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Biomedical subjects

T Fujioka

Publications and source records attributed to T Fujioka.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

[Relationship between grade and stage of renal pelvic and/or ureteral tumor and associated bladder tumor].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze bladder tumor (BT) associated with renal pelvic and/or ureteral tumor (RUT), with emphasis on the relationship between the grade and stage of these tumors. METHODS: We reviewed 77 cases of RUT operated upon at our hospital during the last 14 years. We herein define stage T1b tumor as invasive since this stage of tumor is considered to have a different biologic behavior and potential compared to stage Ta tumor. RESULTS: Of the 77 patients, 29 had associated BTs: 8 with a concomitant BT, 3 with BT antedating RUT, and 18 with a subsequent BT. In addition, one patient with preceding BT and two with concomitant cases developed BT after the RUT operation, permitting 21 cases to be categorized in the subsequent BT group. Thirty one out of 32 cases of associated BTs had the same or a lower grade of RUT while one-patient who initially had G2 T1b RUT developed G3 T2 BT 5 years after total nephroureterectomy. In the preceding cases, two patients with Ta BTs, had Ta RUTs, and one patient with T1b BT antedated T2 RUT. In the concomitant BTs, all four cases with stage Ta RUT exhibited Ta BT, and another four with invasive RUT presented invasive BT. In the subsequent cases, 18 out of 21 patients developed Ta BT. CONCLUSION: In the preceding and concomitant cases, associated BT & RUT tend to have the same nature, that is, to be either invasive or non-invasive. In contrast to these cases, 18 out of 21 patients in subsequent cases developed Ta BT. However, since three out of 10 patients with invasive RUT subsequently developed invasive BTs1 careful follow-up for invasive RUT should be mandatory to detect recurrent invasive BTs in their early stage.

Adult↗

Sequential analyses of the mutations in the core upstream and precore regions of hepatitis B virus genome in anti-HBe positive-carriers developing acute exacerbation.

The nucleotide sequences of the core upstream and precore regions (371 nucleotide length, nt. 1604-1974) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) were analysed sequentially in three subjects who were positive serologically for anti-HBe and had acute clinical exacerbation after immunosuppressive treatment. These patients were asymptomatic HBV carriers before therapy. The results revealed that the mutant with an 8-bp deletion (nt. 1768-1775) located in the basic core promoter region was dominant in the asymptomatic HBV carrier phase in two of three subjects. After exacerbation, however, such mutant clones possessing 8-bp deletion disappeared or decreased in number and were replaced by the clones possessing a precore stop codon mutation G to A (nt. 1896) or by the clones possessing additional contiguous point mutations A to T (nt. 1762) and G to A (nt. 1764) and a new point mutation C to T (nt. 1653). Possible relationships between acute exacerbation of liver function accompanied by mutation and the transition of the dominant clones were discussed.

Acute Disease↗

[Cystic renal cell carcinoma: report of four cases].

We report 4 cases of cystic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), one of simple cystic type (case 2) and three of multilocular cystic type (case 1, 3 and 4). All cases were diagnosed preoperatively as malignant neoplasms on the basis of radiological examinations, including CT scan and angiography. Pathological examination revealed that intrinsic cystic growth was the probable cause in the three cases of multilocular cystic RCC, while the simple cystic case was probably caused by secondary cyst formation as a result of tumor necrosis. Radical nephrectomy was performed in cases 1, 2 and 4 and partial nephrectomy in case 3. We recommend nephron-sparing surgery as an option in the management of select cystic RCC, given that many cystic RCCs are low grade and enveloped by distinct pseudocapsules with fibrous tissues.

Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar↗

[Radiological findings in endomyocardial fibrosis].

PURPOSE: To determine through conventional radiology the type of ventricular involvement in endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF). METHODS: We analyzed 56 cases with EMF confirmed by angiocardiography and 9 by postmortem study, aged between 16 and 56 years (mean 32); there were 42 females. Only one radiologist analyzed X-rays without any knowledge of the cineangiography findings. RESULTS: The right side of the heart was primarily involved in 9 patients and the cardiac silhouette was characteristically globular and had oligemic pulmonary fields (66.66%). The cardiothoracic ratio was 0.62 +/- 0.11. Out of 9 patients, 8 were female. The left side of the heart was established as being primarily involved in 11 cases and simulated rheumatic mitral disease. The cardiothoracic ratio was 0.51 +/- 0.09 and there were increased pulmonary fields in 63.6%. The biventricular disease occurred in 36 cases. There were radiologic findings of right and left side. The cardiothoracic ratio was 0.63 +/- 0.06 and there was oligemic pulmonary fields in 38.8%, increased pulmonary fields in 33.3% and was normal in 27.7%. There were 4:1 females. CONCLUSION: The radiological study is fundamental in the initial diagnosis of EMF. The type of involvement could be done in 66.07% of all cases by chest X-ray.

