Biomedical subjects

S Endo

Publications and source records attributed to S Endo.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed2003

Transient hydrops fetalis of the donor fetus in twin-twin transfusion syndrome after therapeutic amnioreduction.

We present a case of twin-twin transfusion syndrome associated with transient hydrops fetalis observed in the donor after therapeutic amnioreduction at 22 weeks of gestation. After the amnioreduction, the bladder of the donor could be visualized and the donor subsequently began to make amniotic fluid, with spontaneous regression of hydrops fetalis. It is suspected that after therapeutic amnioreduction, intrauterine hemodynamic changes occurred and the donor developed transient hydrops fetalis due to volume overload.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Evaluation of neuronal cell death after a new global ischemia model in infant mice.

For the first time we set up a new model for global ischemia in the infant mice, and time-dependent changes of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption and neuronal cell death were investigated in detail. Infant C57/B16 mice (postnatal 13 days) were anesthetized with inhalation of sevoflurane in N2O/O2 (70/30%) and were subjected to global ischemia by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (CCAO) for 25 minutes. Disruption of BBB was noted at 4 hours and increased up to 24 hours after the injection of 2% Evan's Blue in the transient CCAO (tCCAO) model. Evaluation of neuronal cell death was determined with toluidine blue staining. Morphological changes of neurons after tCCAO were clearly observed in the hippocampal CA1 region but were slightly detected in the CA3 region. However, there were no morphological changes in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, the neocortex, the striatum and the hypothalamus. The number of survival neurons in the CA1 was significantly decreased at 2 days and sustained up to 4 days after tCCAO. These data indicate that this method is very useful to induce selective vulnerability in mouse hippocampus, and it provides a reliable ischemic model in infant mice.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Temporal evolution of apparent diffusion coefficient and T2 value following transient focal cerebral ischemia in gerbils.

We examined the time course of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and T2 values in gerbils subjected to transient focal cerebral ischemia and compared them with histopathologic changes. Ten gerbils were subjected to two times 10-min occlusions of the left common carotid artery and examined with diffusion-weighted and T2-weighted MR imaging, at the interocclusion period and 1 hour, 2 hours. 1 day, 2 days, 4 days, and 7 days after the second occlusion. Immediately after the last MR imaging, their brains were examined histopathologically. ADC values decreased 1 hour after the second occlusion and continued to decrease up to 1 or 2 days later. ADC values remained lowered up to 4 days and slightly recovered at 7 days. T2 values were normal at 1 and 2 hours and began to increase at 1 day. T2 values began to recover at 4 days. Histopathologically, infarction was confined in the fronto-parietal cortex, dorsolateral caudate nucleus and dorsolateral thalamus, and neuronal necrosis was found in the pyramidal cell layer of the hippocampus. This study indicates that sequential ADC and T2 studies of gerbils subjected to transient focal cerebral ischemia provide a useful tool for evaluating temporal evolution of ischemic brain injury and edema, including cytotoxic and vasogenic edema.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

A comparison of long-term neurological symptoms after two different focal ischemic models in Mongolian gerbils.

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the relationship between specific tasks and the responsible ischemic lesions after experimentally induced cerebral hemispheric ischemia in Mongolian gerbils. We used the elevated body swing test (EBST) to evaluate asymmetry motor behavior, the bilateral asymmetry test (BAT) to evaluate sensory dysfunction, and the T-maze test to assess cognitive deficit during 4 weeks after either 10-min single unilateral carotid artery occlusion (sCCAO) or 10-min repeated unilateral occlusion (rCCAO). rCCAO produced persistent sensorimotor and severe cognitive deficits. Infarction was confined to the ipsilateral cerebral cortex, hippocampus, dorsolateral nucleus of thalamus and caudate nucleus. sCCAO did not induce sensorimotor abnormalities, but did produce mild cognitive deficits; these animals also showed increased locomotor activity during the early post-ischemic period. In sCCAO, neuronal death was confined to the ipsilateral CA1 sector of the hippocampus. Thus, unilateral CA1 neuronal death was sufficient for evolution of cognitive deficits in this model of experimental focal ischemia. Ischemic lesions extending to the ipsilateral cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and hippocampus produced persistent and severe sensorimotor impairment accompanying severe cognitive deficits. These findings regarding region-specific behavioral tasks in cerebral ischemia will facilitate improved assessment of stroke therapy.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

A phase I study of S-1 combined with weekly cisplatin for metastatic gastric cancer in an outpatient setting.

