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Taiji Tsukamoto

Publications and source records attributed to Taiji Tsukamoto.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

[Questionnaire survey on the theory of antimicrobial prophylaxis in urologic surgery].

In order to establish an acceptable guideline for prevention of perioperative infection following urologic surgery, a questionnaire survey on the theory of antimicrobial prophylaxis (AMP) was conducted among urologists in Japan in February 2004. A reply was obtained from 149 urologists working for institutes located all over Japan from Hokkaido to Kyushu areas. Ninety-two percent of the urologists agreed that AMP should be administered 30 min before an incision, and 44% replied that an additional dose of AMP is required in the case of prolonged intervention. Penicillins or the 1st or 2nd generation cephems were used by 89 to 93% of the urologists in operations not including bowel segments, while 78% preferred such AMP agents in the procedures including bowel segments. AMP was terminated within 3 days in 87% for genital operations, in 70 to 76% for laparoscopic operations, in 54 to 65% for other clean or clean-contaminated operations, and in 24% for operations without the bowel segments. Especially, 58% of the urologists continued AMP for more than 5 days after operations with urinary diversion using the intestine. When compared with the previous questionnaire survey by Shinagawa et al, our survey demonstrated that standard consensus of AMP has spread widely among urologists in Japan, although the recommendations published in Europe and United States are still controversial in Japan. Thus, further well-designed clinical trials are required to establish original guidelines in Japan.

Ampicillin↗

Cavernous nerve injury elicits GAP-43 mRNA expression but not regeneration of injured pelvic ganglion neurons.

Recovery of erectile dysfunction after cavernous nerve injury takes a long period. To elucidate this mechanism, unilateral cavernous nerve of male rat was cut, and the expression level of a nerve regeneration marker, the growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43) mRNA was evaluated by in situ hybridization and RT-PCR. While GAP-43 mRNA expression was transiently increased in the injured neurons of the major pelvic ganglion (MPG) at 7 days after nerve injury, continuous increase of GAP-43 mRNA was observed in the contralateral MPG from 7 days to 6 months after the nerve injury. Histochemical double-labeling studies for either neuronal NOS (nNOS) or tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and the GAP-43 mRNA expression demonstrated that in injured MPG the transient up-regulation of GAP-43 mRNA was mainly seen in nNOS negative and/or TH positive neurons, suggesting non-parasympathetic post-ganglionic neurons, and also demonstrated that in contralateral MPG GAP-43 mRNA positive neurons were gradually increased in nNOS positive but TH negative neurons, suggesting parasympathetic post-ganglionic neurons. When a retrograde tracer Fluorogold (FG) was injected into the penile crus 7 days before histological experiments, FG-positive neurons were, if any, hardly seen in nNOS-positive neurons of the injured MPG for at least 6 months, whereas numerous FG-positive cells were seen in nNOS-positive neurons of the contralateral MPG. These results suggest that post-ganglionic projecting neurons of the intact side, which express increased GAP-43 mRNA, would be most likely to contribute to the recovery of the erectile function after unilateral cavernous nerve injury possibly by a plastic change such as nerve sprouting.

Animals↗

Efficacy of an RNA detection test kit in the diagnosis of genital chlamydial infection.

A nucleic acid amplification method based on DNA detection, the current standard method for the diagnosis of genital infection by Chlamydia trachomatis, has been shown to potentially yield false-positive results after treatment in the clinical setting. RNA detection methods are more appropriate because viable organisms have multiple RNA copies that are surely detected by the method. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of a new RNA detection test kit, the VIDAS PROBE CT test, in the diagnosis of genital chlamydial infection. For comparison, the standard DNA detection method, Amplicor STD-I, was also used in the study. First voided-urine samples and urethral smears from male patients with urethritis, and first voided-urine samples and cervical smears from female patients with cervicitis served as samples for the detection of C. trachomatis. Of the 60 first voided-urine samples from male patients, 21 were positive and 39 negative with the VIDAS PROBE CT test. Amplicor STD-I achieved exactly the same result. In female patients with cervicitis, the two test kits produced the same result, with 2 positive cervical smears and 38 negative. These results suggest that the VIDAS PROBE CT test is as efficient as Amplicor STD-I in the detection of C. trachomatis. While studies including a greater number of patients will be needed for revealing the unique advantages of the new RNA detection test kit, VIDAS PROBE CT, we concluded from the current study that the test may be clinically useful in the diagnosis of genital chlamydial infection.

