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Biomedical subjects

T Muto

Publications and source records attributed to T Muto.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Psychosomatic symptoms of Japanese working women and their need for stress management.

This study was conducted to clarify Japanese female workers' psychosomatic symptoms including women-specific complaints and their need for stress management as part of occupational health services (OHS). In 1997, a survey was conducted in which a questionnaire was sent to 1108 full-time female workers. The response rate was 92.1%. They classified their own health status excellent (26.0%), good (60.4%), fair (9.6%), or bad (1.6%). They also reported their irritability (25.3%) and depression (15.6%). There were high rates of complaints of eye discomfort (53.6%), fatigue (44.1%), headache (43.0%), and menstrual pain (32.5%). Such symptoms were associated with irritability or depression. Amount of overtime works, marital status in the 30-44 age group, the presence of children were found to be important factors in determining health status. Regarding the needs for occupational health services, 22.2% of respondents answered they needed mental health management (MHM). Compared with other services, such as management of lifestyle diseases, gynecological diseases, cancer screenings and counseling on nutrition and exercise, the need for MHM was low. The preferred personnel were female doctors and nurses. Workers who performed frequent overtime work had a greater need for MHM. The most preferred means of receiving MHM was personal counseling by doctors (not psychologists) and nurses.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Biological effects of preoperative radiotherapy on metastatic lymph nodes from rectal cancer.

The quantitative description of the proliferative activity of cancer cells correlates with the aggressiveness of malignant tumors. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the biological effect of adjuvant therapy on metastatic lymph nodes from rectal cancer and to compare the results between patients treated with surgery alone and patients treated with preoperative radiotherapy. Expression of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was examined in metastatic lymph node samples of 12 rectal cancer patients receiving and 14 patients not receiving preoperative radiotherapy. PCNA immunostaining was performed by an avidin-biotin complex immunoperoxidase technique. The results of the mean proliferation index (PI) between the two groups were compared. A semiquantitative PCNA grading system was also estimated. In patients receiving preoperative radiotherapy, the PI was 22.8 per cent, and only one patient had high proliferative grade. On the contrary, the PI in nonirradiated patients was 67.6 per cent, and nine patients showed high proliferative grade. Although not sufficient to reach significance in terms of prognosis, the present study confirms the clinical value of radiation therapy, and it supports the suggestion to treat Dukes' C patients with preoperative radiotherapy to decrease the risk of local recurrence.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1999

[Prospective study on the relationship between physical fitness and all-cause mortality in Japanese men].

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between physical fitness and all-cause mortality in Japanese men. We evaluated the physical fitness and risk for all-cause mortality of 9,986 Japanese men who were given a submaximal exercise test and a medical examination between 1982 and 1984. Physical fitness was measured using a bicycle ergometer test, and maximal oxygen uptake was estimated. The average follow-up time was 14 years, for total of 139,836 person-years of observation. There were 247 deaths during the observation period. The relative risk and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for all-cause mortality were obtained using the Cox proportional hazards model. Following age adjustment, and using the lowest physical fitness (quintile I) group as a reference, the hazard ratios for quintiles II through V were, 0.54 (0.39-0.77), 0.66 (0.47-0.94), 0.58 (0.39-0.86), and 0.46 (0.27-0.78), respectively. After being adjusted for age, body mass index, hypertension, and urinary protein, the hazard ratios were, 0.52 (0.37-0.73), 0.60 (0.42-0.87), 0.50 (0.33-0.75), and 0.39 (0.22-0.67), respectively. The results presented here support the hypothesis that a low level of physical fitness in an important risk factor for all-cause mortality in Japanese men.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Surgical education in the 21st century: undergraduate education].

The purpose of medical education is to bring up good physicians with a high level of knowledge of science, art, and humanity. To achieve this goal, medical education should continue for life starting from the undergraduate period: surgical education should also be lifelong. Unlike the past when the education system was teacher driven, the new system should be student driven, and students must have the ability to question and solve problems. Themselves Bedside learning may offer undergraduates the best understanding of everyday surgical practice; therefore such learning programs should be devised. A nationwide standardized surgical education program is required, with specialized courses added by each medical school. Medical school staff including professors should recognize that their primary obligation is to impact education and spend more time on it. Surgical education for undergraduates is especially important since it influences their future careers as surgeons and should be revised as soon as possible.

