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Biomedical subjects

T Fujimoto

Publications and source records attributed to T Fujimoto.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy accompanied by hepatocellular carcinoma.

We report a patient with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) accompanied by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Due to the remarkable weakness in the lower limbs and loss of the position sense, he could not walk. On neurophysiological examination, he had impaired nerve conduction velocities. Biopsied nerve and muscle specimens demonstrated demyelination of nerve fibers and neurogenic degeneration of muscles. After steroid therapy he showed marked improvement in muscle strength and sensory function.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

[Successful treatment for pulmonary hypertension with angiotensin 1 converting enzyme inhibitor in a patient with mixed connective tissue disease].

This report described a 44 years-old female mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) patient presenting pulmonary hypertension, successfully treated with angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. The patient was diagnosed as having MCTD because of Raynaud's phenomenon, swollen hand, and elevated level of anti-U 1 RNP antibodies. She was admitted to our hospital one year after the diagnosis of MCTD, because she experienced dyspnea and pretibial edema. A diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension was made by echocardiography and catheterization study. Pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary artery resistance declined and returned gradually to normal during a period of three months with prednisolone and enalapril (10 mg/day) therapy. Pulmonary hypertension is one of fetal complications with MCTD, and 5 year mortality rate is reported less than 50%. However, a successful therapy for the pulmonary hypertension with MCTD has not been established yet. We considered that ACE inhibitor might be useful to control the pulmonary hypertension with MCTD and could improve the prognosis of MCTD.

Adult↗

[Myelogenous leukemia in children. ANLL9205 study by Children's Cancer and Leukemia Study Group (CCLSG)].

Treatment results were evaluated in 45 children with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) treated on the ANLL-9205 protocol of the Children's Cancer Leukemia Study Group (CCLSG, Japan). In this protocol, terarubicin (THP-ADR), vincristine and continuous infusion of cytosine arabinoside (Ara C) were applied for remission induction therapy (AVC), and VP16+ high dose Ara C were used sequentially for 32 or 48 weeks. Eleven patients received stem cell transplantation. Thirty-eight out of the 43 eligible patients (88.4%) achieved complete remission, and the overall 3-year event-free survival (EFS) was 55.6% (S.E.,10%). This favorable response was attributed mainly to the high induction rate of patients with the M5, M7 FAB subtypes and higher WBC counts (> or = 10 x 10(9)/L). There was no difference in the 3-year EFS of these patients who discontinued treatment between 32 weeks and 48 weeks. Serious toxicities were not observed in this study. These findings suggest that the ANLL-9205 protocol is an effective and safe treatment regimen for childhood AML. When comparing the treatment period of 32 or 48 weeks, the difference was not statistically significant.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

[A case of malignant hemangioendothelioma of the lung with rapid growth of pulmonary metastasis].

Malignant hemangioendothelioma of the lung is very rare and difficult to diagnose. The growth is rapid and the prognosis is very unfavorable. We report an operated case of the disease with rapid growth of pulmonary metastasis. The silver, vimentin and factor VIII stainings were available for diagnosis of this disease. The 46-year-old female patient died of bleeding from the pulmonary metastasis eight months after the operation without other distant metastasis. Even if a lung tumor is pointed out and thought to be benign, frequent follow up is necessary. Furthermore, we recommend positive lung biopsy by thoracotomy or video-assisted-thoracic-surgery.

Female↗

[Aspiration pneumonia during the endotracheal intubation on the occasion of bladder perforation by TUR].

We report on two cases of aspiration pneumonia which developed during the endotracheal intubation after bladder perforation during TUR. The first case was a 79 y.o. male, who underwent TUR-P and lithotripsy under spinal and epidural anesthesia. The second case was a 69 y.o. male, who had undergone TUR-Bt under nitrous oxide-oxygen-enflurane anesthesia. General anesthesia was selected to perform an laparotomy when the diagnosis was made. They vomited a considerable amount of gastric content just after giving the drugs for induction. The chest X-rays revealed signs of aspiration pneumonia. These X-ray findings improved in a week using antibiotic therapy. Although TUR is performed as scheduled, vomiting may occur in the case of unexpected bladder perforation, which can cause aspiration pneumonia. In such emergency, we should insert a nasal tube before induction, press the cricoid (crush induction), or intubate with the patient awake.