Chlamydia Infections↗

Direct evidence of facilitative actions of dopamine in the medial preoptic area on reflexive and noncontact erections in male rats.

PURPOSE: We examined the effects of alterations of the extracellular dopamine level in the medial preoptic area on 2 erectile contexts, namely reflexive and noncontact erections, in male rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The extracellular dopamine level was measured in the medial preoptic area after administering the dopamine reuptake inhibitor bupropion hydrochloride (Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, Missouri) into the same area through a micro-dialysis tube. We measured the frequency and latency of reflexive erections, and the frequency of noncontact erection during infusion of bupropion. RESULTS: Administration of 10 mM. bupropion was associated with significant elevation in the extracellular dopamine level in the medial preoptic area. Bupropion (1 mM.) and Ringer's solution did not induce significant alterations in dopamine in the medial preoptic area. The number of reflexive erections significantly increased and erection latency decreased during infusion of 10 mM. bupropion into the medial preoptic area. The number of noncontact erections was also increased by administering 10 mM. of drug. CONCLUSIONS: The altered dopamine level in the medial preoptic area affected 2 distinct penile erectile contexts, suggesting that the dopamine levels in the medial preoptic area may be involved in the regulation of erection. These results may have important implications for the central regulation of penile erection.

Animals↗

Natural history of lower urinary tract symptoms in men--result of a longitudinal community-based study in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the longitudinal changes in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), bother score, and quality-of-life index in a community-based study in Japan. Of 289 men between 40 and 79 years of age who were analyzed in the first community-based study, 223 (77.2%) participated in a follow-up study conducted 3 years later. The IPSS, bother score, and quality-of-life index, as well as medical histories and current medication use, were evaluated. RESULTS: Neither the average IPSS, bother score, nor quality-of-life index significantly changed after 3 years in any age decade. However, changes in the IPSS varied among individuals, because 32%, 35%, and 33% of the men reported improved, stable, and worsened IPSS, respectively. Transurethral resection of the prostate was performed on 0%, 4%, and 21% of the men in the mild (0 to 7), moderate (8 to 19), and severe (20 to 35) IPSS categories, respectively. Neither prostate volume nor peak urinary flow rate significantly predicted progression of the IPSS after 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: Although no definite general symptomatic progression was observed in the participants during 3 years, changes in subjective urinary symptoms varied among individuals ranging from improvement to worsening. The men with a more severe IPSS had a greater chance of transurethral resection of the prostate within 3 years.

Adult↗

Lower urinary tract symptoms of men seeking medical care--comparison of symptoms found in the clinical setting and in a community study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate which lower urinary tract symptoms were most influential in causing men to seek medical care. METHODS: We evaluated the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality-of-life (QOL) score of 235 outpatients having lower urinary tract symptoms and 242 participants in a community-based study of Japanese men aged 50 to 79 years old. RESULTS: Although the proportion of outpatients in the severe IPSS category (IPSS 20 to 35) was greater than that in the participants of the community-based study in each age decade, the proportion in the moderate IPSS category (IPSS 8 to 19) in both groups overlapped each other. On the other hand, the distribution of QOL scores was considerably different, with only a small portion of overlap in each age decade. Although scores for both voiding symptoms (incomplete emptying, intermittency, weak stream, and hesitancy) and storage symptoms (increased frequency, urgency, and nocturia) were significantly greater in outpatients than in study participants in each age decade, the difference was more obvious for voiding symptoms than for storage symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The QOL score appeared to show more pronounced differences between men in a clinic setting and those in a community setting than the IPSS category. Voiding symptoms may affect medical care-seeking behavior through QOL impairment in Japanese men.