Education, Medical, Undergraduate↗
PubMed1999

Ratio of bacteria to polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) determines PMN fate.

This study was designed to investigate how live Escherichia coli influence the fate of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) in vitro. PMNs from 10 healthy volunteers were cocultured with or without live E. coli at different ratios. Heat-killed E. coli (Hk) were also added to PMNs at a ratio of 1:10. The PMNs were then analyzed by flow cytometry for cell death, reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) production, and CD16 expression. Morphologic features were also assessed. PMN apoptosis was confirmed by DNA gel electrophoresis. Low doses of E. coli (PMN:E. coli ratios of 1:0.01 and 1:0.1) inhibited PMN apoptosis. In contrast, a high dose of E. coli (PMN:E. coli ratio of 1:10) increased PMN necrosis. ROI production was significantly greater at PMN:E. coli ratios of 1:10 and 1:10 (Hk) than at ratios of 1:0.01 and 1:0.1, or in PMNs cultured alone after a 15 or 30 minute coculture. CD16 expressions were significantly lower in PMNs cocultured with E. coli than in those cultured alone after a 4 or 12-h coculture. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-6 levels in cell-free supernatants were also measured. The mean percentages of apoptosis at PMN:E. coli ratios of 1:0.01 and 1:10 (Hk), and in PMNs cultured alone after a 12-h coculture showed significant inverse correlations with these cytokine levels in cell-free supernatants at 12 h. Our results demonstrate that low doses of live E. coli inhibits predominantly PMN apoptosis, whereas a high dose of E. coli increases necrosis. Augmented PMN bactericidal function, via inhibition of PMN cell death, may be beneficial for host defense against bacterial infection and/or sepsis.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed1999

[Surgical treatment of ulcerative colitis].

Known indications in the surgical treatment of ulcerative colitis are acute severe attacks, intractability, and cancer prophylaxis. This study was performed to determine the optimum timing of operation in ulcerative colitis. Of 59 patients with intractability, 9(15%) had severe attacks and 6(10%) developed colorectal cancer. The mean duration of disease was 3.6 yr for 14 with severe attacks alone, 6 yr for 44 with intractability alone, 8.6 yr for 9 with both, and 16.5 yr for 16 with cancer prophylaxis. In this series, the operations for intractable disease were more likely to be delayed, and the longer these were delayed, the higher the rate was of pre- and postoperative complications.

Anal Canal↗
PubMed1999

[Molecular biology in the development of colorectal cancer].

In 1988, Vogelstein and colleagues published a paper entitled "Genetic alterations during colorectal-tumor development." This marked the beginning of a series of advances in our understanding of how colorectal cancer develops. This paper also provided evidence for the adenoma-carcinoma sequence. Furthermore, the importance of DNA mismatch repair genes in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer has been recognized. We herein discuss the development of colorectal cancer on the basis of molecular biology, including specific abnormalities of related genes.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1998

Functionally inactivating point mutation in the tumor-suppressor IRF-1 gene identified in human gastric cancer.

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) observed in human tumors strongly suggests the existence of (a) tumor-suppressor gene(s) at the concerned locus. A series of studies has revealed that LOH on the long arm of chromosome 5 (5q) frequently occurs in differentiated gastric adenocarcinomas. Furthermore, it has been shown that the interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) locus on chromosome 5q31.1 is one of the common minimal regions of LOH in these cancers. IRF-1 is a transcriptional activator that shows tumor-suppressor activity in the mouse. In the present study, we examined the sequence of the IRF-1 gene in 9 cases of histologically differentiated gastric adenocarcinomas, all of which exhibited LOH at the IRF-1 locus. We identified a mis-sense mutation in the residual allele in one case. This mutated form of IRF-1 showed markedly reduced transcriptional activity. In addition, overexpression of wild-type IRF-1 induced cell-cycle arrest, whereas such activity was attenuated in the mutant IRF-1. These results suggest that the loss of functional IRF-1 is critical for the development of human gastric cancers.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1998