Aged↗

[A case of necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis in which myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) reflect the disease activity and recognize various neutrophil cytoplasmic constituents].

This report describes a 50-year-old female with necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis (NCGN), associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) recognizing various neutrophil cytoplasmic constituents. The patient was admitted to our hospital because of proteinuria. She had been well until seven months before admission, when she experienced fever and arthralgia. Tests for ANCA showed a p-ANCA pattern in indirect immunofluorescence, and high positivity for ANCA against myeloperoxidase (MPO) and lactoferrin in ELISAs. The renal biopsy on admission revealed crescentic glomerulonephritis with segmental necrosis. Therefore, we made the diagnosis of NCGN secondary to ANCA-associated renal disease. The second renal biopsy obtained after a period of 70 days with prednisolone and cyclophosphamide therapy displayed marked improvement indicating the disappearance of cellular crescents and necrosis lesions. Moreover, the levels of MPO-ANCA were correlated with the disease activity. We considered this patient to be a rare case of NCGN with ANCA recognizing various antigens. MPO-ANCA in this case might have been directly associated with the pathogenesis of NCGN.

Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic↗

[Recent advances on the treatment of acute childhood leukemia].

Since 1981, the Children's Cancer and Leukemia Study Group (CCLSG) has developed a series of protocols for treatment of acute childhood leukemia in children. Life-table analysis of serial CCLSG protocols for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) revealed that the outcome of overall All has gradually improved with a increase of the event free survival (EFS) rates; 41.4 +/- 3.6% at 14 years for the 811 protocol, 51.3 +/- 3.5% at 11 years for the 841 protocol, 56.7 +/- 3.1% at 8 year for the 874 protocol, and 78.2 +/- 3.1% at 5 year for the 911 protocol. Treatment outcome and prognostic factors were evaluated in 152 children with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) treated on three consecutive protocols (ANLL-861, 8912 and 9205) of CCLSG. Forty-two of these 46 patients (91.3%) in the ANLL-9205 protocol achieved complete remission and 58.8% of these patients projected a 3-year disease free survival. These results were apparently superior to those obtained with the ANLL-861 and 8912 protocols, which used conventional doses of multiple drugs followed by a moderate post remission chemotherapy of long duration. This favorable response with the ANLL-9205 protocol was mainly to high induction rate of patients with the M4 and M5 subtypes, as compared to those in the previous two protocols. An older age (> or = 8 years) and high WBC count (> or = 10 x 10(9)/l) predicted an increased risk of relapse in multivariate analyses; patients with an age > 8 years and WBC counts > or = 10 x 10(9)/l had a 4.5 times higher risk of relapse than patients without these adverse features.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

[Treatment results in childhood acute myeloblastic leukemia--a report of clinical trials of a past decade from the Japanese children's Cancer and Leukemia Study Group (CCLSG)].

Treatment results were evaluated in 167 children with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) treated on four protocols (ANLL 861, 8912, 9205, APL-ATRA) of the Children's Cancer Leukemia Study Group. In the ANLL 9205 protocol, anthracycline was used with a continuous infusion of cytosine arabinoside, followed by an intensive sequential post remission chemotherapy of short duration, 42/46 patients (91.3%) achieved complete remission, and 58.8% of these patients projected a 3-year disease free survival. These results were apparently superior to those obtained with the ANLL 861 & 8912 protocols, which used conventional doses of multi drugs followed by a moderate post remission chemotherapy of long duration. This favorable response with the ANLL 9205 protocol was attributed mainly to the high induction rate of patients with the M4 and M5 FAB subtypes, as compared to those in the previous two protocols (91.3% in ANLL 9205 vs 57.9% in ANLL 861 + 8912; p < 0.05). No significant difference in the patients outcome was found between the chemotherapy group and allogenic bone marrow transplantation group in the ANLL 9205 study. The patients with the M3 FAB subtype treated with the APL-ATRA protocol which consisted of an alternative use of all-trans retinoic acid and chemotherapy significantly prolonged event free survival as compared with the patients treated with ANLL 861/8912 protocols without all-trans retinoic acid.