A dose-escalation study was conducted for patients with metastatic gastric cancer to determine the recommended dose of weekly intravenous (i.v.) cisplatin combined with a fixed dose of a new oral dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase-inhibitory fluoropyrimidine, S-1, on an outpatient basis. Secondary endpoints were to define the toxicity profile and to determine tumour responses. S-1 was fixed at a dose of 70 mg/m(2)/day and was administered for 2 weeks followed by a 1-week rest. Three dose levels of cisplatin (10, 15 and 20 mg/m(2)) were studied. Cisplatin was infused over 30 min on days 1 and 8. 20 patients were enrolled. No dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were recorded during the administration of cisplatin up to 20 mg/m(2), except for grade 3 diarrhoea and stomatitis in one patient at dose level 3. No grade 4 adverse events occurred. However, grade 2 gastrointestinal adverse reactions, such as nausea and anorexia, were seen in 7 of 13 patients at dose level 3 within the first two treatment cycles. This was determined to be the maximum acceptable level that would not negate the advantages observed with use of an oral drug such as S-1. An objective tumour response was seen at all dose levels, and the overall response rate in the 18 patients evaluated was 61%. A higher response rate of 78% was observed in 9 patients who had received no prior chemotherapy. Oral S-1 with weekly cisplatin is a feasible and promising combination regimen that is appropriate for an outpatient setting. A randomised phase II study comparing this combination with S-1 alone in chemo-nai;ve patients is warranted.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Newly developed 3D endoscopic system: preliminary experience.

Although there have been earlier reports on the use of three-dimensional endoscopic systems in the gastrointestinal tract, real-time three-dimensional imaging has not previously been described. This paper presents experience in three cases with a novel endoscopic system for three-dimensional observation in clinical situations. Case 1 was a hyperplastic gastric polyp, the shape of which was considerably enhanced in comparison with two-dimensional endoscopic viewing. Case 2 was an advanced esophageal cancer, in which the sense of depth was improved in the esophagus. Case 3 was a depressed early gastric cancer, the shape of which was also enhanced. Between July 2001 and March 2002, three experienced endoscopists also used this new system in a further 34 patients. A three-dimensional endoscopic environment was visible with the system in all patients, and all of the endoscopists were able to obtain visual information regarding spatial depth. This experience suggests that the three-dimensional video-endoscopic system used here can be of value in gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal↗

PubMed2003

Helicobacter pylori infection induces duodenitis and superficial duodenal ulcer in Mongolian gerbils.

BACKGROUND: There is no direct evidence for an animal model of Helicobacter pylori induced duodenal ulcer. AIM: In this study we evaluated the roles of bacterial strain and age of experimental animals in induction of duodenitis and duodenal ulcer in Mongolian gerbils after H pylori infection. METHODS: Specific pathogen free Mongolian gerbils were inoculated orally with three bacterial strains (H pylori ATCC 43504, TN2GF4, and K-6, a clinical isolate from a patient with gastric cancer in our clinic). These strains have both the cagA gene and VacA. Five week old gerbils were used to emulate prematurity infection and 14 week old animals were used as mature test subjects. Animals were observed for 12 weeks after inoculation. Interleukin 8 (IL-8) production in gastric epithelial cells (MKN74) after coculture with the H pylori strains was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Gastritis and gastric ulcers were found in all gerbils infected with the three strains. However, duodenitis and gastric metaplasia were seen more frequently in gerbils infected with TN2GF4 and K-6 strains than in the ATCC 43504 infected or control groups (p<0.05). Superficial duodenal ulcers with severe duodenitis and gastric metaplasia were found in two gerbils inoculated at 14 weeks with the TN2GF4 strain but none at five weeks. The TN2GF4 strain stimulated significantly higher levels of IL-8 than ATCC 43504 and K6 strains (p=0.0039). CONCLUSIONS: When injected into adult Mongolian gerbils, a specific strain (TN2GF4) of H pylori can induce duodenitis with gastric metaplasia and superficial duodenal ulcers. Induction of duodenal ulcer in an animal model fulfills the requirements of Koch's postulates for establishing a role for H pylori as a causative agent.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2003