Regular physical activity and coronary risk factors in Japanese men.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity decreases the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), but its effects on risk factors require further exploration. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study included 3331 adult Japanese men in whom health benefits, especially CHD risk factors, were compared among those who were sedentary and those who were engaged in continuous physical activity of 30 minutes or more per day for 1, 2 and > or =3 days per week. Significantly higher HDL cholesterol values; lower triceps, scapula, and iliac subcutaneous fat thickness; and lower smoking rates were noted in all physically active groups compared with the sedentary group, whereas body mass index did not differ significantly. Waist-to-height ratios and the prevalence of fatty liver were significantly lower in the groups who exercised 2 or > or =3 days per week than in the sedentary group. The lowest triglyceride values were noted in the group who exercised > or =3 days per week. Multiple regression analysis revealed both the frequency of physical activity and smoking status to be independent positive and negative factors, respectively, for the HDL cholesterol value. The sum of the risk factor scores for hypertension, abnormal glucose tolerance, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, and low HDL cholesterol level (one point for each if present) was highest in the sedentary group (1.38, 1.19, 1.19, 0.99 for the sedentary group and the groups who exercised 1, 2, and > or =3 days per week). CONCLUSIONS: Those who engaged in regular physical activity > or =3 days per week appeared to have the fewest coronary risk factors. However, even those engaged in physical activity once per week had fewer CHD risk factors than sedentary individuals.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Nitric oxide donor decreases neutrophil adhesion in both lung and peritoneum during peritonitis.

BACKGROUND: As nitric oxide (NO) is an antiadhesive molecule, exogenous NO may modulate neutrophil adhesion in organs. This study was designed to examine the effects of the NO donor SNAP (S-nitroso-acetyl penicillamine) on neutrophil adhesion at the inflammatory site and in remote organs, in peritonitis using a fluorescent microscopic method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In experiment 1, rats (n = 12) were given saline or 10 micrograms/kg of SNAP intravenously followed by continuous infusion of saline, or of 2, 20, or 200 micrograms/kg/h SNAP until sacrifice. Ten minutes after injection of saline or SNAP, 10(7) Escherichia coli were injected into the peritoneal cavity. Five hours after challenge, 10(6) fluorescein-labeled neutrophils were infused. Peritoneal samples, lungs, liver, and kidney were harvested for counting of labeled neutrophils under epifluorescent microscopy. In experiment 2, rats (n = 25) were treated with saline or 10 micrograms/kg of SNAP intravenously and infused with saline or 20 micrograms/kg/h SNAP; E. coli was injected as in experiment 1. Before or 5 h after challenge, hemodynamic data were obtained. Then, labeled neutrophils were infused for counting of neutrophil numbers in organs. Arterial blood gas data and the circulating neutrophil number were also determined. RESULTS: Experiment 1. Twenty and 200 micrograms/kg/h SNAP infusions tended to reduce labeled neutrophil numbers in lungs, while all three SNAP doses decreased the peritoneal labeled neutrophil numbers. RESULTS: Experiment 2. Five hours after bacterial injection, SNAP infusion simultaneously decreased both pulmonary and peritoneal labeled neutrophil numbers. SNAP had no effect on hemodynamic and blood gas data, or on circulating neutrophil numbers. CONCLUSION: NO donors may be useful for preventing neutrophil-associated lung injury, but should be used with caution in light of the possible adverse effects on host defense in the peritoneal cavity.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Targeting strategy for gene delivery to carcinoembryonic antigen-producing cancer cells by retrovirus displaying a single-chain variable fragment antibody.

Cancer-specific antigens are promising targets for the specific delivery of certain drugs or genes to cancer cells in cancer therapy. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is one of the cancer-associated antigens predominantly detected in the gastrointestinal cancer of the colon and stomach. Targeting strategies for CEA-producing cancer cells have been thoroughly developed mainly by the production of monoclonal antibodies to CEA and further single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies. Here, we have generated Moloney murine leukemia virus-derived retroviral vectors co-displaying an anti-CEA scFv-envelope chimeric protein and an unmodified envelope protein to deliver a gene for herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) or Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase. The harvested viruses successfully incorporated the chimeric envelope protein as well as the unmodified envelope into the viral particles, and specifically bound to and infected human CEA-producing cancer cells via recognition of CEA, depending on the CEA-producing phenotype of the target cells. These results may have significant implications for the use of scFv directed against tumor-specific antigens for targeting specific antigen-producing cancer cells, a potential step toward in vivo cancer therapy.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1998

Quantification and characterization of total cellular p53 protein in colorectal cancer.