Anthracyclines↗

[A case of spontaneous middle cerebral artery occlusion associated with a cerebral aneurysm angiographically disappearing after STA-MCA anastomosis].

We report a case of a rapidly growing cerebral aneurysm in the basal abnormal vascular network associated with spontaneous middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. The aneurysm disappeared spontaneously shortly after performing STA-MCA anastomosis. A 54-year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of repeated attacks of right hemisensory disturbance and dysarthria. CT scan and MRI images showed the infarcted focus in the left parieto-occipital lobe. Bilateral MCAs were undetectable on MRI images. Cerebral angiography revealed that the bilateral MCAs were occluded in their proximal origin with basal abnormal vascular networks. The distal MCA branches were perfused via the vascular networks. A small aneurysm was detected in the distal portion of the left Heubner's artery. There were no abnormalities in the bilateral internal carotid arteries, the anterior cerebral arteries, and the basilar artery. The follow-up angiography performed 29 days after admission revealed a growing aneurysm with a diameter of 3 mm in the distal enhanced lesion consistent with the aneurysm observed in the angiography. An STA-MCA anastomosis was performed for improvement of cerebral misery perfusion. Single photon emission tomography (SPECT) performed 9 days after the bypass operation revealed improvement of cerebral blood flow in the left parieto-occipital lobe, and her TIA attacks disappeared. The aneurysm was undetected in the cerebral angiography performed 24 days after the bypass operation. Spontaneous MCA occlusion is a rare condition of chronic cerebrovascular occlusive diseases. Diagnostic criteria of the disease includes the MCA occlusions or stenosis with basal abnormal vascular networks. Usually the phenomenon is seen unilaterally, which differs from moyamoya disease. Diagnosis must exclude diseases caused by the etiologies such as those of arteriosclerotic origin. There have been 24 reported cases of spontaneous MCA occlusion including our case. Among them, 9 cases presented cerebral aneurysm located in abnormal vascular networks, and all the reported cases presented cerebral hemorrhage at their onset. The abnormal basal vascular network may be developed as collateral vessels to supply blood to the ischemic regions in this disease. An increased hemodynamic stress in the abnormal basal vascular network may produce a true aneurysm in the distal portion of the perforating arteries. STA-MCA anastomosis reduced the TIA attacks, but also decreased the hemodynamic stress on the abnormal basal vascular network and resulted in reduction in size or thrombosis of the aneurysm. STA-MCA anastomosis can be considered effective to treat cerebral aneurysms located in vessels with increased hemodynamic stress.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗

[Prognostic implication of DNA contents on long-term outcome of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

Prognostic value of cellular DNA content was evaluated in 189 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Treatment outcome of the three different DNA index (DI) groups (Group A, DI = 1.0 vs. Group B, DI 1.01-1.15 vs. Group C, DI > or = 1.16) was compared between the two treatment risk groups (standard-risk and high-risk groups) stratified by the initial leukocyte count and age. In the standard-risk group, these groups had 10-year event free survival (EFS) rate (SE) of 62% (6%), 40% (21%) and 87% (6%), respectively (p < 0.05). In the high risk group, they had 10-year EFS rate of 30% (5%), 33% (27%) and 60% (19%), respectively (p < 0.01). Use of the DI, leukocyte count and age may be sufficient to distinguish the patients with an extremely low risk of failing to the standard ALL therapy from the patients with a relatively high-risk of treatment failure.

Child↗

[Cytogenetic abnormality and prognosis in childhood acute myeloblastic leukemia. Children's Cancer and Leukemia Study Group (CCLSG)].

