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Biomedical subjects

S Fukuda

Publications and source records attributed to S Fukuda.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

[Hepatic arterial infusion of low-dose cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil for hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombi in the portal vein].

Hepatic arterial infusion of low-dose CDDP (10 mg/day), 5-FU (250 mg/day) was performed in 5 unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with tumor thrombi in the trunk and/or the first branch of the portal vein. Infusion chemotherapy was continued for five days, then discontinued for the subsequent two days. This procedure was performed repeatedly for at least three weeks. Decrease in the serum levels of the alpha-fetoprotein after the treatment was found in 3 of 4 patients. In one patient, the size of the primary tumor decreased 92%. In two of five patients, the tumor thrombi in the portal vein disappeared, or decreased in size. Side effects of the chemotherapy included liver functional disorder (Grade 3; 1 case), thrombocytopenia (Grade 3; 1 case, Grade 2; 1 case), and leukopenia (Grade 2; 1 case). The present protocol proved to be effective and applicable for patients with advanced HCC associated with severe cirrhosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma].

We performed percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (PMCT) for 34 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, including 18 primary and 16 recurrent HCC ones. Cumulative 1, 2-, 3- and 4-year survival rates of primary HCC patients were 94, 78, 78% and 62%, respectively, while those of recurrent HCC patients were 100, 79, 62% and 41%, respectively. There were no differences between groups. In both groups, local recurrence was found in about 50% of patients. The mean tumor size (diameter 2.6 +/- 0.6 cm) of patients with local recurrence was relatively larger than that (2.2 +/- 0.6 cm) of patients without local recurrence (p = 0.081). Seventeen of 27 patients with moderately or poorly differentiated HCC had local recurrence, while none of patients with well-differentiated HCC did (p = 0.005). Subsequently, local control failure led some patients to have progressive diseases such as multiple intrahepatic metastasis, tumor thrombi in the portal vein, and distant metastasis. From these findings, PMCT should be performed only for well-differentiated HCC less than 2 cm in diameter. If the patients with moderately or poorly differentiated HCC larger than 2 cm in diameter cannot tolerate hepatic resection because of their poor hepatic functional reserve, PMCT should be performed in combination with other non-surgical treatment modalities.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Brain metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma after radical hepatectomy.

Brain metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare, yet perplexing problem in patients with cancer. We report on 5 patients with metastasis of HCC to the brain after radical hepatectomy. Intrahepatic recurrence occurred in 3 patients, and distant metastasis to sites other than the brain was observed in 3 patients (lung, 2; bone, 1). The symptoms for brain metastasis included headache, hemiparesis, and vomiting. Hemorrhage was found in 4 of 5 patients. All patients had a single nodular lesion in the brain. The alpha-fetoprotein levels were more than 10,000 ng/ml in 4 patients. Two patients underwent surgical resection, 1 received cranial irradiation, and 2 were administered corticosteroids. The interval between diagnosis of the primary cancer and detection of brain metastasis ranged from 2 to 54 months. The mean survival period was only 3 months after diagnosis of brain metastasis. All 5 patients died of neurologic causes. Because no effective treatment for brain metastasis from HCC is available, further study is needed.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

A phytochrome from the fern Adiantum with features of the putative photoreceptor NPH1.

In plant photomorphogenesis, it is well accepted that the perception of red/far-red and blue light is mediated by distinct photoreceptor families, i.e., the phytochromes and blue-light photoreceptors, respectively. Here we describe the discovery of a photoreceptor gene from the fern Adiantum that encodes a protein with features of both phytochrome and NPH1, the putative blue-light receptor for second-positive phototropism in seed plants. The fusion of a functional photosensory domain of phytochrome with a nearly full-length NPH1 homolog suggests that this polypeptide could mediate both red/far-red and blue-light responses in Adiantum normally ascribed to distinct photoreceptors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Isolation of cDNA encoding a novel human CC chemokine NCC-4/LEC.

We have determined the entire sequence of human cDNA encoding a novel CC chemokine NCC-4 by 5' and 3' RACE methods. Two types of transcripts, 579 bp and 1503 bp long, respectively, are generated through alternative polyadenylation sites. Both species contain an open reading frame encoding 120 amino acids with 19-38% identity to other human CC chemokines. The short and long transcripts are expressed highly selectively in the liver at nearly equivalent levels. There seems to be one copy of the gene per haploid genome. We now designate NCC-4 as LEC from liver-expressed chemokine.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Reactivation of herpes simplex virus type 1 in patients with Bell's palsy.