Immunochemical methods were developed for the optimal detection and characterization of total cellular p53 protein expression, both in the nuclear-attached and soluble fractions of colorectal cancers, in order to improve the correlation between protein deregulation and gene status. Seventy colorectal carcinomas were studied using 3 monoclonal antibodies in a sensitive analyzing system combining flow cytometry (nuclear-bound fraction) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA; soluble fraction). DNA indices were calculated on the DNA histograms and mutations of the p53 gene were searched for in a subset of 41 cases. Three p53 expression patterns were found: 35 tumors were classified as pattern "A," characterized by high p53 expression including "mutant" conformation and missense mutations of the gene (16/17 cases tested), pattern "B" consisted of 15 tumors with total absence of p53 expression corresponding to nonsense mutations of the gene (8/9 cases tested), and pattern "C" of 20 tumors presenting low or undetectable nuclear-bound p53 but intermediate p53 protein content (pAb (1801+) in the soluble fraction. The latter pattern was associated with wild-type genes (14/15 cases tested), and with tumors that were often localized in the right colon compared to pattern "A" and "B" tumors (45% versus 8%, P < 0.009) and were frequently near-diploid (80% versus 29%, P < 0.0002). No correlation was found between tumor stage and the patterns of p53 expression. The results indicate that both flow cytometry (FCM) and ELISA seem necessary for the proper characterization of the p53 expression pattern, thus achieving a high degree of concordance with molecular analysis of gene mutations.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1998

Small spot sign of rectal carcinoma by endorectal ultrasonography: histologic relation and clinical impact on postoperative recurrence.

PURPOSE: We observed small spots at the margin of rectal carcinomas on endorectal ultrasonography. Our aim was to study the relationship between ultrasonographic evidence of these spots and histologic characteristics of disease and postoperative recurrence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study group comprised 55 patients, 36 men and 19 women, with rectal carcinoma as confirmed by biopsy. The patients were followed up at three-month intervals for six months to three years and six months after the operation. Endorectal ultrasonography was performed in the usual manner. Surgically resected specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and histologically examined. Vessel invasion was graded from 0 (not invasive) to 3 (most invasive). RESULTS: Among the 55 patients studied, 3 had Stage T2,N0,M0 rectal carcinomas and 35 had Stage T3,N0,M0 carcinomas, 5 (14.3 percent) of whom had echographic evidence of small spots. Thirteen patients had Stage T3,N1/2,M0 carcinomas, comprising 12 (92.3 percent) with small spots, and four patients had T3,N1/2,M1 carcinomas, all with small spots. Vessel invasion of Grade 2 or higher was observed around the carcinomas in 20 of 21 patients who had small spots. Ten of 13 patients with many spots at the margin of the carcinoma (a spot grade of ++) histologically had marked venous or lymphatic invasion (an invasion Grade 3). The presence of small spots was closely associated with massive venous or lymphatic invasion (a vessel invasion grade of 2 or more). Four patients had synchronous liver metastases, and small spots were found in all four. Distant metastases and local recurrence were found in 11 of 21 patients with small spots. We found no recurrence in any patient without small spots on endorectal ultrasonography. CONCLUSIONS: Small spots indicate the presence of massive venous or lymphatic invasion and a high risk of postoperative recurrence.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Limitation of endorectal ultrasonography: what does a low lesion more than 5 mm in size correspond to histologically?

PURPOSE: The accuracy of diagnosis of metastatic lymph nodes for rectal carcinoma has not improved. A low echoic lesion more than 5 mm in size detected by endorectal ultrasonography is preoperatively assessed as a metastatic lymph node. What does a low echoic lesion more than 5 mm in size correspond to histologically? METHODS: Forty-seven patients with lower rectal carcinoma (Term I, 1986-1990) and 48 patients with lower rectal carcinoma (Term II, 1991-1995) undergoing endorectal ultrasonography were reviewed. Surgically resected rectal specimens from 40 patients with rectal carcinoma underwent ultrasonography. Low echoic lesions more than 5 mm in size were taken from resected specimens and were stained with hematoxylin, followed by histologic examination. RESULTS: The accuracy of diagnosis of metastatic lymph nodes of Term II was not higher than that of Term I. Twenty-five low echoic lesions were detected by ultrasonography using 40 resected specimens. Seventeen of these 25 lesions (68 percent) were histologically confirmed to be metastatic lymph nodes. One of 25 (4 percent) was found to be lymphadenitis with no metastasis. Among the 25 lesions, 5 (20 percent) were histologically confirmed to be tumor deposits, 2 (8 percent) fatty tissue, and 22 (88 percent) carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Low echoic lesions were histologically confirmed to be tumor deposits (20 percent) and metastatic lymph nodes (68 percent). Although these data show deficiencies and limitations of the accuracy of endorectal ultrasonography, they compare favorably with other series, and no other current technology can show similar accuracy.