Adolescent↗

Molecular typing of Helicobacter pylori: differences in pathogenicity among diverse strains.

Helicobacter pylori appears to be a species with strain diversity, according to studies carried out using various molecular biological techniques. Differences in pathogenicity caused by the strain diversity of H. pylori were therefore investigated. Two hundred and thirty strains were divided into four types by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, and their relationship to endoscopic diagnosis, ammonia concentration of gastric juice, and urease activity were assessed. With regard to incidence by type, patients infected with type 1, type 2, and type 3 exhibited the highest incidences of gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, and gastritis, respectively. The urease activity of type 2 was significantly lower than that of types 1 and 3 (P < 0.05). These observations suggest differences in pathogenicity due to the strain diversity of H. pylori. However, the diversity of diseases related to H. pylori is also presumed to be caused by both the diversity of H. pylori strains and differences in the host immunological reaction. Future studies should be directed toward clarifying the entire pathogenic mechanism of H. pylori infection.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗

In vitro contraction of the canine corpus cavernosum penis by direct perfusion with prolactin or growth hormone.

PURPOSE: It is well established that hyperprolactinemia, most typically seen in prolactinoma patients, causes hypogonadism and impotence. There seems to be a good possibility that hyperprolactinemia causes impotence, at least partially via some intrinsic property of prolactin (PRL), rather than through its suppressive effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal testosterone dynamics. In the present investigation, we used an in vitro canine model to attempt to clarify whether direct action of PRL on the corpus cavernosum penis may lead to erectile insufficiency. Growth hormone (GH) and placental lactogen (PL), both having close structural and functional homologies to PRL, were also studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Isometric tension measurement with cavernous strips was performed in the presence or absence of 10(-5) to 10(-9) M. PRL, GH, or PL in the perfusion medium. The tension change induced by the test substances was normalized relative to that induced by 120 mEq KCl. RESULTS: Both PRL and GH produced dose-related elevations (p < 0.01) of the cavernous tension, whereas PL and thiol-cleaved PRL in comparable doses were without effect (p > 0.05). When the tension rise produced by 120 mEq KCl was taken as 100%, the maximum contractions produced by PRL and GH were 80% and 110%. The minimum effective concentration was 10(-8) to 10(-7) M. for both PRL and GH. Pretreatment with indomethacin (10(-5) M.), but not tetrodotoxin (10(-5) M., partially suppressed (p < 0.05) the effects of PRL. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that PRL and GH directly and specifically produced contraction of the corpus cavernosum penis, resulting in erectile insufficiency, and that the effect of PRL is partially mediated by prostaglandin.

Animals↗

Helicobacter pylori infection delays the healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer in Japanese monkeys.

To clarify the relationship between Helicobacter pylori and the healing of gastric ulcers, we investigated the healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers in the antral mucosa of Japanese monkeys (n = 5) infected with H. pylori and in control monkeys without H. pylori infection (n = 6). Using H. pylori-infected Japanese monkeys as an experimental model, gastric ulcers were induced endoscopically with acetic acid. Healing of ulcers and factors that influenced healing were studied. Continuous colonization with H. pylori was confirmed in the infected group throughout the observation period; no H. pylori were isolated from the gastric mucosa of the control group. White scarring was not observed in any infected monkeys 4 weeks after ulcer formation, but was observed in one (20%) of five monkeys at 6 weeks and in all five monkeys eight weeks after ulcer formation. In the control group, white scarring was observed in one (16.7%) of six monkeys at 4 weeks and in six monkeys at 6 (P < 0.01 vs infected group) and 8 weeks. The ammonia concentration of the gastric secretions and the grade of inflammation were significantly increased in the H. pylori-infected group compared with the control group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively). The volume of intracellular PAS-positive substance was decreased (P < 0.025-0.01) at the ulcer margin in the infected group compared with the ulcer margin in the control group. The proliferation of gastric epithelial cells was markedly accelerated at the ulcer margin in the infected group compared with the ulcer margin in control group (P < 0.025-0.01). Our results strongly suggest that H. pylori infection delays the healing of gastric ulcers.

Acetic Acid↗

Mechanisms of veno-occlusion within and outside the canine corpus cavernosum penis using a pressure-flow technique and cavernoso-venography.

