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Biomedical subjects

T Okai

Publications and source records attributed to T Okai.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

The immunohistochemical evaluation of PSP/reg-protein in normal and diseased human pancreatic tissues.

In order to elucidate the characteristics of reg-protein, which is identical to pancreatic stone protein (PSP/reg-protein), and the relationship between the generation and evolution of chronic pancreatitis and the expression of PSP/reg-protein in the pancreas, we investigated the expression of PSP/reg-protein in normal and diseased human pancreatic tissues by immunohistochemistry. The PSP/reg-protein was expressed in all cases with normal pancreas or chronic pancreatitis, and in 70.6% of cases with pancreatic cancer. This protein was present in the cytoplasm of acinar cells and, in some cases, in the intraluminal contents of ductules in nonmalignant tissues. From the view of distribution and cellular localization, PSP/reg-protein was expressed more broadly and densely in chronic pancreatitis with mild to moderate injury than in the normal pancreas. However, the protein was less expressed in severely damaged chronic pancreatitis tissue, such as calcifying pancreatitis, than in the normal pancreas. These findings suggest that mild to moderate injury to pancreatic tissue may stimulate the synthesis of PSP/reg-protein, whereas more severe injury tends to depress it.

Calcium-Binding Proteins↗

Effects of long-term, high-altitude hypoxemia on ovine fetal cardiac output and blood flow distribution.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the effects of long-term hypoxemia on fetal cardiac output and flow distribution. STUDY DESIGN: We exposed six pregnant sheep to high altitude (3820 m) hypoxia from 30 to 135 days' gestation (term 146 days). Ten to 14 days after surgery we determined fetal cardiac output and organ blood flows by means of the radiolabeled microsphere technique during a baseline period and also during an additional 30-minute period of more severe added acute hypoxemia. RESULTS: Baseline maternal arterial PO2 was 60.7 +/- 1.7 torr and fell to 35.1 +/- 3.0 torr during the added acute hypoxemia. Fetal arterial PO2 decreased from 18.5 +/- 1.1 to 11.4 +/- 1.5 torr during added acute hypoxemia. Baseline fetal cardiac output was 351 +/- 55 ml/min/kg, which was significantly lower than previously reported values in low-altitude fetuses. Blood flow to critical organs such as the heart and brain was maintained at levels found in low-altitude fetuses, but flow to the carcass was significantly lower (-49%) than the mean value reported in the literature for low-altitude fetuses. Oxygen delivery was also maintained at normal levels to the brain and heart but was reduced in the kidneys (-31%), gastrointestinal tract (51%), and carcass (-58%). During added acute hypoxemia cardiac output did not change significantly; however, blood flow to the brain, heart, and adrenal glands increased 112%, 135%, and 156% (p < 0.05), respectively. CONCLUSION: We conclude that during long-term hypoxemia redistribution of fetal cardiac output is maintained favoring the brain and heart.

Adrenal Glands↗

Biliary papillomatosis with the point mutation of K-ras gene arising in congenital choledochal cyst.

Biliary papillomatosis is a rare entity. A case of biliary papillomatosis associated with congenital choledochal cyst and intrahepatic gallstones is reported here. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy revealed multiple papillary lesions of the right intrahepatic duct and the common bile duct. Microscopically, the papillary mucosal lesion showed papillary proliferations of bile duct epithelial cells with mild atypia. Furthermore, a point mutation at codon 12 of the K-ras oncogene was found in the papillary lesion. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of biliary papillomatosis arising in congenital choledochal cyst. Although the pathogenesis of biliary papillomatosis in our case was unclear, biliary irritation associated with choledochal cyst may be related to biliary papillomatosis with point mutation at codon 12 of K-ras gene.

Aged↗

Identification of K-ras oncogene mutations in the pure pancreatic juice of patients with ductal pancreatic cancers.

Pancreatic cancer is detected on the basis of morphological changes delineated by means of various image-diagnostic methods. However, differentiation between chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, especially at the early stage, is not always simple when based upon the morphological changes alone. Therefore, we attempted to elucidate K-ras mutations in the sediment of pure pancreatic juice (PPJ) containing exfoliated ductal pancreatic cancer cells. PPJ was collected endoscopically from 20 patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) and 18 patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP). Polymerase chain reaction and allele specific oligonucleotide dot blot hybridization for K-ras mutations were performed with the DNA extracted from these samples. A K-ras mutation at codon 12 was identified in the PPJ of 11/20 (55%) of the patients with PC. On the other hand, the same mutation was not identified in the PPJ of any patient with CP. Moreover, K-ras mutations at codons 13 and 61 were not recognized in the PPJ of any patient with either PC or CP. These findings suggested that the presence of a K-ras mutation at codon 12 in PPJ would be useful in confirming the diagnosis of PC.

