 3,076 patients underwent curative resection for gastric cancer. Among them, four patients (0.1%) with pulmonary metastases from gastric cancer underwent pulmonary resection. RESULTS: All four patients had advanced gastric cancers involving regional lymph nodes far from the primary gastric lesion. The median tumor-free interval after the initial gastrectomy was 32.0 months (range: 19-48 months). All patients underwent a lobectomy for a solitary pulmonary lesion. Although transthoracic fine-needle aspiration cytology revealed adenocarcinoma in all cases, none of them were definitely diagnosed as metastasis from gastric cancer preoperatively. The diagnosis was obtained after pulmonary resection. All patients received postoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or both. However, they all subsequently developed systematic metastases. The time interval to recurrence after pulmonary resection ranged from 6 to 36 months and they were all dead at a median follow-up of 24.3 months after the pulmonary resection. CONCLUSIONS: An aggressive surgical approach was not warranted in patients with isolated resectable pulmonary metastases from gastric cancer. However, the possibility of surgical treatment could not be eliminated because surgery is the only diagnostic method for a solitary pulmonary nodule when there is some doubt about the diagnosis of primary or secondary lung cancer in patients with gastric cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Results of a qualitative and field study using the WHOQOL instrument for cancer patients.

The main purpose of the study was to evaluate quality of life (QOL) among cancer patients using the WHOQOL-100 instrument and to see if any significant differences were seen in cancer stages, treatment status and prognosis. This study consisted of two parts; qualitative and quantitative. For the qualitative study, two focus groups were conducted by medical professionals to establish the applicability of the WHOQOL instrument in evaluating the QOL of cancer patients, but most participants were negative about using a generic instrument such as WHOQOL. For the quantitative study, 197 cancer patients (average age 55.86) from eight medical centers using the WHOQOL instrument, in addition to each patient's information sheet filled in by their own physicians, were analyzed. The average overall QOL score was 3.39. There was high reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.9685) and a high correlation between the psychological and the environmental domains (r = 0.7021), the physical domain and the level of independence (r = 0.6031) and social relations and the environment (r = 0.6856) and between health conditions perceived by patients and QOL scores. In addition, differences by gender, treatments and cancer sites were also found to be significantly different at the 5% significance level. The results indicated that the WHOQOL core instrument was sensitive enough to evaluate the QOL of cancer patients.

Adult↗