We report on the leukemic cell karyotype of 180 children with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML). They were treated by the protocols of chemotherapy for the Children's Cancer and Leukemia Study Group (CCLSG) in the last decade. Of 132 cases with adequate banding analysis, 24.2% had normal karyotype, 21.2% had miscellaneous clonal abnormalities and 54.6% were classified into known cytogenetic subgroups: t(8;21) (n = 35), t(15;17) (n = 23), inv (16) (n = 6), t(11q23;V) (n = 6), -7/7q-(n = 2). Each karyotype was closely correlated with a particular FAB subtype such as t(8;21) in M2, t(15;17) in M3, inv (16) in M4, t(11q23;V) in M5. In the M1+M2 group, although patients with t(8;21) had favorable clinical features such as low WBC counts and less frequent lymphadenopathy, their treatment outcome was not significantly better than those of patients with a normal karyotype (3-year EFS: 58 +/- 11% vs. 47 +/- 12%). Patients with miscellaneous chromosomal abnormalities had a significantly shorter EFS (22% +/- 10%) (p < 0.05) than those with t(8;21) or normal karyotype. In M4+M5 group, 2-year EFS of patients with inv (16) (40 + 30%) was longer than that of patients with normal karyotype (25 +/- 19%), and t(11q23;V) or miscellaneous chromosomal abnormalities (0 +/- 25%). These results suggest that cytogenetic data may be useful for risk-based treatment assignments for children with AML.

Adolescent↗

[Pharmacokinetic studies of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and pilot study of intermittent schedule of ATRA and chemotherapy in childhood acute promyelocytic leukemia. Children's Cancer and Leukemia Study Group].

A pharmacokinetic study of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) was performed in 8 patients with various types of leukemia and MDS. After oral administration at a dose of 30 mg/m2, the mean peak plasma concentration was 430 ng/ml and was reached at 150 min. In one patient who failed to respond a very low plasma ATRA level was seen. Though the plasma ATRA exposure decreased significantly with daily drug administration, an intermittent schedule of ATRA administration would yield higher plasma drug concentrations. We treated 2 patients with refractory acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) in a pilot study of ATRA followed by intensive chemotherapy (APL-ATRA protocol). Two patients successfully achieved complete remission with ATRA after failing under conventional chemotherapy. Based on the pharmacokinetic study of ATRA, an intermittent schedule of ATRA in addition to chemotherapy suggests an effective regimen for children with APL. Phase II trials to evaluate the role of intermittent schedules of ATRA are planned in Children's Cancer and Leukemia Study Group.

Administration, Oral↗

[Treatment results of intermittent and cyclic regimen with ATRA and chemotherapy in childhood acute promyelocytic leukemia. Children's Cancer and Leukemia Study Group].

An intermittent and cyclic regimen with All-Trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA) and intensive chemotherapy was conducted due to pharmacokinetic studies on ATRA for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) in children. We have treated 17 children with APL using ATRA for remission induction followed by an intermittent schedule of ATRA plus intensive chemotherapy (APL-ATRA protocol). There were 10 males and 7 females. The median age was 9.0 years old. The median baseline white blood cell count was 12.1 x 10(3)/microliter, hemoglobin 7.8 g/dl, platelet 4.5 x 10(4) microliters at diagnosis. Sixteen patients showed t(15; 17) translocation. RT-PCR analysis was available in 15 patients and showed PML/RAR alpha rearrangement in all patients. Overall, 13 or 17 newly diagnosed patients (88%) achieved complete remission and EFS was 67%. Compared to the control (same chemotherapy without ATRA regimen), remission induction and EFS were significantly increased. The toxicity of ATRA consisted of retinoic acid syndrome in 1 and pseudotumor cerebli in another. Other toxicities included headache, chelitis, gastrointestinal trouble and bone pain. These results suggest that intermittent and cyclic regimen with ATRA and intensive chemotherapy (APL-ATRA protocol) is highly effective for APL patients.