Reactivation of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of idiopathic peripheral facial palsy (Bell's palsy). The present study used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to analyze the saliva of patients with Bell's palsy for the presence of shed HSV-1. The study involved 47 patients with Bell's palsy, 24 patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, and 16 healthy HSV-seropositive volunteers. HSV-1 DNA was not detected in the saliva samples from HSV-seronegative patients. The prevalence of shed HSV-1 in patients with Bell's palsy (50%) was significantly higher than that in healthy volunteers (19%, p<0.05). When saliva samples were tested within 7 days after the onset of palsy, the prevalence of shed HSV-1 in patients with Bell's palsy (40%) was significantly higher than that in patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome (7%, p<0.05). Furthermore, HSV-1 usually became undetectable by the second week after the onset of Bell's palsy when HSV-1 was detected during the acute phase of the disease. These findings strongly suggest that reactivation of HSV-1 is involved in the pathogenesis Bell's palsy, and indicate that PCR is a useful tool for early diagnosis of HSV-1 reactivation in patients with Bell's palsy.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1998

Molecular heterogeneity in mucopolysaccharidosis IVA in Australia and Northern Ireland: nine novel mutations including T312S, a common allele that confers a mild phenotype.

Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA (MPS IVA) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by a genetic defect in N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase (GALNS). Previous studies of patients from a British-Irish population showed that the I113F mutation is the most common single mutation among MPS IVA patients and produces a severe clinical phenotype. We studied mutations in the GALNS gene from 23 additional MPS IVA patients (15 from Australia, 8 from Northern Ireland), with various clinical phenotypes (severe, 16 cases; intermediate, 4 cases; mild, 3 cases). We found two common mutations that together accounted for 32% of the 44 unrelated alleles in these patients. One is the T312S mutation, a novel mutation found exclusively in milder patients. The other is the previously described I113F that produces a severe phenotype. The I113F and T312S mutations accounted for 8 (18%) and 6 (14%) of 44 unrelated alleles, respectively. The relatively high residual GALNS activity seen when the T312S mutant cDNA is overexpressed in mutant cells provides an explanation for the mild phenotype in patients with this mutation. The distribution and relative frequencies of the I113F and T312S mutations in Australia corresponded to those observed in Northern Ireland and are unique to these two populations, suggesting that both mutations were probably introduced to Australia by Irish migrants during the 19th century. Haplotype analysis using 6 RFLPs provides additional data that the I113F mutation originated from a common ancestor. The other 9 novel mutations identified in these 23 patients were each limited to a single family. These data provide further evidence for extensive allelic heterogeneity in MPS IVA in British-Irish patients and provide evidence for their transmission to Australia by British-Irish migrants.

Australia↗
PubMed1998

Pharmacokinetics of topical beta-adrenergic antagonists in rabbit aqueous humor evaluated with the microdialysis method.

The microdialysis method was used to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of the beta-adrenergic antagonists carteolol and timolol and the new ophthalmic solution WP-934 in rabbit aqueous humor, following instillation. A probe with a microdialysis membrane (length, 5 mm; diameter, 0.2 mm) was implanted in the anterior chamber of the pigmented rabbit and perfused with Ringer's solution. Twenty microliters of 0.5% timolol maleate (0.5% Timoptol(R)), 2% carteolol hydrochloride (2% Mikelan(R)), or a novel preparation of 0.5% timolol maleate (WP-934) that gels after instillation were then instilled. The concentrations of these drugs in dialysates were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography and an electrochemical detection system. In vitro relative recovery of the membrane with timolol and carteolol was approximately 17.5% and 21. 6%, respectively. Timolol and carteolol levels in aqueous humor increased rapidly after instillation of Timoptol and Mikelan and reached maximal levels (Cmax) within 60 minutes. The Cmax of carteolol (4.25 microg ml-1) was lower than that of timolol (5.52 microg ml-1), suggesting that the corneal permeability of timolol is higher than that of carteolol. After instillation of WP-934, the Cmax of timolol (12.32 microg ml-1) was 2.2-fold higher than that after instillation of Timoptol. However, t1/2 values of beta-adrenergic antagonists after instillation of the three preparations were not significantly different. These data suggest that the microdialysis technique is useful for continuous monitoring of aqueous levels of beta-blockers and for analysis of their pharmacokinetic parameters while requiring much fewer animals than conventional sampling with paracentesis.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1998

Hybrid-type stabilizer for off-pump direct coronary artery bypass grafting.

We have developed a mechanical stabilizer for use in off-pump direct coronary artery bypass grafting. We consider it an improvement on the sucker-type stabilizer, although it uses the mechanisms of the compressor-type. Our hybrid stabilizer effectively immobilizes the local heart surface with light compression and low evacuation. We believe that its use will eliminate the need for further immobilization and thus reduce cardiac invasiveness.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed1998

Audiological assessment before and after fractionated stereotactic irradiation for vestibular schwannoma.