Endosonography↗
PubMed1998

Role of p53 and p21/WAF1 detection in patient selection for preoperative radiotherapy in rectal cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies showed that p53 and p21 may play major roles in determining tumor radiosensitivity through the apoptosis pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate the predicting value of radiosensitivity in human rectal carcinoma. METHODS: p53 and p21/WAF1 expressions in formalin fixed, paraffin-embedded, preradiation biopsy samples from 49 patients with primary rectal carcinoma were analyzed immunohistochemically. p53 and p21 expressions and their relationships with histopathologic changes after radiation and other clinical features were evaluated. RESULTS: Expressions of p53 and p21/WAF1 were 49 and 28.6 percent, respectively. In 36.7 percent of total tumors, significant histopathologic effect can be observed. There was a significant inverse expression of p53 and p21. Most of the p53(+) or p21(-) tumors were radioresistant, and the majority of p53(-) or p21(+) tumors were radiosensitive. Tumors size in the radiosensitive, p53(-), or p21(+) group decreased more significantly than in radioresistant, p53(+), or p21(-) group (P < 0.01), and patients with radioresistant, p53(+), or p21(-) tumors had more local recurrence, more distant metastasis, and a shorter five-year survival rate than those with radiosensitive, p53(-), or p21(+) tumors, but without statistic significance. No statistically significant correlation can be observed between other tumor clinical features and radiosensitivity, p53, or p21 expressions. CONCLUSION: Immunohistochemistry detection of p53 and p21 expressions may be useful parameters for more radiosensitive patients selected for preoperative radiotherapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Differential diagnosis of dysplasia-associated lesion or mass and coincidental adenoma in ulcerative colitis.

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to investigate factors that influenced differential diagnosis of dysplasia-associated lesion or mass and coincidental adenoma in patients with ulcerative colitis. METHODS: Among 346 patients with ulcerative colitis who underwent colonoscopy between 1979 and 1995, 27 patients had macroscopic neoplastic lesions and were divided into two groups: those with dysplasia-associated lesion or mass (16 patients) and those with adenoma (11 patients), each being categorized by the presence and absence of dysplasia in the flat mucosa adjacent to the elevated lesions, respectively. RESULTS: Thirteen of 27 patients had dysplasia-associated lesion or mass detected by colonoscopic biopsy; 10 of these patients underwent colectomy, and all had dysplasia-associated lesion or mass in the colectomy specimens. Two patients whose biopsy findings were adenoma had an unsuspected dysplasia-associated lesion or mass in the operative specimens. In the remaining 12 patients, the macroscopic lesions were excised during colonoscopy because of clinical and colonoscopic evidence of adenoma. One of them was proved to have dysplasia-associated lesion or mass, and the other 11 were confirmed as having adenoma in the polypectomy specimens. Patients with dysplasia-associated lesion or mass were significantly younger (P < 0.05), had longer duration of ulcerative colitis (P < 0.01), and had more extensive disease (P < 0.005) than those with adenoma. The colonoscopic appearance was plaque-like in 13, sessile in 13, and pedunculated in 2 of the 28 lesions with dysplasia-associated lesion or mass, whereas it was plaque-like in only 1 and sessile or pedunculated in 15 of the 16 lesions with adenoma (P < 0.001). The mean size of the lesions that were considered to be dysplasia-associated lesions or mass and adenoma was 1.8 and 0.5 cm, respectively (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Colonoscopic biopsy for detection of dysplasia in the flat mucosa adjacent to macroscopic neoplastic lesions is an appropriate preoperative approach to distinguish dysplasia-associated lesions or mass from adenomas in patients with ulcerative colitis. The statistically significant variables that influenced the differential diagnosis were age, duration of disease, extent, tumor size, and tumor colonoscopic appearance.

Adenoma↗