Biomedical subjects

T Tsukamoto

Publications and source records attributed to T Tsukamoto.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

Frequent expression of new cancer/testis gene D40/AF15q14 in lung cancers of smokers.

We found a significant correlation between lung cancer in smokers and the expression of a human gene, D40, predominantly expressed in testis and cancers. In an attempt to clone a novel human gene, we screened a cDNA library derived from a human B cell line and obtained a cDNA clone that we refer to as D40. A search for public databases for sequence homologies showed that the D40 gene is identical to AF15q14. D40 mRNA is predominantly expressed in normal testis tissue. However, this gene is also expressed in various human tumour cell lines and primary tumours derived from various organs and tissues, such as lung cancer. We examined the relationship between D40 expression and clinico-pathological characteristics of tumours in primary lung cancer. D40 expression did not significantly correlate with either histological type or pathological tumour stage. However, D40 expression was observed more frequently in poorly differentiated tumours than in well or moderately differentiated ones. Furthermore, the incidence of D40 expression was significantly higher in tumours from patients who smoke than in those from non-smokers. D40/AF15q14 is the first gene in the cancer/testis family for which expression is related to the smoking habits of cancer patients.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Inhibitory effect on expression of angiogenic factors by antiangiogenic agents in renal cell carcinoma.

Since it has been widely recognised that renal cell carcinoma is refractory to standard therapies such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, a new modality of treatment is needed. One of the potential alternative therapies for renal cell carcinoma may be inhibition of angiogenesis. In this study, we analysed the inhibitory effects of several potential agents on expression of angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor, which are the main mediators in angiogenesis of renal cell carcinoma. We used medroxyprogesterone acetate, interferon-alpha, interferon-gamma, minocycline hydrochrolide and genistein, which are known to be antiangiogeneic. Northern blot analyses revealed that, among the five agents examined, genistein had a strong inhibitory effect on expression of vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA and basic fibroblast growth factor mRNA. Medroxyprogesterone acetate and interferon-alpha did not significantly decrease the level of either vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA or basic fibroblast growth factor mRNA. Interferon-gamma and minocycline had mild inhibitory effects on vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA and basic fibroblast growth factor mRNA expression. Genistein also inhibited both vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA and basic fibroblast growth factor mRNA expression after treatment with epidermal growth factor and hypoxia. These findings suggest that one of the mechanisms of the inhibition of angiogenesis by genistein is suppression of the expression of the angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor in renal cell carcinoma.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗

PubMed2002

GCPII (NAALADase) inhibition prevents long-term diabetic neuropathy in type 1 diabetic BB/Wor rats.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Hyperglutamatergic activity induced by ischemia is believed to underlie neuronal damage in a variety of neurological disorders, including neuropathic pain. Since ischemia is believed to be a prominent mechanism involved in diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN), we investigated the effect of the glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII, EC #3.4-17.21; previously termed NAALADase), an enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of the neuropeptide NAAG to NAA and glutamate, on the development of DPN in type 1 diabetic BB/Wor rats. METHODS: Diabetic animals were treated with 10 mg/kg/day i.p. of the selective GCPII inhibitor GPI-5232 from onset of diabetes for 6 months. Hyperalgesia to thermal stimulation and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) were measured monthly. The effect on structural DPN was assessed by scoring of single, teased myelinated fibers, myelinated fiber morphometry and ultrastructural examination of C-fibers at 6 months. RESULTS: GCPII inhibition showed significant but partial effects on hyperalgesia (p<0.001), nerve conduction slowing (p<0.01) axonal and nodal structural changes (p<0.001), small myelinated fiber atrophy, and degenerative changes of C-fibers. CONCLUSIONS: GCPII inhibition has beneficial effects on hyperalgesia, nerve function, and structural degenerative changes in DPN, which are likely mediated by inhibition of ischemia-induced glutamate release.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Design and pharmacological activity of phosphinic acid based NAALADase inhibitors.

