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Biomedical subjects

T Saito

Publications and source records attributed to T Saito.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Extirpation of mass-screened adrenal neuroblastomas by retroperitoneoscopy.

BACKGROUND: A mass-screened neuroblastoma (MSN) shows low-grade malignancy. Although the tumor is small, open laparotomy requires a large incision. PURPOSE: Extirpation by retroperitoneoscopy (ER) was performed in children with MSN to reduce the surgical stress. METHODS: The indications for ER were (1) MSN originating from the adrenal gland and (2) a tumor size of less than 4 cm. Between January 2000 and June 2002, 6 children (mean age: 8.5 +/- 0.6 months) underwent ER. RESULTS: All children successfully underwent ER and no conversion of laparoscopy to open surgery was required. The only complication in one patient was a peritoneal tear. Oral intake was possible in all children the day after the operation. No port site metastasis or local recurrence was observed during follow-up (15 to 29 months). CONCLUSIONS: Adrenal MSN less than 4 cm were successfully extirpated by ER. This method has the advantage of allowing patients an early return to eating and has no risk of postoperative ileus. ER is an available surgical technique for children with MSN less than 4 cm.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed2003

Comparison of the BDProbeTec ET system with the Cobas Amplicor PCR for direct detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in respiratory samples.

In the study presented here, the performance of the BDProbeTec ET system (Becton Dickinson, USA) was compared with the Roche Cobas Amplicor-PCR (Roche, Switzerland) to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTB) in clinical respiratory samples. The Bactec MGIT 960 liquid culture system (Becton Dickinson) was used as a reference method. A total of 411 samples were tested. Of the 93 culture-positive samples, both the BDProbeTec ET system and the Cobas Amplicor-PCR detected 87 (sensitivity, 93.5%). When only smear-negative samples were considered, the BDProbeTec ET exhibited a sensitivity of 50% and the Cobas Amplicor-PCR 60%. Specificity was 99.7% for the BDProbeTec ET system and 100% for the Cobas Amplicor-PCR. Percent agreement between the two nucleic amplification methods was 98.7%. Inhibition occurred in three (0.7%) samples in the BDProbeTec ET system. The high sensitivity and specificity of the BDProbeTec ET system suggest it is a useful method for the rapid and direct detection of MTB in smear-positive respiratory samples.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed2003

The arterial blood supply of the conducting system in normal human hearts.

The distributing artery of the conducting system of the heart is occasionally injured in cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to define the anatomic characteristics of the principal arterial source of the sinu-atrial node and atrioventricular node. Furthermore, the morphology of the tendon of Todaro was clarified. Thirty hearts were studied by gross anatomic methods, and the exact area of the conducting system was supported by histologic observations of four hearts. The sinu-atrial node was supplied by the right coronary artery more frequently (73% of cases) than by the left (3%), and in 23% of cases this node was supplied by both coronary arteries. The atrioventricular node was supplied by the right coronary artery (80% of cases) more than by the left (10%), and in 10% of the cases this node was supplied by both coronary arteries. The atrioventricular bundle branch arose from the right coronary artery in 10% of cases, the left coronary artery in 73%, and both coronary arteries in 17%. Most of the blood to the right bundle (the moderator band) was supplied by the interventricular septal branches of the anterior interventricular branch from the left coronary artery. Finally, all the arteries of the right bundle and left bundle were defined to be derived from left coronary arteries.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Neuronal damage in pericontusional edema zone.

In this study, we investigated the molecular biological and histopathological aspects of the etiological mechanisms for pericontusional edema zone (PEZ). The subjects were 5 patients with traumatic brain injury who underwent surgery to evacuate the resulting hematoma. The average age of the subjects was 52 +/- 27.5 years. The GCS at the time of admission was 5-9. At operation apart from evacuating the hematoma, the PEZ was also excised and then examined histopathologically. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were measured at the time of admission and at 24 and 72 hours. Histological examination revealed large numbers of neutrophils accumulating within blood vessels in the PEZ, with some focal migration. IL-6: CSF levels at the time of admission and at 24, 72, and 72 hours were 550, 4350, and 878000 pg/ml, respectively (median values). IL-8: CSF levels were 715, 804, and 24900 pg/ml, respectively. IL-10: CSF levels were 15, 4, and 5 pg/ml, respectively. High levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were seen from an early stage, and became markedly higher with enlargement of the PEZ. The PEZ is thought to be due to microvascular disturbance by neutrophils stimulated by inflammatory cytokines, and neuronal damage from migrated neutrophils.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

IL-8 is a key mediator of neuroinflammation in severe traumatic brain injuries.