BACKGROUND: Physiological erection of the penis requires multiple mechanisms causing an increase in the arterial blood influx into, and decrease in the venous drainage out of the cavernous space. METHODS: We investigated the extent and location of the venous occlusion that occurs with penile erection within (intrinsic mechanism) and outside (extrinsic mechanism) the corpus cavernosum penis, using 15 adult male mongrel dogs. Under controlled flows produced by a combination of aortic ligation and constant infusion of saline into the corpus cavernosum penis, or into the deep dorsal vein, pressures within the cavernous space or deep dorsal vein were measured before and after electrical stimulation of the pelvic splanchnic (pelvic nerve), the hypogastric, and pudendal nerve. An increase in pressure following nerve stimulations represented an increase in outflow resistance due to occlusion of the venous system. Pre-and post-stimulation radiologic evaluations were performed to determine the site(s) of venous occlusion. RESULTS: Unilateral stimulation of the pelvic nerve caused leftward shift of the corporeal pressure-flow curve. Bilateral stimulation of the pudendal nerve caused a marked rise in deep dorsal vein pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Both intrinsic and extrinsic venous occlusion mechanisms exist and that the former is activated primarily by unilateral stimulation of the pelvic nerve and the latter by bilateral stimulation of the pudendal nerve. The occlusion site for the extrinsic mechanism was localized to where the dorsal vein penetrates the muscles at the base of the pelvis, whereas the precise site for the intrinsic mechanism could not be determined.

Animals↗

Testicular cancer in father and son.

The occurrence of testicular tumors in closely related family members is rare. We report a case of testicular cancers in a father and son. The father had pure seminoma, and his son developed a mixed nonseminomatous germ cell tumor. The peripheral blood lymphocytes in both patients were tested for 52 HLA specificities, and the patients were found to have six in common. The son was homozygous for HLA A24. The association between certain HLA antigens, other genetic factors, and testicular cancer requires further study to improve the care and counseling of patients and their families.

Adult↗

Synthesis and biological activities of optically active 6-[3-(3,4-dimethoxybenzylamino)-2-hydroxypropoxy]-2(1H)-quinolinone (OPC-18790).

The enantiomers of 6-[3-(3,4-dimethoxybenzylamino)-2-hydroxypropoxy]-2(1H)-quinolinon e (OPC-18790), a novel cardiotonic agent, were synthesized and evaluated for positive inotropic activity. The key intermediates, 2,3-epoxypropoxy derivatives, were obtained by the alkylation of 6-hydroxy-2(1H)-quinolinone with optically active epichlorohydrin and subsequent ring closure. In an in vitro study, the (R)-(+)-isomer was about 10-fold more potent than the (S)-(-)-isomer.

Animals↗

The mechanism of comparable serum cholesterol lowering effects of pravastatin sodium, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A inhibitor, between once- and twice-daily treatment regimens in beagle dogs and rabbits.

In dogs, no significant difference in the reduction of serum cholesterol was observed among three dosing regimens of pravastatin: once in the morning (3 mg/kg), once in the evening (3 mg/kg), and twice-daily (1.5 mg/kg x 2) for 21 days. In rabbits, pravastatin was administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg once-daily given in the evening or 25 mg/kg twice-daily for 14 days; the respective serum and liver cholesterol levels were decreased by 41% and 7% in the once-daily dosing and by 51% and 11% in the twice-daily dosing. The amount of low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor protein was increased 1.2-1.3-fold (P < 0.05) by both treatments, and no significant difference was noted between these treatment regimens. In addition, there was no significant difference in the extent of up-regulated LDL receptor protein between once-daily dosing in the evening and once-daily dosing in the morning. In the experiments with rabbit hepatocytes, the up-regulated LDL receptor activity induced by preincubation with pravastatin was retained even 24 hr after the removal of pravastatin. These results suggest that the comparable efficacy of pravastatin between once- and twice-daily treatment could be explained by retention of up-regulated LDL receptor activity for more than 24 hr in vitro and in vivo.

Administration, Oral↗

[Atherosclerosis regression in the elderly--correlation between centrally depressed lesions and risk factors].