Aclarubicin↗

Physiologic remodeling annuloplasty to retain the shape of the anterior leaflet: a new concept in mitral valve repair.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS OF THE STUDY: The Carpentier-Edwards (CE) ring was developed to restore the normal 3:4 ratio between the anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the mitral valve orifice during systole. It is difficult to use in patients in whom the ratio is more than 3:4. To overcome this problem, we developed an adjustable obturator, the ratio of which may be changed by sliding apart its two components. METHODS: Remodeling annuloplasty was performed using part of a flexible Duran ring or autologous pericardium and the adjustable obturator in 17 patients with severe MR, including two with high anterior leaflet. RESULTS: Physiologic remodeling annuloplasty was easily accomplished in all cases. Intraoperative echocardiography was performed in 14 patients, and it showed no regurgitant jet in 11 cases and only trivial jet in three. CONCLUSION: Physiologic remodeling annuloplasty to retain the natural shape of the anterior leaflet by using an adjustable obturator is a very useful technique that enables annuloplasty to be performed in all cases, irrespective of the shape of the anterior leaflet.

Adult↗

[Pharmacokinetic and clinical evaluation of cefozopran in premature and newborn patients].

Cefozopran (SCE-2787, CZOP), which is already on the market with a variety of approved indications in infectious diseases for adult patients, was administered to premature and newborn patients to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and the clinical efficacy. 1. Pharmacokinetics CZOP was intravenously administered at doses of 10.0 mg/kg, 21.4 mg/kg and 40.0 mg/kg to premature and newborn patients, and the blood concentrations and urinary excretion rate were examined. The blood CZOP concentrations were 31.7 and 65.5 micrograms/ml at 30 minutes after administration of 10.0 mg/kg and 40.0 mg/kg, respectively. The elimination half life was 1.78 hours and 2.31 hours, and the urinary recovery was 110.7% and 53.7% within 6 hours after administration, respectively. In the patient given 21.4 mg/kg, the blood CZOP concentration was 36.4 mg/kg at 1 an hour after administration and the elimination half life was 3.97 hours. The urinary recovery was 29.6% within 5 hours after administration. 2. Clinical results The clinical efficacy was evaluated in 19 patients and judged "good" or better in 13 of them with the efficacy rate or 68.4%. The bacteriological response was evaluated in 10 patients from whom Gram-positive cocci of S. aureus (6 strains), S. pneumoniae (1 strain) and E. faecalis (1 strain) and Gram-negative bacilli of H. influenzae (2 strains) and E. coli (2 strains) were isolated as possible causative organisms. With exception of 1 strain each of S aureus and H influenzae, which were not tested after the treatment with CZOP, all of these strains were found to be eradicated. 3. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of signs and symptoms and abnormal alterations of laboratory test values. Safety evaluation was made in 24 patients. ADRs of signs and symptoms were recognized in none of them. As abnormal alterations of laboratory test values, increased eosinophils in 3 patients, elevated GOT in one and elevated GPT in one were recognized. These results indicate that CZOP is a drug useful for treatment of infections in premature and newborn patients.

Bacterial Infections↗

Disorganization of microtubular network in postischemic liver dysfunction: its functional and morphological changes.

Microtubules in the hepatocytes have been implicated to serve as lines of cytoplasmic transport of secretory materials, but are highly labile structures sensitive to pathological conditions in the cytosol. We examined the role of ischemia/reperfusion-induced cytoskeletal alterations in postischemic liver dysfunction. Rabbit livers were subjected to 60-min warm ischemia followed by 1 h or 24 h of reperfusion. Liver function was assessed by directly measuring hepatic clearance of indocyanine green (ICG), an organic anion whose cytoplasmic transport is assumed to depend on intact microtubules, using near-infrared spectroscopy. Structural alterations of microtubules were observed immunohistochemically using tissue sections stained with monoclonal anti-beta-tubulin antibody. ICG removal from hepatocytes into bile canaliculi deteriorated 1 h but reversed 24 h after reperfusion. Immunohistochemistry showed fragmentation of microtubules at the end of liver ischemia. This cytoskeletal alteration was evident 1 h but was not observed 24 h after reperfusion. Treatment with prostaglandin E1 exerted its beneficial effect by preserving ICG clearance and microtubular network. These results demonstrate that liver ischemia and subsequent reperfusion both affect the organization of microtubular network and suggest that structural disruption of microtubules may be a cause of postischemic liver dysfunction.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