Adult↗

Y chromosome analysis and laparoscopic surgery in XY pure gonadal dysgenesis: a case report and a review of literature.

DNA analysis and laparoscopic surgery were performed on a patient with 46, XY pure gonadal dysgenesis. Southern-blot and polymerase chain-reaction analyses revealed that she had no apparent deletion of the Y chromosome, including the SRY gene (sex-determining region Y), suggesting that the patient might have some other abnormality. Since the risk of gonadal neoplasia in XY gonadal dysplasia is high, operative laparoscopy was performed to ensure that there was no malignancy in the patient. Laparoscopic surgery is recommended because of the amount of the surgery and the rapid postoperative recovery of the patient.

Adult↗

Development of an artificial placenta: survival of isolated goat fetuses for three weeks with umbilical arteriovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

The purpose of our study was to examine the feasibility of long-term extrauterine incubation of an isolated premature fetus in artificial amniotic fluid with arteriovenous extracorporeal circulation. Two premature goat fetuses (age 120 and 128 days) were incubated in an isothermal artificial amniotic fluid incubator with arteriovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation via the umbilical vessels. We administered pancuronium bromide to suppress fetal movement and swallowing because movement and swallowing have been implicated in fetal deterioration during extrauterine fetal incubation. The fetuses maintained stable circulatory and respiratory parameters. The total incubation time was 494 and 543 h. The animals were then removed from the incubator and stimulated to initiate lung respiration. With ventilator support, both animals maintained stable blood-gas exchange and survived for more than 1 week. These results clearly indicate that umbilical arteriovenous extracorporeal membrane can effectively support extended extrauterine incubation of an isolated premature fetus.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Rapidly growing mucinous cholangiocarcinoma.

A 65-year-old man was hospitalized due to an abdominal tumor. Several imaging studies showed multilocular tumors in the right hepatic lobe and in the pancreatic head, 4 and 7 cm in size, respectively. The hepatic tumor rapidly grew to 9 cm in 4 weeks, associated with a rapid increase in the serum carcinoembryonic antigen level from 125 ng/ml to 1,000 ng/ml. The pathologic diagnosis of the resected liver tumor was mucinous cholangiocarcinoma. This hepatic tumor produced a large amount of mucin, but did not secrete mucin into the bile ducts. Therefore, there was no obstructive jaundice. The incidentally accompanied pancreatic tumor was a typical serous cystadenoma. The present case suggested that mucinous cholangiocarcinoma could present rapid growth of the tumor. The clinicopathological features of mucinous cholangiocarcinoma are demonstrated for the first time, and the differences between mucinous cholangiocarcinoma and mucin-producing papillary adenocarcinoma of duct-spreading type are discussed.

Adenoma, Bile Duct↗

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis associated with the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone.

A 71-year-old female with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) developed the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) during respiratory failure due to atrophy of the respiratory muscles. Serum sodium concentration fell to 116 mEq/l and then returned to the normal range after water restriction and respiratory care. This is considered to be the first case report of ALS associated with SIADH.

Aged↗

[Development of a fetal breathing movement tracking system using pulsed Doppler ultrasound].

Fetal breathing movements (FBM) form a useful means of monitoring fetal conditions and functional development. To develop a continuous and quantitative FBM monitoring system for clinical use, a non-imaging method using pulsed Doppler was devised. A pulsed Doppler cardiotocograph module was extended to obtain low frequency Doppler signals, by the addition of a 90 degree phase shifter, analog multipliers, quadrature detector, sample and hold circuits and low pass filters, to produce five simultaneous outputs representing movement at depths separated by 1.5cm intervals. These outputs represent the displacement inside tissue at the various depths. Signal processing was executed on a 32-bit computer with an A/D converter. On-line processing by means of a zero-crossing method and off-line arc tangent method with high accuracy displacement estimation were applied for calculation. With this system, FBM was detected as cyclic and regular displacements of a few hundred microns ranging from 0.5 to 1.5Hz. With digital signal processing of 2/3Hz high pass filtering, precise evaluation FBM was possible while rejecting gross movements due to maternal breathing, etc. Although further studies are required for clinical application, it appears that quantitative assessments of FBM should be possible with this technique.