A novel series of phosphinic acid based inhibitors of the neuropeptidase NAALADase are described in this work. This series of compounds is the most potent series of inhibitors of the enzyme described to date. In addition, we have shown that these compounds are protective in animal models of neurodegeneration. Compound 34 significantly prevented neurodegeneration in a middle cerebral artery occlusion model of cerebral ischemia. In addition, in the chronic constrictive model of neuropathic pain, compound 34 significantly attenuated the hypersensitivity observed with saline-treated animals. These data suggest that NAALADase inhibition may provide a new approach for the treatment of both neurodegenerative disorders and peripheral neuropathies.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Stabilization of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha by the ligand.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) constitutes a subfamily among a large group of ligand-activated transcription factors, the nuclear receptor superfamily. We studied the effects of ligand on the intracellular behaviors of PPARalpha. Although nuclear localization of PPARalpha was not affected by a selective ligand, Wy14643, we observed that exogenously expressed PPARalpha was rapidly degraded in HeLa cells, and the ligand significantly stabilized the protein. The stability of PPARalpha was also improved by coexpression of the heterodimer partner retinoid X receptor (RXR) alpha, and further stabilization was not observed with the ligand. These results indicate that PPARalpha is stabilized through heterodimerization with RXR, and the excess protein unpaired with RXR is rapidly turned over, if not bound by an appropriate ligand. These observations on PPARalpha are in sharp contrast to the ligand-stimulated degradation reported on PPARgamma. The ligand-dependent stabilization would have physiological significance when the synthesis of PPARalpha is elevated exceeding the available level of RXR.

Cell Nucleus↗

PubMed2001

A probasin-large T antigen transgenic mouse line develops prostate adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinoma with metastatic potential.

Neuroendocrine (NE) cells may be involved not only in growth and differentiation of the normal prostate but also in carcinogenesis and progression of prostate adenocarcinoma (Pca), including development of androgen resistance. However, the exact pathophysiology of NE cells in Pca remains poorly understood. Here we describe a transgenic model of Pca with progressive NE differentiation. Seven lines of transgenic mice with the rat prostate-specific large probasin promoter linked to the SV40-large T antigen (Tag) that develop prostatic neoplasia have been established. In this study, one of the seven lines (12T-10) was characterized by examination of 52 mice aged from 2-12 months. With advancing age, low-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, microinvasion, invasive carcinoma, and poorly or undifferentiated carcinoma with NE differentiation appeared in the prostates in sequential order. Whereas Tag is expressed uniformly in prostate epithelium, only an increasing subset of cells in prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia showed NE differentiation by chromogranin immunostaining. Frankly invasive carcinoma developing subsequently showed occasional definitive glandular differentiation (adenocarcinoma) and particularly undifferentiated carcinoma with NE histological features similar to those observed in NE carcinomas in humans. The NE carcinomas occurred in the dorsolateral and ventral lobes and were generally androgen receptor negative. Twenty-one of 32 (66%) mice aged > or = 6 months and 15 of 17 (88%) mice aged > or = 9 months developed metastatic tumors, as confirmed by histology and/or Tag immunohistochemistry. Metastases occurred at the later time points, with metastasis to regional lymph nodes, liver, and lung being particularly common. Metastases showed histological features of NE differentiation, as confirmed by chromogranin immunostaining and electron microscopy. An athymic nude mouse that received a s.c. implant of a primary NE tumor developed Tag-positive metastatic tumors with similar NE differentiation. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry identified identical protein profiles between the primary NE tumor and lesions in the extraprostatic organs. Hence, in the 12T-10 large probasin promoter-Tag mouse, high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia develops progressively greater NE differentiation and progresses to invasive adenocarcinoma and NE carcinoma, with a high percentage of metastases. The predictable progression through these stages will allow testing of therapeutic interventions as well as possible further delineation of the role of NE cells in Pca progression.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2001

Frequent activation of the beta-catenin-Tcf signaling pathway in nonfamilial colorectal carcinomas with microsatellite instability.