The subjects were 22 patients with severe head injury. The average age was 45 +/- 18.3 years. There were 13 survivors and 9 fatalities. Samples of peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were taken four times, at the time of admission and at 24, 72, and 168 hours later. IL-6: For the survivor group, peripheral blood levels were 181, 105, 37, and 26 pg/ml, respectively (median values). CSF levels were 5376, 3565, 328, and 764 pg/ml, respectively. For the fatality group, peripheral blood levels were 102, 176, 873, and 3059 pg/ml, respectively, whereas CSF levels were 15241, 97384, 548225, and 366500 pg/ml, respectively. IL-8: For the survivor group, peripheral blood levels were 36, 15, 15, and 15 pg/ml, respectively, whereas CSF levels were 23736, 4074, 355, and 1509 pg/ml, respectively. For the fatality group, peripheral blood levels were 21, 28, 43, and 77 pg/mL, respectively, whereas CSF levels were 29003, 8906, 5852, and 8220 pg/ml, respectively. IL-6 and IL-8 levels were significantly higher after 72 hours in the fatality group. The fact that CSF IL-8 was 1000 times that in the peripheral blood at the time of admission, and decreased thereafter, indicates that IL-8 is a key mediator of neuroinflammation.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

The risk factors for the occurrence of acute brain swelling in acute subdural hematoma.

There are many cases of acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) in which acute brain swelling (ABS) occurs intra- or post-operative period and the control of intracranial pressure becomes impossible, resulting in death. Consequently, we investigated the risk factors for ABS in ASDH. Thirteen cases were used for this study. The average age was 53.8 years, and all the subjects were males whose Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was an average of 4.8 when hospitalized. We examined the relationship of blood gas values (pH, PaO2, PaCO2, HCO3-, and base excess) when hospitalized, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) before surgery, and the presence of hypotension during the surgery with ABS. There were no cases, which showed evidence of hypoxia or hypotension when hospitalized or before the surgery. No statistical differences in blood gas values when hospitalized were observed between the 7 cases with ABS and the 6 cases without ABS. However, all of 7 cases with ABS showed MAP > or = 140 mmHg, and 6 cases demonstrated intraoperative hypotension (systolic pressure < 90 mmHg). Conspicuous hypertension before the surgery was shown to be a possible risk factor for ABS. Therefore; MAP > or = 140 mmHg may be a warning sign for the occurrence of ABS.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

A novel method for gene delivery and expression in esophageal epithelium with fibrin glues containing replication-deficient adenovirus vector.

BACKGROUND: Gene transfer to the esophageal epithelium holds the potential for the therapy of malignant as well as premalignant lesions in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Replication-deficient recombinant adenoviruses represent an efficient means of introducing genes in vivo into cells in a variety of organs. The majority of in vivo studies utilize direct submucosal injection for delivery of the viral vectors into the locoregional area of the gut; transferring genes into epithelial cells, however, is difficult because viruses are retained in the subepithelial space. To establish the efficient method for gene transfer into the epithelial cells, we have developed a multiluminal spray catheter that can be passed through the accessory channel of an endoscope, and we have evaluated the feasibility of fibrin glues as a vehicle of recombinant adenoviruses in a porcine model. METHODS: The fibrinogen solution and the thrombion solution containing an E1/E3 deleted recombinant adenovirus expressing the bacterial lacZ gene (Ad-lacZ) were endoscopically sprayed on the porcine esophagus through the catheter attached to the dual-barrel syringe. Twenty-four hours after gene delivery, beta-galactosidase activity of the esophagus was determined under the microscope following X-gal staining. RESULTS: The fibrin glue could be locally sprayed on the porcine esophagus by using the multichannel catheter through the endoscope. Attachment of the fibrin glue comtining Ad-lacZ caused strong beta-galactosidase staining on epithelial cells in the mucosal surface, but not in the basal cell layer. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic local delivery of recombinant adenoviruses in aerosolized fibrin glues through a multiluminal catheter could provide an optimal technique for gene transfer into epithelial cells in the mucosal surfece, which may have important implications for the treatment of human esophageal premalignant diseases.