[Traumatic laceration of the right middle lobar bronchus; report of a case].

We described the rare case of 26-year-old woman with a traumatic laceration of the right middle lobar bronchus. The patient suffered blunt chest trauma in a traffic accident. Chest roentgenography showed bilateral pneumothorax, right multiple rib and clavicle fractures and emphysema in the subcutaneous and mediastinal lesions. Bilateral thoracic drainages were performed under controlled mechanical ventilation. Massive air leakage from the right chest tube was observed. Bronchofiberscopy 2 days after the accident revealed laceration of the right middle lobar bronchus. A right middle lobectomy was performed via thoracotomy. The patient was discharged on hospital day 51. In terms of the rare bronchial laceration is discussed.

Accidents, Traffic↗

PubMed2002

Pressure-induced transition from a charge-disproportionated antiferromagnetic state to a charge-uniform ferromagnetic state in Sr(2/3)La(1/3)FeO3.

The perovskite oxide Sr(2/3)La(1/3)FeO3 has been found to switch its electronic ground state drastically at 23 GPa through measurements of 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and powder x-ray diffraction up to 56 GPa. In the low-pressure region a first-order transition from a charge-uniform paramagnetic metallic phase to a charge-disproportionated (3Fe(11/3+)-->2Fe(3+)+Fe5+) antiferromagnetic insulating phase occurs at 207 K at 0.1 MPa and 165 K at 21 GPa, typically. Above 25 GPa, however, a charge-uniform ferromagnetic (and most probably metallic) phase persists below 300 K. This switching occurs at a lattice volume of V(23 GPa)/V(0)(0.1 MPa) = 0.89.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

Characteristics of immunity induced by viral antigen or conferred by antibody via different administration routes.

The characteristics of the immunity induced by viral antigens or conferred by antiviral antibody via different routes of administration were evaluated comparatively. C57BL/6 mice were immunized via intranasal, intradermal or enteric routes with a live recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) F glycoprotein (F.rVV) or RSV, and then challenged intranasally with RSV. Inhibition of RSV replication was observed in the lungs of all the mice; however, only intranasal immunization hindered virus replication in the nose. Lung inflammation, characterized by infiltration of neutrophils and of mononuclear cells was strongest in the intradermally immunized mice, but was observed in all F.rVV immunized mice to various degrees. Intranasal administration of a potently neutralizing human anti-RSV antibody Fab fragment to infected mice inhibited RSV replication in the nose and, when combined with intraperitoneal administration, protected both the lung and the nose in the absence of deleterious lung pathology. These data suggest that intranasal immunization with F.rVV reduces RSV replication in the respiratory tract, but still induces pathological lung inflammation, even though this is milder than that observed following intradermal immunization. Local neutralizing antibody is indispensable for protection in the nose.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

PubMed2002

Microdosimetry of epithermal neutron field at the Kyoto University reactor.

Microdosimetric spectra were measured in order to gain the microdosimetric parameters of some epithermal neutron fields. Changes in dose mean lineal energy YD as a function of depth of heavy water showed a trend of softening with heavy water of the beam. The neutron absorbed dose was obtained by using the frequency mean lineal energy. Results show good agreement with measurements with the activation method using gold foil. This study demonstrated how microdosimetric parameters change in radiation quality as a function of heavy water depth.

