Biomedical subjects

T Higuchi

Publications and source records attributed to T Higuchi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Measurement of the quark mixing parameter cos2phi1 using time-dependent Dalitz analysis of B0 -->D[KS(0)pi + pi-]h0.

We present a measurement of the angle phi1 of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa unitarity triangle using a time-dependent Dalitz analysis of D-->KS(0)pi + pi- decays produced in neutral B meson decay to a neutral D meson and a light meson (B0-->D*h0). The method allows a direct extraction of 2phi1 and, therefore, helps to resolve the ambiguity between 2phi1 and pi-2phi1 in the measurement of sin2phi1. We obtain sin2phi1= 0.78 +/- 0.44 +/- 0.22 and cos2varphi1 = 1.87(-0.53-0.32)(+0.40 + 0.22). The sign of cos2phi1 is determined to be positive at 98.3% C.L.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Relation of interlobar collaterals to radiological heterogeneity in severe emphysema.

BACKGROUND: A study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of interlobar collateral ventilation in patients with severe emphysema to identify factors that may help to predict patients with significant collateral ventilation. METHODS: Between April 2002 and August 2003, ex vivo assessment of the lungs 17 consecutive patients with smoking related severe emphysema was performed. To assess collateral flow, all lobes of explanted specimens were selectively intubated using a wedged cuffed microlaryngeal intubation tube and then manually ventilated using a bagging circuit. Interlobar collateral ventilation was defined as the ability to easily inflate a non-intubated lobe at physiological pressures. Pre-transplant demographic characteristics, physiological data, radiological results, and explant histology were assessed for retrospective relationships with the degree of interlobar collateral ventilation in the explanted lung. RESULTS: A total of 23 lungs were evaluated, 15 of which (66%) had significant collateral interlobar airflow. There were no significant differences in any demographic, physiological, or pathological variables between patients with collateral ventilation and those with no collateral ventilation. However, there was a significant relationship between the presence of interlobar collateral ventilation and radiological scores (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Interlobar collateral ventilation occurs to a much greater extent in patients with radiologically homogeneous emphysema than in those with heterogeneous emphysema. Heterogeneity of emphysema may predict patients with a significantly reduced risk of interlobar collateral ventilation.

Female↗

PubMed2006

Chylothorax as a complication of innominate vein thrombosis induced by a peripherally inserted central catheter.

A 5-month-old boy with hypoplastic left heart syndrome developed chylothorax and oedema of the left upper arm more than 2 months after recovering from a Norwood stage II operation. Venography showed occlusion of the innominate vein with abundant collaterals crossing the midline to join the right internal jugular vein. The occlusion was caused by a peripherally inserted central catheter under systemic heparinisation. This case highlights the importance of a patent venous pathway, especially in patients with a cavopulmonary connection in the upper extremities.

Brachiocephalic Veins↗

PubMed2006

Advanced colorectal polyps with the molecular and morphological features of serrated polyps and adenomas: concept of a 'fusion' pathway to colorectal cancer.

AIM: To establish and explain the pattern of molecular signatures across colorectal polyps. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-two sessile serrated adenomas (SSA), 10 mixed polyps (MP), 15 traditional serrated adenomas (SA), 49 hyperplastic polyps (HP) and 84 adenomas were assessed for mutation of KRAS and BRAF and aberrant expression of p53. The findings were correlated with loss of expression of O-6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT). KRAS mutation occurred more frequently (26.5%) than BRAF mutation (4.8%) in adenomas (P < 0.001) and particularly in adenomas with villous architecture (50%). Loss of expression of MGMT correlated with KRAS mutation in small tubular adenomas (P < 0.04). BRAF mutation was frequent in HPs (67%) and SSAs (81%), while KRAS mutation was infrequent (4% and 3%, respectively). Of MPs and SAs, 72% had either BRAF or KRAS mutation. Aberrant expression of p53 was uncommon overall, but occurred more frequently in MPs and SAs (12%) than adenomas (1%) (P < 0.04) and there was concordant loss of expression of MGMT. CONCLUSIONS: Molecular alterations that are characteristic of the serrated pathway and adenoma-carcinoma sequence can co-occur in a minority of advanced colorectal polyps that then show morphological features of both pathways. These lesions account for only 2% of colorectal polyps, but may be relatively aggressive.

Adenoma↗

PubMed2006

Optic nerve and spinal cord manifestations of malignant atrophic papulosis (Degos disease).