It has been reported that wild-type APC protein forms a complex with beta-Catenin and GSK3beta, inducing degradation of beta-Catenin in normal cells. Both beta-Catenin and APC gene mutations have recently been shown to activate the same signaling pathway. Frequent mutations of beta-Catenin in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal carcinomas have also been reported. It was, however, controversial whether the mutation of the beta-Catenin gene was frequent in nonfamilial colorectal carcinomas with high-frequency microsatellite instability (MSI-H). We analyzed the mutations of the APC and beta-Catenin genes in 56 nonfamilial colorectal carcinomas stratified according to the presence or absence of microsatellite instability (MSI). APC mutations were identified in 11 of 22 (50%) cases of MSI-H and 14 of 34 (41%) cases of microsatellite-stable (MSS)/low-frequency microsatellite instability (MSI-L). In contrast, the frequency of beta-Catenin mutations was significantly higher in MSI-H (6/22; 27%) than in MSS/MSI-L (1/34; 3%) (P = 0.01). beta-Catenin mutations were not detected in carcinomas with APC mutation. APC mutation occurred irrespective of MSI status. beta-Catenin mutation, however, occurred frequently in MSI-H carcinomas. Our data suggest that activation of the beta-Catenin-Tcf signaling pathway, through either beta-Catenin or APC mutation, frequently contributes to MSI-H nonfamilial colorectal carcinomas (17/22; 77%).

Cadherins↗

PubMed2001

Expression of Cdx1 and Cdx2 mRNAs and relevance of this expression to differentiation in human gastrointestinal mucosa--with special emphasis on participation in intestinal metaplasia of the human stomach.

BACKGROUND: The caudal-type homeobox genes, Cdx1 and Cdx2, are candidates for directing intestinal development, differentiation, and maintenance of the intestinal phenotype. The aims of this study were: (1) to assess the normal tissue expression patterns of Cdx1 and Cdx2 in the human gastrointestinal tract and (2) to ascertain levels in intestinal metaplasia (IM) of the stomach associated with gastritis. METHODS: Fresh human tissues were collected by surgical resection from 39 patients after informed consent had been received. RNAs were extracted from 11 distinct sites in the gastrointestinal mucosa (gastric body, gastric antrum, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum), and Northern hybridization was performed for Cdr1 and Cdx2 mRNAs. In addition, RNAs were also extracted from normal gastric mucosa, and gastric mucosa with mild to severe IM, confirmed histopathologically. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was then carried out for Cdx1 and Cdx2. RESULTS: The expression of Cdx1 mRNA increased gradually from the duodenum to the distal colon, with no expression detected in the stomach. Compared with the distribution of Cdx1 mRNA in the mouse gastrointestinal tract, the expression of Cdr1 mRNA in the human gastrointestinal tract showed greater predominance in the jejunum and ileum. The expression of Cdx2 mRNA increased gradually from the duodenum to the proximal colon and decreased from the ascending colon to the rectum. Compared with the expression pattern of Cdx2 mRNA in the mouse gastrointestinal tract, the expression of Cdx2 mRNA in the human gastrointestinal tract showed greater predominance in the ileum. By RT-PCR, both Cdx1 and Cdx2 mRNAs were detected in the mild and severe types of IM. However, neither of these mRNAs was identified in normal gastric mucosa without IM. CONCLUSIONS: Cdr1 and Cdx2 mRNAs are widely present in the human intestinal and colonic mucosae, but not in the gastric mucosa, suggesting that their expression may contribute to the intestinal phenotype. The high levels of these mRNAs in IM mucosa associated with chronic atrophic gastritis point to an association with this phenotypic shift in the gastric mucosa.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

The effects of FK506, a specific calcineurin inhibitor, on methamphetamine-induced behavioral change and its sensitization in rats.