Deuterium Oxide↗

PubMed2002

Characterisation of an ultra-miniature counter for microdosimetric measurements in a therapeutic 400 MeV/A carbon beam.

Single event spectra of a clinical carbon beam have been measured by an ultra-miniature tissue-equivalent proportional counter (UMC). In order to cover the energy range of the Bragg peak, the incident energy of the carbon beam was degraded by aluminium plates. Single event spectra for carbon-events incident to the UMC were analysed and selected at several carbon energies using thin scintillation counters. It was found that the dose weighted lineal energy distributions have a doublet peak structure due to incident carbon beam and fragment contributions.

Calibration↗

PubMed2002

New in-vivo calibration phantoms and their performance.

New in-vivo calibration phantoms (anthropometric phantoms) were developed to meet the needs for Japanese standard phantoms. Two important characteristics of these phantoms were that (1) they were designed using Japanese body size survey data, and (2) they were designed so that they can be adapted to various positions or geometries. The performance of these phantoms was tested with respect to body size, activity distribution along the axis, and counting efficiency. The actual dimensions of the anthropometric phantoms were compared with the survey data. Most items (31 of 47) indicated good agreement between the actual values and the survey data for the adult anthropometric phantom. The activity distribution for the anthropometric phantoms was compared with that for block phantoms that simulate a uniform activity distribution. The anthropometric phantoms have some gaps in their joints. The measurement results, however, indicated that these gaps did not significantly affect the overall accuracy of the measurements. Differences in counting efficiency between the block phantoms and the anthropometric phantoms for the same age were no more than 6%.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Therapeutic effects of milnacipran, a serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, on post-stroke depression.

Depression is common after stroke. While several reports have been published on the use of antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclics for the treatment of post-stroke depression (PSD), no previous study has examined the use of a selective serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) for this condition. The present study investigated the efficacy and safety of milnacipran, a SNRI, for the treatment of PSD. A 6-week open study was conducted in 12 patients (two males and 10 females) aged 53-88 years. All patients were diagnosed with major or minor depressive disorder according to DSM-IV, where onset was subsequent to a cerebral infarction or haemorrhage (stroke). Severity of depression was assessed using the 21-item Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAM-D). The maximum total daily dose of milnacipran was in the range of 30-75 mg b.i.d. Three patients experienced side-effects, but none of the side-effects were serious. Two patients dropped out of the study. At the end of the study, 58.3% (7/12) of the total patient population and 70% (7/10) of the patients completing the study were in remission (a final HAM-D score of less than 7 and no longer meeting criteria for major or minor depression). These results suggest that milnacipran may be an effective treatment for PSD.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2002

Quality control of sputum smear examination in Cebu Province.

SETTING: Rural Health Units (RHUs) in Cebu Province, Philippines. OBJECTIVE: To assess and improve the on-going quality control of tuberculosis activities in Cebu Province. METHODS: During the period of the study, from January 1996 to December 1997, positive slides (100% in 1996 and 20% or 100% in 1997) and 20% of negative slides selected from all of the slides examined at the RHUs were assessed on the quality of smear preparation. The readings were blindly cross-checked by the provincial assessors. RESULTS: In 1997, 1) 90% of RHUs participated in the quality control activity; 2) the proportion of good quality smears increased markedly; and 3) the false positive and false negative rates did not change during the period, but most of the false positives were observed among the scanty positives of the field reading, and no false negatives were noted among the heavily positive slides. CONCLUSION: Although the false positive and negative rates did not decrease during the period, the quality control procedure resulted in marked improvements in smear preparation, a high participation of RHUs in the quality control programme and the elimination of large discrepancies between readers on positive slides in 1997. It is considered to have significantly improved the NTP's smear microscopy service in Cebu Province.