A fatal case of malignant atrophic papulosis (Degos disease) with optic nerve and spinal cord involvement is described. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the optic nerve showed abnormal signal enhancement on fat suppressed T1 weighted images after intravenous meglumine gadopentetate infusion. On T2 weighted sagittal images, a sawtooth pattern was observed over seven vertebral segments of the spinal cord. On necropsy, a severe loss of myelinated nerve fibres in the left optic nerve was seen, with thrombotic obstruction of the central retinal artery. Spongy degeneration was observed in all levels of the spinal cord, with patchy and motheaten patterns caused by thromboses and endothelial proliferation in subarachnoid vessels. Findings on MRI were consistent with findings on pathological examination.

Atrophy↗

PubMed2006

Central and/or peripheral immunoreactivity of orexin-A in pregnant rats and women.

Orexins (A and B) have been implicated in feeding behavior, energy balance and state of vigilance. During pregnancy, their involvement in feeding regulation and reproduction are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated orexin-A immunoreactivity in the hypothalamus and serum in pregnant rats and women by immunofluorescence staining, image analysis and radioimmunoassay, examined the correlation of serum orexin-A and leptin with gestational age in pregnant women by regression analysis, and explored the effect of leptin injected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) on orexin-A immunoreactivity in the hypothalamus of normal rats by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that pregnant rats had significantly greater daily food intake on days 15 and 20 of pregnancy than virgin ones (+27.3%, P< 0.01 and +38.6%, P< 0.001 respectively), with significantly fewer number and lower mean staining intensity of orexin-A-immunoreactive (ir) neurons on days 16 (both P< 0.05) and 21 (both P< 0.01) of pregnancy. Moreover, serum levels of orexin-A exhibited 2.0-fold and 2.2-fold increases (both P< 0.001) in rats on days 16 and 21 of pregnancy compared with those in virgin rats, and 1.9-fold and 2.0-fold increases (both P< 0.001) in mid (13-26 weeks) and late pregnant women (27-40 weeks) compared with those in non-pregnant women. Simultaneously, serum levels of leptin showed a 2.3-fold and 2.2-fold increase (both P< 0.001) in rats on days 16 and 21 of pregnancy, and a 3.3-fold and 4.3-fold increase (both P< 0.001) in mid and late pregnant women. Serum levels of both orexin-A and leptin correlated positively with gestational age in pregnant women. Leptin injected i.c.v. significantly decreased the number (P< 0.01) and mean staining intensity (P< 0.01) of orexin-A-ir neurons in the hypothalamus, food intake (P< 0.01) and body weight gain (P< 0.001) compared with vehicle injection in normal rats. These results suggested that central and serum orexin-A might be involved in the regulation of feeding and energy metabolism during pregnancy. The change in central orexin-A immunoreactivity might be related to the increased serum leptin concentrations.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Recycling mineral nutrients to farmland via compost application.

Increased cultivation of farmland has resulted in nutrient deficiency and consequently fertility degradation of soils. This research examined the application of composted wastes in terms of the feasibility and effectiveness of recycling plant essential minerals. Minerals in composts (derived from sewage sludge, livestock excrement, and municipal solid wastes, respectively) and in amended soils were observed. Ca/Mg ratios in amended soils and the effect of compost applications (mineral nutrients and heavy metals) on plant uptake were also studied. Results showed that composts, especially those made from sewage sludge and livestock excrement, were richer in mineral nutrients but also contained more heavy metals than untreated soil. The increase in some elements and plant-growth-essential Ca/Mg ratios were found in amended farmlands, implying that compost applications have made up for the nutrient deficiency and have adjusted chemical conditions of the soil. The soil contamination from heavy metals was noticeable. However, some results showed that the large existence of mineral nutrients and heavy metals in soils has caused no significant increase in the plant uptake of elements. The controlled composting process and farmland uses are believed necessary for reducing the heavy metal accumulation in agricultural plants.

Agriculture↗

PubMed2006

Study on the potential of farmland soils as non-point sources of nitrogen and phosphorus in Japan.

The amounts of N and P accumulated in farmland soils of 50 cm depth were equivalent to the amount of chemical fertilizer supplied for 50-70 years. The values of N/P of surface soils in farmlands were 1.0-4.3, lower than expected. The median diameter of soil particles in run-off waters was generally less than 10 microm. The mean values of particulate fractions over 1 microm and over 0.22 microm were 19% for N, 27% for P, and 39% for N, 64% for P respectively. Fine particles of soil containing concentrated phosphorus should be carefully monitored as potential sources related to eutrophication.

Agriculture↗

PubMed2006

On-site treatment of turbid river water using chitosan, a natural organic polymer coagulant.