PURPOSE: To find the audiological outcome after LINAC-based fractionated stereotactic irradiation (STI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients with vestibular schwannoma treated by fractionated STI between 1991 and 1997 had measurable hearing before STI and were followed audiologically for more than 6 months. The pure tone average (PTA) was measured by averaging the air-conduction threshold for five main frequencies (250-4000 Hz) before and periodically after STI in the 24 patients. Several possible prognostic factors for hearing preservation (defined as a PTA change at the last follow-up of less than 10 dB) were investigated. The median follow-up time was 22 months, ranging from 5 to 69 months. The irradiation schedule was 36 Gy in 20 fractions in 5 weeks to 44 Gy in 22 fractions in 6 weeks followed by 4 Gy/1 fraction boost. RESULTS: The pure tone average before STI was distributed from 7 to 73 dB. Fifty percent of patients showed a change in PTA of less than 10 dB, 79.2% of patients showed a change in PTA of less than 20 dB and 20.8% of patients showed a change in PTA of more than 21 dB at the last follow-up. Only one patient (4%) became deaf. Cases with a sudden loss of hearing were more likely to experience hearing preservation than those with gradual loss of hearing (P<0.05). The mean age was younger in patients whose hearing was preserved (P<0.05). Poor pretreatment PTA appeared to linearly correspond to the changes in PTA (regression coefficient 0.78). The size of the tumor was not related to the change in PTA. No relationship was observed between the maximum or peripheral dose and the PTA change. The real benefit of stereotactic boost after small-field fractionated irradiation was not certain. CONCLUSION: Fractionated STI produced a hearing preservation rate compatible with meticulously collimated multi-spots single fraction irradiation. Further follow-up is required to confirm the long-term benefits of fractionation.

Audiometry↗
PubMed1998

Type A fibril of the mouse tectorial membrane shows D-periodicity: an atomic force microscopic examination.

This study demonstrated that type A fibrils of the mouse tectorial membrane showed a morphology characteristic of collagen, as demonstrated using an atomic force microscope. In the topographical imaging mode, the surface of the type A fibrils showed a periodic pattern, consisting of alternating grooves and ridges. The periodicity of the type A fibrils was 69.1 +/- 0.6 nm, which is in accordance with characteristic collagen D-periodicity. The difference in height between grooves and ridges was 1.6 +/- 0.3 nm. In the variable deflection imaging mode, the type A fibrils showed a clear banding pattern, which consisted of alternating light and dark zones, with D-periodicity. In addition, the type A fibrils exhibited one minor dark band in the light zone and one minor light band in the dark zone.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Early intervention for very-low-birth-weight infants.

To assess the efficacy of early intervention (EI) for very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants, we evaluated 62 2 year old children who were enrolled in an EI program and 48 control subjects aged 2 years. We determined the subjects' developmental quotients (DQ) and obtained information about the parents' evaluation of the children from a questionnaire sent to the parents. There was no significant difference in the DQ between the EI group and the control group. However, based on the responses to the questionnaire, subjects in the EI group showed slight, but statistically marginally significant, improvements in behavioral problems, especially a decrease in hyperkinesia, in adjusting to a circadian sleep cycle, and an improvement in language development, as compared with the control group (P < 0.1). Thus, EI for VLBW infants is considered useful to enhance some areas of development.

Child Behavior↗
PubMed1998

Trisomy 12 and t(14;18) in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

We report a case of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) in which trisomy 12 and t(14;18)(q32;q21) were simultaneously detected in the same leukemic clone. Southern blot analysis showed that the BCL2/IgJH rearrangement occurred at the major breakpoint region in the hot spot of the BCL2 gene. Double color fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis using multiple probes indicated that clonal B-cell with t(14;18) represented a subpopulation of the total leukemic cells and that trisomy 12 followed t(14;18) as the cytogenetic aberration in the development of B-CLL. Our findings suggests that both the t(14;18) and the trisomy are secondary chromosomal changes in the leukemogenesis of B-CLL.

Blotting, Southern↗
PubMed1998

Myelodysplastic syndrome resembling chronic myeloproliferative disorders in clinicopathological aspects.

We report on a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) which resembled chronic myeloproliferative disorder (CMPD). A 67-year-old male was admitted to our hospital in June 1990. A diagnosis of refractory anemia with excess of blasts in transformation (RAEB-T) was based on the peripheral blood and bone marrow findings on admission. However, since thrombocytosis and bone marrow fibrosis was noted, the patient was diagnosed as MDS with myelofibrosis. Low-dose cytosine arabinoside therapy was performed. Although complete remission could not be achieved, a high quality of life could be maintained by appropriate transfusion. In January 1993, the patient was readmitted because of a marked increase in mature neutrophils, showing a moderate increase of blasts, chromosomal aberration (46,XY,12p-) and hepatosplenomegaly; but no fibrosis of bone marrow was observed. These findings suggested that neoplastic proliferation at the level more differentiated to granulocytic lineage occurred at the terminal stage and that his clinical feature was located between MDS and CMPD. This case may be important in considering various aspects of MDS.

Aged↗