Adenoviruses, Human↗
PubMed2003

Reduced phosphorylation of cyclic AMP-responsive element binding protein in the postmortem orbitofrontal cortex of patients with major depressive disorder.

In this study, we examined the amounts of cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB) and its phosphorylated form in homogenate preparations from postmortem orbitofrontal cortices of antidepressant drug-free patients with major depressive disorder and age-matched controls by immunoblotting. Immunoreactivies of both CREB and phosphorylated CREB were significantly decreased in depressive subjects compared to controls. The immunoreactivity of phosphorylated CREB was diminished to a greater extent than that of CREB in depressive patients. It has been indicated from animal studies that a transcription factor likely mediates neural plasticity in the mammalian brain and neural tissues. Our results suggest that alterations in the cAMP signaling system, especially in CREB, may be involved in the pathophysiology of depression and be potential targets for antidepressant treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis of the knee: remaining postoperative flexion contracture affecting overall results.

The success rate of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty has been variable, and controversy still surrounds its use. Achieving good functional results from this surgery may require understanding surgical principles, precise operative techniques, and careful patient selection. This paper evaluates clinical results and factors influencing postoperative knee function after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. The follow-up assessment of 109 knees that underwent unicompartmental knee arthroplasty showed that 90 of 109 knees were classified as excellent or good (82.6%) using the Hospital for Special Surgery knee scoring system. In the excellent group (54 knees), 52% of the postoperative, standing femorotibial angles converged on a range of 170 degrees to 175 degrees with a mean of 174 degrees +/- 4 degrees. The knees with residual flexion contracture after surgery showed poorer clinical results. Therefore, complete elimination of the flexion contracture during surgery is considered mandatory.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee↗
PubMed2003

Immune reconstitution following reduced-intensity transplantation with cladribine, busulfan, and antithymocyte globulin: serial comparison with conventional myeloablative transplantation.

The primary object of the conditioning regimen for allogeneic reduced-intensity stem cell transplantation (RIST) is immunosuppression to achieve stable engraftment of donor cells, rather than bone marrow ablation. Therefore, immune reconstitution after RIST might be different from that after conventional stem cell transplantation (CST). In this study, 22 patients underwent RIST and 28 underwent CST. The RIST regimen consisted of cladribine (2-CdA; 0.11 mg/kg/day for 6 days), BU (4 mg/kg/day for 2 days), and rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG; 2.5 mg/kg/day for 2-4 days). The CST group received either the BU (4 mg/kg/day x 4 days)/CY (60 mg/kg/day x 2 days) (n=13) or CY (60 mg/kg/day x 2 days)/TBI (4 Gy/day x 3 days) regimen (n=15). All patients underwent transplantation with G-CSF-mobilized blood stem cells. Engraftment speed after RIST was fast and seven of 22 patients did not require platelet transfusion. We noted that the numbers of CD4+, CD4+CD45RA+, and CD4+CD45RO+ T cells after transplant in the RIST group were significantly lower than those in the CST group (P=0.0001 for both the comparisons). However, the reconstitution of CD20+ B cells was faster in the RIST group (P=0.0001). The response of T cells to PHA stimulation was lower in the RIST group (P=0.0001 on day 30 and P=0.02 on day 90). Nevertheless, there were no significant differences in the incidence of bacterial, fungal, or viral infections between the two groups. We concluded that our RIST regimen might delay laboratory-evaluated T-cell immune reconstitution compared to CST; however, the observed setbacks did not directly translate into clinically significant increases in infectious episodes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

p53 Mutation and MDM2 amplification in inflammatory myofibroblastic tumours.