RATIONALE: FK506 inhibits calcineurin activity, resulting in the inhibition of calcium-dependent intracellular processes. Recent studies have suggested that intracellular calcium is likely to be involved in methamphetamine (MAP)-induced locomotor activity and stereotyped behavior, and in the development of sensitization to MAP. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effects of FK506 on MAP-induced behavioral changes and the development of sensitization in rats. METHODS: In experiment 1, animals were administered IP 2 mg/kg FK506 or vehicle followed 10 min later by MAP (1, 2, 4 and 8 mg/kg, IP). Another set of animals were administered FK506 (0.1, 2, 5 and 10 mg/kg) followed by 2 mg/kg MAP. Locomotor activity and stereotyped behavior were assessed. In experiment 2, animals received repeated IP injections of 2 mg/kg MAP pretreated with 2 mg/kg FK506 or vehicle for 5 consecutive days. One week later, rats were challenged with 1 mg/kg MAP. RESULTS: Pretreatment with 2 mg/kg FK506 caused a rightward shift of the inverted U-shaped response curve of the locomotor activity induced by 1-8 mg/kg MAP. The same pretreatment significantly attenuated augmentation of the MAP-induced stereotyped behavior. FK506 at doses of 0.1-10 mg/kg dose-dependently inhibited the behavioral response induced by 2 mg/kg MAP. Coadministration of 2 mg/kg FK506 with 2 mg/kg MAP for 5 consecutive days resulted in significant suppression of the behavioral response to challenge with 1 mg/kg MAP. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that calcineurin plays an important role in MAP-induced behavioral changes and sensitization, especially the latter.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Combination chemotherapy with ifosfamide, 5-fluorouracil, etoposide and cisplatin for metastatic urothelial cancer.

PURPOSE: To investigate the activity of combination chemotherapy with ifosfamide, 5-fluorouracil, etoposide and cisplatin in patients with metastatic urothelial cancer. METHODS: A group of 29 patients were treated with 2000 mg/m2 ifosfamide, 750 mg/m2 5-fluorouracil, 100 mg/m2 etoposide and 20 mg/m2 cisplatin. All four drugs were given intravenously on days 1 through 3 and the treatment was repeated every 3 weeks. Of the 29 patients, 14 had lymph node metastasis alone, and 15 had visceral lesions. RESULTS: An objective response was achieved in 17 patients (59%). There was no difference in response rates according to metastatic site including osseous lesions, which responded well in four of six patients. The 3-year survival rate for all patients was 16% with four patients who had undergone salvage surgery being alive with no evidence of disease 15 to 61 months after initiation of the treatment. A good performance status, lymph node metastasis alone and administration of chemotherapy at the full dosage had a significantly favorable impact on patient survival. Bone marrow toxicity was significant and one patient died of treatment-related sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: Ifosfamide, 5-fluorouracil, etoposide and cisplatin combination chemotherapy appeared to be active in the treatment of metastatic urothelial cancer. Although bone marrow toxicity was significant, the treatment was well tolerated by the majority of the patients. Further study may be warranted.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Identification of Paneth cells in pyloric glands associated with gastric and intestinal mixed-type intestinal metaplasia of the human stomach.

We have proposed that intestinal metaplasia (IM) of the human stomach be divided into two types on the basis of cell differentiation status: a gastric and intestinal (GI) mixed type and a solely intestinal (I) type. In the GI mixed type, gastric (foveolar epithelial and pyloric gland cells) and intestinal (goblet, intestinal absorptive, and Paneth cells) phenotype cells coexist in the same intestinalized gastric glands in various combinations and degrees. Consequently, intestinalized gastric glands are hybrids. Although we have described the rare appearance of Paneth-like cells in pyloric glands of GI mixed-type IM, the absence of an appropriate Paneth cell marker leaves room for doubt as to their true character. The purpose of this study was to clearly identify Paneth cells in pyloric glands in IM lesions using a new Paneth cell marker, a polyclonal antibody human defensin (HD)-5, raised against HD-5, which is included in granules of Paneth cells. A total of 105 gastric samples (4 biopsy and 101 surgical resected specimens) were examined. In only nine cases (8.6%), the antibody allowed demonstration of Paneth cells in pyloric glands in GI mixed-type IM, confirming our previous finding. Analysis of the proliferative cell (P) zone indicated that a common stem cell might generate both GI phenotype cells by upward and downward migration. No Paneth cells were found above the P zone. The results suggest that the stem cells show abnormal cell differentiation in IM lesions but preserve their normal direction of migration.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2001

Primary lung cancer occurring concomitantly with the cicatrized and calcified ova of a parasite: report of a case.