Humans↗

PubMed2001

Altered sensitivity to a novel vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (1-31) in myometrium and umbilical artery of women with severe preeclampsia.

We have suggested that a novel endothelin-1 with 31 amino acids [ET-1 (1-31)] plays an important role in fetal circulation, owing to a strong contractile activity on the umbilical artery. To clarify the pathophysiological significance of ET-1 (1-31) in the development of severe preeclampsia, its contractile activities on human umbilical arteries and uterine smooth muscle from patients with preeclampsia were studied. The contraction by ET-1 (1-31) was stronger in uterine smooth muscle of the patients with severe preeclampsia than that of normal subjects. On the contrary, the constriction of umbilical artery of the patients with eclampsia was significantly weaker than that of normal pregnant women. The stronger contraction of myometrium by ET-1 (1-31) in patients with severe preeclampsia observed for the first time in the present study suggests that ET-1 (1-31) might be involved in the development of preeclampsia.

Case-Control Studies↗

PubMed2001

Analysis of transforming activity of human synovial sarcoma-associated chimeric protein SYT-SSX1 bound to chromatin remodeling factor hBRM/hSNF2 alpha.

Human synovial sarcoma has been shown to exclusively harbor the chromosomal translocation t(X;18) that produces the chimeric gene SYT-SSX. However, the role of SYT-SSX in cellular transformation remains unclear. In this study, we have established 3Y1 rat fibroblast cell lines that constitutively express SYT, SSX1, and SYT-SSX1 and found that SYT-SSX1 promoted growth rate in culture, anchorage-independent growth in soft agar, and tumor formation in nude mice. Deletion of the N-terminal 181 amino acids of SYT-SSX1 caused loss of its transforming activity. Furthermore, association of SYT-SSX1 with the chromatin remodeling factor hBRM/hSNF2 alpha, which regulates transcription, was demonstrated in both SYT-SSX1-expressing 3Y1 cells and in the human synovial sarcoma cell line HS-SY-II. The binding region between the two molecules was shown to reside within the N-terminal 181 amino acids stretch (aa 1--181) of SYT-SSX1 and 50 amino acids (aa 156--205) of hBRM/hSNF2 alpha and we found that the overexpression of this binding region of hBRM/hSNF2 alpha significantly suppressed the anchorage-independent growth of SYT-SSX1-expressing 3Y1 cells. To analyze the transcriptional regulation by SYT-SSX1, we established conditional expression system of SYT-SSX1 and examined the gene expression profiles. The down-regulation of potential tumor suppressor DCC was observed among 1,176 genes analyzed by microarray analysis, and semi-quantitative reverse transcription--PCR confirmed this finding. These data clearly demonstrate transforming activity of human oncogene SYT-SSX1 and also involvement of chromatin remodeling factor hBRM/hSNF2 alpha in human cancer.

Agar↗

PubMed2001

The additional methionine residue at the N-terminus of bacterially expressed human interleukin-2 affects the interaction between the N- and C-termini.

To gain insight into the origin of the difference in isoelectric point (pI) values for wild-type human interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-2 with an additional methionine residue at the N-terminus (Met-IL-2), conformational properties of the two molecular forms of IL-2 were compared by utilizing 1H NMR spectroscopy. Although overall conformations were conserved in the two forms, the presence of the additional methionine residue at the N-terminus induced chemical shift changes for residues Ala1 to Lys8 as well as for Thr133, which is located at the C-terminus. These observations indicate that the effect of the additional methionine residue is confined to the N- and C-terminal regions and unveil the existence of an interaction between the N- and C-terminal regions. The chemical shift change observed for Thr133 can be interpreted in terms of a change in pKa of the C-terminal carboxyl group, which interacts differently with the N-terminal amino group in the two forms of IL-2. It seems to be reasonable to conclude that the difference in pI values for the two forms of IL-2 is the consequence of the different interactions between the C- and N-terminal residues.

Escherichia coli↗