Female↗

[A case report of lupus nephritis associated with minimal change nephrotic syndrome--comparison of various histological types of 67 cases with lupus nephritis].

A 22 year old male of lupus nephritis associated with minimal change nephrotic syndrome was described. The patient was well until 4 years earlier, when Raynaud's phenomenon and photosensitivity developed. One week before admission, edema appeared suddenly and proteinuria was pointed out on July 28, 1990. On admission, his legs, ankles, and eyelids were edematous. There was no sclerodactylia, although Raynaud's phenomenon was positive when his hand disclosed to the cold. Urinalysis showed heavy albuminuria (10.4g/day), but urinary sediment showed no abnormality. Immunological examination showed positive antinuclear antibody, determination at a titer of 1: 160 with a speckled pattern. Anti-RNP and anti-Sm antibody were positive. However, neither anti-DNA antibody nor hypocomplementemia was detected. There was high concentration of serum IgE (2564IU/ml). Renal biopsy was performed. Light microscopic study showed slight increase of mesangial cells and matrix. Immunofluorescence study showed mesangial localization of IgG and C3. Electron microscopic study showed electron dense deposits only in the mesangial area. The diagnosis of lupus nephritis associated with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) was made and administration of PSL was started. Proteinuria disappeared after 3 weeks and nephrotic syndrome remitted completely. The case of lupus nephritis associated with MCNS is very rare. Therefore, the relationship between amounts of proteinuria and various histological types of 67 cases with lupus nephritis which we experienced at our hospital was evaluated. Results showed that nephrotic range proteinuria was not present in mesangial lupus nephritis. So, it was concluded that if heavy albuminuria was found in mesangial lupus nephritis, we should consider the possibility of lupus nephritis associated with MCNS.

Adult↗

[Clinical study of post-term pregnancy].

One hundred fourteen cases of post term pregnancy were clinically analyzed and classified. 1. In case of primipara, the duration of labor was longer and the frequency of prolonged labor (greater than 24 hours) was higher than that of the same number of cases of term delivery at 39 weeks. 2. The main cause of prolonged labor was weak pains. 3. The mean newborn umbilical artery pH in prolonged labor cases was not lower than that in other cases. 4. The cases of post-term pregnancy were classified into 4 groups and compared each other in several respects. Group I: prolonged labor(-), fetal distress(-), vaginal delivery. Group II: prolonged labor(-), fetal distress(+), vaginal delivery. Group III: prolonged labor(-), fetal distress(+), cesarean section. Group IV: prolonged labor(+). 1) The length of the fundus uteri: Group III: minimum after 31 weeks: Group IV: maximum after 35 weeks. 2) The body weight of the newborn and the weight of the placenta: Group III: minimum: Group IV: maximum. 3) The titer of E3 in urine: Group III: obviously low. 4) The frequency of Clifford's sign: Group III: high frequency of meconium staining. Cases of post-term pregnancy were composed of several groups with different clinical features.

Adult↗

[Assessment of ovarian tumors by transvaginal scanning and clinical significance of ultrasonic examination in postoperative follow up].

A hundred and sixty cases of ovarian tumor were preoperatively examined by transvaginal (TV) and Transabdominal (TA) scanning and accuracy of the assessment for histologic type was compared. We also examined 56 cases of postoperative ovarian cancer by ultrasonography to detect recurrent lesions. Positive predictive values for serous cysts and endometrial cysts were higher with TV than TA. Sensitivity for cancer was also high, but false negative rate was lower with TV than TA. The results showed that scatter from small particles and small mural echo in the cystic mass are visualized more clearly with TV, so that TV is more useful for assessing histological type of ovarian tumors. Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonographic examination for detecting intraperitoneal recurrent lesions were 88.2% and 97.4%, respectively. Those for extraperitoneal lesions were 86.7% and 97.6%. Ultrasonography is suggested to be useful for detecting recurrence ovarian cancer especially for experitoneal lesions, as laparoscopy is not effective for such lesions.

Female↗

Tracking of fetal breathing movements by pulsed Doppler ultrasound.