We report herein a rare case of primary lung cancer that occurred concomitantly with the calcified ova of a parasite. A 58-year-old man was referred to our department after a pulmonary abnormal shadow had been seen on a chest X-ray done at mass screening. A transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) revealed the calcified ova of a parasite. Because the possibility of concomitant lung cancer could not be ruled out, a lung biopsy was taken via video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). The pathological diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma, and a left upper lobectomy was serially performed through a posterolateral thoracotomy. The patient recovered uneventfully and has remained in good health without any sign of recurrence for over 9 months. Following this case report, we review three other cases of this unusual disease combination documented in the literature.

Calcinosis↗

PubMed2001

Efficacy of a 14-day course of oral ciprofloxacin therapy for acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral antibacterial treatment with fluoroquinilone for acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis Thirteen female patients with acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis were treated with oral fluoroquinilone (ciprofloxacin; CPFX). They received 200 mg of the drug three times a day while febrile (3-5 days). Once they become afebrile, the same dose of the drug, given twice a day, was given for another 9-11 days. The mean duration of the course of CPFX was 14 days. Symptoms were evaluated, and laboratory examinations, including urine culture and measurement of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of CPFX were conducted before treatment, and 3, 7, 14, 21, and/or 28 days after the initiation of the treatment. Of the 13 patients, only 5 needed to be hospitalized, and the period of hospitalization was only a few days. On the 14th day after the commencement of treatment, bacteriologic and clinical cure rates were 100%. Escherichia coli was the most common uropathogen, being isolated from the urine of 8 patients. No clinical relapse of the disease was found during a follow-up period of up to 4 weeks. The patients tolerated the drug well without developing any serious adverse effects. Oral antimicrobial chemotherapy with fluoroquinolone, given on an outpatient or short-term hospitalization basis, achieved satisfactory bacteriological and clinical outcomes in the treatment of acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis. This treatment regimen is indicated for patients with this disease who are not in a serious condition with complications such as shock.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2001

Spermatogonial proliferation and apoptosis in hypospermatogenesis associated with nonobstructive azoospermia.

OBJECTIVE: To provide evidence that a pathological process in spermatogonial proliferation and apoptosis may participate in developing hypospermatogenesis of infertile men. DESIGN: Case-controlled retrospective analysis. SETTING: University-based male infertility clinic. PATIENT(S): Thirty-four patients with idiopathic hypospermatogenesis. INTERVENTION(S): Collecting blood samples for measurement of hormones and performing testicular biopsy for assessment of spermatogenesis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) of spermatogonia and the frequency of apoptosis of spermatogonia demonstrated by the in situ DNA 3'-end-labeling method were investigated to determine the degree of cell degeneration. RESULT(S): We could classify 34 infertile patients into four subgroups according to spermatogonial proliferation and differentiation. No significant difference in the expression of PCNA was demonstrated between these four groups and the control group. In all groups, the balance of spermatogonial proliferation (PCNA-positive rate) to apoptosis was significantly lower than that of the control group. CONCLUSION(S): It was demonstrated that accelerated apoptosis, rather than proliferative dysfunction in the mitotic phase, may induce the decreased number of spermatogonia in hypospermatogenesis. These findings suggest that disorders of the control and regulation of apoptosis may participate in the pathogenesis of idiopathic hypospermatogenesis.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Symptomatic and urodynamic improvement by oral distigmine bromide in poor voiders after transurethral resection of the prostate.

UNLABELLED: OBJECTIVESz: To study the clinical and urodynamic effects of oral distigmine bromide (distigmine) by using pressure-flow studies in patients who were persistently poor voiders after transurethral resection of the prostate. METHODS: The study included 14 poor voiders after transurethral resection of the prostate who were 50 years old or older. Their poor voiding conditions were characterized by a mean International Prostate Symptom Score of 18.9 or a mean quality-of-life index of 4.6 and a mean maximum flow rate of 8.9 mL/s. All patients underwent symptomatic and urodynamic investigations before and after 4 weeks of daily treatment with 15 mg oral distigmine. RESULTS: In the baseline pressure-flow studies, all patients had weak detrusor contractility as demonstrated by Schäfer's diagram and the maximum Watts factor but did not have bladder outlet obstruction. They had symptomatic improvements after oral distigmine treatment, with the International Prostate Symptom Score reduced to a mean of less than 10 and the quality-of-life index reduced to a mean of less than 3. In the urodynamic investigations, the maximum flow rate improved significantly to a mean of more than 12 mL/s in parallel with a significant increase in the maximum Watts factor. Detrusor contractility according to Schäfer's diagram also tended to improve after oral distigmine treatment. However, no significant changes were found in any of the parameters of bladder outlet obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Poor voiders after transurethral resection of the prostate who have weak detrusor contractility without bladder outlet obstruction may benefit clinically from treatment with distigmine because of its efficacy in increasing detrusor contractility without enhancing bladder outlet obstruction.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2001