AIMS: The pathogenic mechanism and predictive indicators of biological behaviour of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour are poorly understood. We investigated molecular abnormalities of p53 and MDM2 in order to assess whether these play an important role in pathogenesis, and whether they also contribute to clinicopathological aggressive phenotype in inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour. METHODS AND RESULTS: We compared the immunohistochemical expression of calponin, h-caldesmon, ALK, and p53 gene mutation and MDM2 gene amplification with clinicopathological findings in 15 cases of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour. Histologically, cellular atypia was observed in five (33.3%) out of 15 cases. Local recurrences were observed in two (14.3%) of 14 informative cases, but no distant metastasis was observed. The expression of calponin (9/14; 64%) but not h-caldesmon (0/14; 0%) was seen, which suggested myofibroblastic differentiation. ALK expression was seen in eight (53.3%) out of 15 cases, particularly in patients under 40 years old. Nuclear expression of p53 protein was recognized in only one (6.7%) of 15 cases, and polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism followed by direct sequencing revealed p53 gene missense mutations in two (13.3%) of 15 cases. Nuclear expression of MDM2 was seen in four (26.7%) of 15 cases, and the MDM2 gene amplification was observed in two of the four cases. CONCLUSION: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour shows a wide spectrum of cellular atypia and biological behaviour with p53 and MDM2 expression. However, the alterations in the p53 pathway seem not to play a major role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Cytotoxicity of bisphenol A glycidyl methacrylate on cytochrome P450-producing cells.

Of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) family of carcinogen-activating enzymes, CYP3A is the major form found in human livers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effects of dental resin monomers after being metabolized by CYP3A4 and CYP3A7, using a colony formation assay and a neutral red assay. Specimen wells were plated with transfected cells derived from the Chinese hamster lung at 100 cells well(-1). The experimental group consisted of CYP-producing 3A4-10 and 3A7-40 cells, while the control group consisted of non-CYP-producing CR-119 cells. Bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol A glycidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA) and a positive control (Aflatoxine Bl) were added separately to each well and cultured for 7 days. After cultivation, the number of the colonies was counted and IC50 values were determined. The data were statistically analysed by a Student's t-test. The resultant of IC50 values indicated that the monomers were not metabolically activated by CYP3A4 or CYP3A7 as compared with the control (P < 0.05). We also confirmed that these monomers act neither as activators nor as inhibitors of CYP3A4 and CYP3A7.

Aflatoxins↗
PubMed2003

The effect of gravity on surface temperatures of plant leaves.

A fundamental study was conducted to develop a facility having an adequate air circulation system for growing healthy plants over a long-term under microgravity conditions in space. To clarify the effects of gravity on heat exchange between plant leaves and the ambient air, surface temperatures of sweet potato and barley leaves and replica leaves made of wet paper and copper were evaluated at gravity levels of 0.01, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 g for 20 s each during parabolic aeroplane flights. Thermal images were captured using infrared thermography at an air temperature of 26 degrees C, a relative humidity of 18% and an irradiance of 260 W m-2. Mean leaf temperatures increased by 0.9-1.0 degrees C with decreasing gravity levels from 1.0 to 0.01 g and decreased by 0.5 degrees C with increasing gravity levels from 1.0 to 2.0 g. The increase in leaf temperatures was at most 1.9 degrees C for sweet potato leaves over 20 s as gravity decreased from 1.0 to 0.01 g. The boundary layer conductance to sensible heat exchange decreased by 5% when the gravity decreased from 1.0 to 0.01 g at the air velocity of 0.2 m s-1. The decrease in the boundary layer conductance with decrease in the gravity levels was more significant in a lower air velocity. Heat exchange between leaves and the ambient air was more retarded at lower gravity levels because of less sensible and latent heat transfers with less heat convection.

Air Conditioning↗
PubMed2003

Biodegradation of microcystis and microcystins by indigenous nanoflagellates on biofilm in a practical treatment facility.

The potential for degradation of Microcystis and microcystins by organisms in biofilm in a practical biological treatment facility combined with conventional treatment processes was examined. Viable cells of Microcystis viridis, which produced microcystin LR, RR and YR, were degraded in 6 to 10 days by the addition of biofilm collected in early summer, mid-summer and autumn. Monas sp. grew remarkably well compared with other organisms in the samples of all seasons. Therefore, we conclude that Monas sp. was indigenous animals in the biological treatment facility and was able to degrade Microcystis cells. Some previous studies reported the predation of Microcystis cells by Monas guttula in pure culture conditions (monoxenic culture). We clarified that Monas sp. can grow and prey on Microcystis cells even in mixed culture including many kinds of other organisms in biofilm in a practical treatment facility. Also, intracellular microcystin LR, RR and YR in Microcystis cells could be degraded simultaneously with high reduction of Microcystis cells by organisms in biofilm.

Bacterial Toxins↗