Fetal breathing movements form a useful means of monitoring fetal conditions and functional development. Precise quantitative evaluation of fetal breathing movements requires the development of a continuous automated technique. A preliminary study of Doppler signals due to fetal breathing movements was carried out using a cardiotocograph in which the normal high-pass 'thump' filter had been removed. A pulsed Doppler system was then modified to produce five simultaneous outputs representing movement at depths separated by 1.5-cm intervals. These outputs represent the displacement inside tissue at the various depths. Signal processing was executed on a 32-bit computer with an analog-to-digital converter. On-line processing using a zero-crossing method and an off-line high-accuracy displacement estimation technique using an arc-tangent method were applied. Using computerized signal processing, it was possible to detect movements of a few hundred microns representing fetal breathing movements while rejecting gross movements due to maternal breathing, etc. Although further studies are required before clinical application, it appears that quantitative assessments of fetal breathing movements should be possible with this technique.

Journal Article↗

Liver atrophy after transcatheter arterial embolization and percutaneous ethanol injection therapy for a minute hepatocellular carcinoma.

A 63-year-old male patient with compensated cirrhosis underwent transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) and percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT) for a minute hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although the HCC was successfully treated, esophageal varices worsened and refractory ascites developed 3 months after the TAE and PEIT. Liver atrophy progressed rapidly compared to the natural course of liver cirrhosis.

Atrophy↗

Analysis of gastric carcinoma growth by endoscopic ultrasonography.

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) was performed preoperatively in 82 patients with gastric carcinoma (40 with early and 42 advanced malignancy). Measurements of wall thickness were performed in each case and showed good correlation with histological findings. Wall thickening was found to consist of both tumorous and accompanying ulcerous tissue. Thus, increasing wall thickness, as demonstrated by EUS, may not necessarily mean progressive tumor growth. The EUS features of gastric carcinoma were analyzed and four distinct growth patterns found: predominantly intramural (IM) or intraluminal (IL) growth with preservation (Type 1) or destruction (Type 2) of the submucosal echo-rich layer. All early carcinomas displayed the IL-type growth pattern on EUS (98% IL1-type) and 81% of advanced tumors showed IM-type features. EUS was able to differentiate between early and advanced carcinoma in 98% of cases. The EUS pattern of submucosal destruction (type IM2 or IL2) corresponded to the expanding type tumor according to Ming's histopathological classification. On the other hand, 24 of 26 infiltrative tumors according to Ming were found on EUS to have an intramural growth pattern with preservation of the submucosa (type IM1). It is concluded that EUS is highly sensitive in predicting the tumor growth pattern in gastric carcinoma, providing important additional information to the currently used TNM staging system. Measurements of wall thickness are reliable but differentiation between tumorous growth and peritumorous changes is not possible.

Carcinoma↗

Expression of various sialylated carbohydrate antigens in malignant and nonmalignant pancreatic tissues.

The expression of six sialylated carbohydrate antigens (CA19-9, CA-50, SLEX, SLX, DU-PAN-2, ST-439) was examined in malignant and nonmalignant pancreatic tissues using an immunohistochemical method to elucidate the characteristics of these carbohydrate antigens as tumor markers. All carbohydrate antigens except for sialyl SSEA-1 (SLX, 52.4%) were expressed in more than 80% of the pancreatic cancer. CA19-9 and CA-50, belonging to type I blood group antigens, and DU-PAN-2 and ST-439 were localized predominantly in the cytoplasm of cancer cells, while sialyl Lex (SLEX) and SLX, belonging to type II blood group antigens, were stained mainly on the apical membranes of malignant glands. Although type I antigens were expressed in most nonmalignant pancreatic tissues, the type II antigens and ST-439 were absent in almost all of the normal tissues and faintly expressed in few chronic pancreatitis tissues, suggesting the high tumor specificity of these antigens. Each antigen was expressed on the apical surface of ducts in normal pancreas. However, in about 30% of chronic pancreatitis cases, type I antigens and DU-PAN-2 were observed in the cytoplasm of ductal cells. All patients showing stromal stain, possibly caused by loss of antigen polar expression and shedding into the surrounding stroma adjacent to malignant glands, revealed high levels of serum antigen. This finding suggests that the stromal appearance of antigens is a significant factor in the elevation of serum antigen levels.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