Chitosan, acetylate of chitin, is a biodegradable cationic polymer. The objective of this study is to assess the applicability of chitosan as an on-site treatment agent of turbid water caused by river construction works and other diffused pollutions. The results of jar-tests indicate that floc of chitosan is much larger than that of aluminium sulfate, and turbidity treated by chitosan under moving water conditions is much lower than that of aluminium sulfate. Chitosan is applied to Imou River in Yamaguchi prefecture, where river construction work is going on. St.1 is located just below the construction work, St.2 is located about 250 m downstream from St.1, and St.3 is located about 350 m downstream from St.2. Initial turbidity of each station is 1,100, 937 and 313 NTU, respectively. By applying chitosan at St.1, turbidity of each station is drastically reduced to 1,100, 12 and 0 NTU. Chitosan could be helpful to reduce problems caused by turbidity in rivers.

Alum Compounds↗

PubMed2006

Resource recovery from excess sludge by subcritical water combined with magnesium ammonium phosphate process.

The amount of excess sludge produced in municipal wastewater treatment plants in Japan is increasing every year as the urban population increases. Phosphorus in excess sludge could be a potential phosphorus resource since at present, phosphate rock is being exhausted all over the world. Every year, Japan imports large quantities of phosphorus from abroad but much is discharged as excess sludge. Therefore, the solubilization process, one method of recovering phosphorus from sludge, could be a promising solution. In this study, a subcritical water process, a new technology that solubilizes sludge under subcritical conditions, was applied before the phosphorus in sludge was recovered with the magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) process. As a result, the solubilization rate of excess sludge achieved approximately 80% and about 94-97% of the phosphorus could be recovered.

Cities↗

PubMed2006

Clinical study of influenza-associated rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure.

AIMS: Influenza-associated rhabdomyolysis induces renal failure with a fatal outcome. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment efficacy of influenza-associated rhabdomyolysis patients with acute renal failure (ARF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects included 6 patients who had presented with rhabdomyolysis and ARF due to influenza infection on admission to our university hospital and its 2 affiliated hospitals between January 2002 and February 2004. We retrospectively examined the cases. RESULTS: All the patients (n = 6) were males, and none of them had received an influenza vaccine. The viruses were identified as influenza A (n = 5) and B (n = 1). Muscular weakness was observed in many cases (n = 5), whereas pain or tenderness was observed in only 1 case (n = 1). For anuric or oliguric patients (n = 4), blood purification therapy was performed, while for patients in whom the urine volume was normal (n = 2), conservative therapy was administered. CONCLUSION: Careful medical attention is necessary when patients have muscle pain and weakness. Early recognition of rhabdomyolysis allows prompt institution of an appropriate therapy that includes blood purification and may minimize the renal dysfunction associated with this disorder.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

PubMed2006

Pharmacokinetic analysis of paclitaxel and carboplatin in a patient with advanced ovarian cancer during hemodialysis--case report.

We examined pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel and carboplatin in a FIGO Stage IIIb ovarian cancer patient with hemodialysis-dependent chronic renal failure. The patient suffered from recurrence of the disease after treatment with optimal debulking surgery and postoperative chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide, and she was treated with combined paclitaxel and carboplatin as second-line chemotherapy. The carboplatin dose was chosen to produce a target area under the concentration/time curve (AUC) of 5.0 microg-min/ml according to a published formula. Four-hour hemodialysis was started 24 hours and 16 hours after the end of carboplatin administration in the first and second courses of the chemotherapy, respectively. Pharmacokinetic studies showed that the AUCs of free platinum were 8.03 and 5.69 microg-min/ml in the first and second courses of the chemotherapy, respectively, suggesting that the AUC of carboplatin is affected by hemodialysis. However, an attenuation pattern of paclitaxel was almost similar between the first and the second courses, indicating that the change in blood concentration of paclitaxel was similar to that of patients with normal renal function. Hematological and nonhematological adverse effects were at an acceptable degree. The evidence suggests that even patients with chronic renal failure can undergo combination chemotherapy of paclitaxel and carboplatin without suffering any severe adverse effects by determining the time to start hemodialysis.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

PubMed2005

Dynamic gadolinium-enhanced fat-suppressed T1-weighted MRI (chemical shift selective images) for remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema.

A 75-year-old man suddenly suffered from polyarthralgia and pitting edema in his distal extremities. Laboratory tests revealed inflammation, negative rheumatoid factor, and positive B7 human leukocyte antigen typing. Severe synovitis was observed in dynamic gadolinium-enhanced fat-suppressed (DGEFS) T1-weighted images of his right hand. Our diagnosis was remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema (RS(3)PE syndrome). He responded dramatically to low-dose corticosteroids, after which his synovitis remarkably improved as observed with DGEFS imaging. DGEFS imaging is useful for distribution of synovitis in patients with RS(3)PE syndrome as well as assessing the efficacy of treatment.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Studies of CP violation in B-->J/PsiK* decays.