Atherosclerotic plaque with central depression (depressed lesion) may indicate regression of atherosclerosis in the aorta. Aortic depressed lesions have a solitary elevated area of plaque with a sharply-bordered roung depression in its center and no area ulceration. This may be interpretable as a sign of regression of atherosclerosis. To clarify the pathogenesis of depressed lesion, we studied clinical risk factors such as hypercholesterolemia in patients with depressed lesions that were confirmed at autopsy. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to their total cholesterol level at autopsy: a high-risk group (> or = 220 mg/dl), a moderate-risk group (180-220 mg/dl), and a low-risk group (< or = 180 mg/dl). Depressed lesions were found in 16.4% of those in the high-risk group, in 14.6% of those in the moderate-risk group and in 69.0% of those in the low-risk group. Severe aortic atherosclerosis was found in 69.8% of the patients; 50.9% of those with severe disease were in the-low risk group. Depressed lesions were also found in those with low levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (< or = 140 mg/dl), 58.8% of whom were found to have severe atherosclerosis. There was no relationship between total cholesterol level and the presence of depressed lesions. However, a clinical prevention trial may result in sufficient control of ahterosclerosis among those in the high-risk group and may also lead to regression of aortic lesions.

Aortic Diseases↗

Epi-cochlioquinone A, a novel acyl-CoA : cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitor produced by Stachybotrys bisbyi.

A novel acyl-CoA : cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor, designated epi-cochlioquinone A has been isolated from the fermentation broth of Stachybotrys bisbyi SANK 17777. The molecular formula, physicochemical properties, NMR spectroscopic analysis and X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed that this compound was a stereoisomer of cochlioquinone A, which has been previously reported as a nematocidal agent. It inhibited ACAT activity in an enzyme assay using rat liver microsomes with an IC50 value of 1.7 microM. However, it showed about 10-fold less potent inhibitory effect on plasma lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) than on ACAT. In addition, it inhibited in vivo cholesterol absorption in rats by 50% at 75 mg/kg.

Animals↗

Schizostatin, a novel squalene synthase inhibitor produced by the mushroom, Schizophyllum commune. I. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation, physico-chemical properties and biological activities.

In the process of screening for squalene synthase inhibitors from microbial fermentation products we have isolated a novel compound, named schizostatin (Fig. 1), from the culture broth of the mushroom, Schizophyllum commune SANK 17785. Schizostatin inhibited rat liver microsomal squalene synthase dose dependently and the IC50 value was 0.84 microM. The inhibition was competitive with respect to farnesylpyrophosphate with a Ki value of 0.45 microM.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

Antitumor effects of angiogenesis inhibitor 0-(chloroacetyl-carbamoyl) fumagillol (TNP-470) against murine renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The effect of 0-(chloroacetyl-carbamoyl) fumagillol (TNP-470) on tumor growth and metastasis is investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BALB/c mice were inoculated with Renca murine tumor and graded doses of TNP-470 were given subcutaneously every other day beginning on day 1 and ending on day 9. Tumor angiogenesis was measured quantitatively by a colorimetric assay. RESULTS: TNP-470 inhibited tumor growth and prolonged the life span of Renca-bearing mice in a dose-dependent manner. Body weight-loss was not observed in the mice given less than 30 mg./kg./day. When the treatment was delayed on day 6, TNP-470 did not inhibit tumor growth, pointing to the importance of the timing of drug administration in relation to disease stage. Tumor angiogenesis was inhibited 33 to 62% of the control level by TNP-470. Furthermore, TNP-470 reduced pulmonary and hepatic metastatic foci of intravenously inoculated Renca and of the tumor inoculated in the spleen. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that TNP-470 may be effective as a treatment of renal cell carcinoma, especially when micrometastases are involved.

Animals↗

[A course of pirarubicin vesical irrigation at thirty mg effectively prevents post-TUR recurrence of superficial bladder cancer].

In order to study its safety and anti-cancer dose-effectiveness in the prevention of cancer recurrence, two groups of patients having superficial bladder cancer (TUR-Bt) had their bladder intravesically irrigated post-surgically with 20 or 30 mg aliquots of (2''R)-4'-0-tetrahydropyranyl-adriamycin (THP). A total of 74 patients with bladder cancer were entered in the study. Four cases proved ineligible, and 30 could not complete the planned treatment. THP vesical irrigation of 14-17 sessions was regarded as a condition for eligibility: Clinical evaluation was feasible with 19 patients of 20 mg and 21 of 30 mg THP. Non-recurrence rates at 1, 2, 3 and 4 years were 89.5, 53.3, and 26.6%, respectively, for the 20 mg group, and 95.2, 84.3, 75.9 and 75.9%, respectively, for the 30 mg THP group. The incidence of side effects appeared slightly greater in the 30 mg THP group than in the 20 mg group, and there were no systemic adverse reactions. Topical reaction of cystitis was noted to be as low as 12.5%. Thus, THP vesical irrigations at 30 mg were found tolerable and effective for the prevention of local recurrence following TUR-Bt.

Administration, Intravesical↗