Risk factors for multiple intravesical recurrences of superficial bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To elucidate the risk factors for a second or third intravesical recurrence in patients with superficial bladder cancer. METHODS: Of 84 consecutive patients newly diagnosed as having superficial bladder cancer in Sapporo Medical University Hospital, 30 patients who had at least one recurrent superficial bladder cancer and were followed up for more than 3 years were included in this study. Multivariate analysis by Cox's proportional hazards model was used to determine which clinical and pathologic variables significantly affected the second and third recurrences. Stepwise regression analysis was used to determine which clinical and pathologic variables significantly affected multiple recurrences of bladder cancer. RESULTS: The 1, 2, and 5-year recurrence-free rates as determined by the Kaplan-Meier method were 66.1%, 43.8%, and 29.8% for a second recurrence and 67.4%, 61.8%, and 39.2% for a third recurrence, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that only the interval between the initial transurethral resection of the bladder cancer and the first recurrence was a significant and independent factor affecting the second recurrence. In the study of the third recurrence, the interval between the first and second recurrences was the only definite risk factor for the third one. When multiple recurrences were considered, stepwise regression analysis revealed that a time of 6 months or less from the initial transurethral resection until the first recurrence was a significant factor that affected the total frequency of bladder cancer recurrence (R(2) = 0.220, P = 0.0078). CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study indicate that patients will have the potential for frequent recurrences if they have the disease with recurrence after a short interval. This result may contribute to the selection of patients with superficial bladder cancer to receive aggressive adjuvant treatments to prevent frequent recurrences.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Staphylococcus aureus bacteriuria and surgical site infections by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Surgical site infection (SSI) remains an important cause of morbidity among hospitalized patients. We reviewed 421 patients who underwent open urological operations between January 1993 and December 1997 in our institute. Group I consisted of 259 patients who received uncontrolled antimicrobial prophylaxis (AMP) between 1993 and 1995. Group II consisted of 162 patients who received controlled AMP between 1996 and 1997. In group II, penicillins or first to second-generation cephalosporins was used and the duration of use for these agents regulated according to the wound class of each operation. The operations with clean wounds showed the lowest rate of SSI in both groups; the operations with contaminated wounds showed the highest rate of SSI (32.0% in group I and 33.3% in group II). There was no significant difference in the total rates of SSI between the two groups (P=0.216). The most frequently isolated bacterial species was methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), isolated in 73.3% of the cases in group I and in 93.3% in group II. There was no significant difference in the incidence of MRSA isolation between the two groups (P=0.114). The controlled AMP could not lower the incidence of MRSA-induced SSIs. In SSI patients, 22.7% of group I and 35.7% in group II, had MRSA bacteriuria before operation. The prohibition of third-generation cephalosporins and shorter duration of AMP did not reduce the incidence of SSI induced by MRSA because MRSA was not the emerging microorganism but rather a resident in the urological ward. On the other hand, the total incidence of SSI did not increase after regulation of AMP. This finding suggests that older antibacterial agents can prevent infection, except those caused by resistant microorganisms such as MRSA. The effective counter-measure for the prevention of MRSA-induced SSI is needed.

Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary↗

PubMed2001

Facial myokymia associated with an isolated lesion of the facial nucleus.

We report on a patient with transient facial myokymia. He had an isolated lesion of the right facial nucleus in the pontine tegmentum. Facial myokymia is a rare symptom and its pathogenesis is not known. Our case had a very localized lesion and we attempted to determine the case of the facial myokymia.

Adult↗