CP violation in B-->J/PsiK* decays is studied using an angular analysis in a data sample of 253 fb(-1) recorded with the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e(-) collider. The flavor separated measurements of the decay amplitudes indicate no evidence for direct CP violation. T-odd CP violation is studied using the asymmetries in triple product correlations, and the results are consistent with the standard model null predictions. The time-dependent angular analysis gives the following values of CP-violating parameters: sin(2phi(1) = 0.24 +/- 0.31 +/- 0.05 and cos(2phi(1)=0.56 +/- 0.79 +/- 0.11.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Measurement of time-dependent CP-violating asymmetries in B0 --> K(s)0K(s)0K(s)0 decay.

We present a measurement of CP-violation parameters in the B0 --> K(s)0K(s)0K(s)0 decay based on a sample of 275 x 10(6) BB pairs collected at the upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB energy-asymmetric e+e- collider. One neutral B meson is fully reconstructed in the decay B0 --> K(s)0K(s)0K(s)0, and the flavor of the accompanying B meson is identified from its decay products. CP-violation parameters are obtained from the asymmetry in the distributions of the proper-time interval between the two B decays: S = +1.26 +/- 0.68(stat) +/- 0.20(syst) and [symbol: see text] = +0.54 +/- 0.34(stat) +/- 0.09(syst).

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Measurement of the time-dependent CP-violating asymmetry in B(0)-->K(0)(S)pi(0)gamma decays.

We present a new measurement of CP-violation parameters in B(0)-->K(0)(S)pi(0)gamma decay based on a sample of 275 x 10(6) BB pairs collected at the Gamma(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB energy-asymmetric e(+)e(-) collider. One of the B mesons is fully reconstructed in the B(0)-->K(0)(S)pi(0)gamma decay. The flavor of the accompanying B meson is identified from its decay products. CP-violation parameters are obtained from the asymmetry in the distribution of the proper time intervals between the two B decays. We obtain SK(0)(S)(pi(0)gamma) = -0.58(+0.46)(-0.38)(stat) +/- 0.11(syst) and AK(0)(S)(pi(0)gamma) = +0.03 +/- 0.34(stat) +/- 0.11(syst), for the K(0)(S)pi(0) invariant mass covering the full range up to 1.8 GeV/c2. We also measure the CP-violation parameters for the case B(0)-->K(*0)(-->K(0)(S)pi(0))gamma and obtain S(K(*0)gamma) = -0.79(+0.63)(-0.50)(stat) +/- 0.10(syst) for A(K(*0)gamma) fixed at 0.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Observation of the D1(2420)-->Dpi + pi- decays.

We report on the first observation of D0/1(2420)-->D0pi- pi+ and D+/1(2420-->D+ pi- pi+ decays (where the contribution from the dominant known D1-->D*pi decay mode is excluded) in the B- -->D0/1pi-) and (-)B0-->D+/1pi- decays, respectively. The observation is based on 15.2 x 10(7) B(-)B events collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB collider. We also set 90% confidence level upper limits for the branching fractions of the four following decays: B- -->D0/1pi-, D01-->D(*0)pi- pi+, (-)B0-->D+/1pi-, D+/1-->D(*+) pi- pi+, B- -->D(*0)2(2460)pi-, D(*0)2 -->D(*0) pi- pi+, (-)B0-->D(*+)2(2460)pi-, D(*+)2-->D(*+)pi- pi+.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Study of the suppressed decays B- -->[K+pi-](D)K- and B- -->[K+pi-]Dpi-.

We report a study of the suppressed decays B--->[K(+)pi(-)](D)K- and B--->[K(+)pi(-)](D)pi(-), where [K(+)pi(-)](D) indicates that the K+pi(-) pair originates from a neutral D meson. These decay modes are sensitive to the unitarity triangle angle varphi(3). We use a data sample containing 275 x 10(6) BB pairs recorded at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric e(+)e(-) storage ring. The signal for B--->[K(+)pi(-)](D)K- is not statistically significant, and we set a limit r(B)<0.27 at 90% confidence level, where r(B) is the magnitude of the ratio of amplitudes |A(B--->D 0K-)/A(B--->D0K-)|. We observe a signal with 6.4sigma statistical significance in the related mode, B--->[K(+)pi(-)](D)pi(-).

Journal Article↗