Age Distribution↗

Cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis and growth rate of incidentally found renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Our previous study showed that the growth rate of incidentally found renal cell carcinoma (RCC) varied, and that the initial clinical and pathological features did not predict subsequent growth of the carcinoma. The objective of this study was to determine the relationships between cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis and the growth rates of these RCC. METHODS: We examined cell proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis in 16 incidentally found cases of RCC. Cell proliferation was assessed by immunohistochemical staining with a Ki-67 antibody. Apoptosis was assessed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) mediated deoxy-UTP biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique. The Ki-67 labeling index (KI) and the apoptotic index (AI) were determined as the ratio of immunohistochemically positive cells per 1000 cancer cells. The KI/AI ratio was also determined. Angiogenesis was evaluated by CD34 immunostaining. Finally, we investigated the correlation between these parameters and the growth rate of primary lesions of incidentally found RCC. RESULTS: The KI ranged from 7 to 73 (median, 20), AI ranged from 6 to 171 (median, 26), and microvessel density (MVD) ranged from 21 to 673 (median, 265) for incidentally found RCC. Ki-67 labeling index, AI and MVD were not closely correlated to each other. Furthermore, these parameters were not associated with growth rates of incidentally found RCC. Only the KI/AI ratio was strongly correlated to the growth rate of incidentally found RCC (r = 0.709; P = 0.0083). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis partly determines the growth rate of primary lesions of incidentally found RCC.

Adult↗

Questionnaire survey of Japanese urologists concerning the diagnosis and treatment of chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: We performed a questionnaire survey to investigate various issues in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome by Japanese urologists and to clarify the circumstances surrounding prostatitis in Japan. METHODS: Japanese urologists (n = 1869) were surveyed by mail using a 17-item questionnaire to determine current diagnostic and treatment practices for prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. RESULTS: Only 1.5% (11/739) of urologists diagnosed chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome using the 4-glass test, while most did so using the 2-glass test (voided bladder [VB]2 and VB3, or VB2 and expressed prostatic secretion [EPS]). Approximately half (55.2%; 412/746) did not perform urine cultures to differentiate chronic bacterial prostatitis from chronic abacterial prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Approximately half (46%; 343/746) did not count the number of leukocytes in VB2 or VB3/EPS to differentiate chronic abacterial prostatitis from chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Although many urologists (63.8%; 459/720) thought that chronic abacterial prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome was not an infectious disease, many chose antimicrobial agents as the primary treatment. More than half (52.2%; 384/735) of all urologists felt pessimistic about dealing with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome compared to treating benign prostatic hypertrophy or prostate cancer, because of the high number of complaints by patients and their own lack of confidence in diagnosing and treating the condition. CONCLUSION: There is much confusion and frustration among Japanese urologists about chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Further studies are needed to elucidate its etiology and pathogenesis, and to establish guidelines for its diagnosis and treatment.

Chronic Disease↗

External beam radiation monotherapy for localized or locally advanced prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: We report the treatment results and complications of external beam radiation monotherapy for localized or locally advanced prostate cancer patients. METHODS: Fifty-four patients with T(1b-3a)N(0)(pN(0))M(0) prostate cancer were treated with external beam radiation monotherapy between 1989 and 2001 at four institutes. RESULTS: During the 4-122 month follow-up period (median: 25 months), 11 (20%) patients experienced biochemical failure, including one with simultaneous local recurrence. The 2-year actuarial biochemical control rate was 85%. Univariate analysis showed that the clinical T classification (P = 0.01), Gleason score (P = 0.006), pretreatment PSA (P = 0.02) and PSA nadir value (P = 0.01) were associated with a higher probability of biochemical failure. Multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated that only the PSA nadir value was a strong predictor of PSA recurrence (P < 0.01). Adverse events were mild and tolerable. No severe urinary or bowel complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: External beam radiation monotherapy is effective for clinically organ-confined prostate cancer with a low incidence of severe complications in a mean follow-up period of 2 years.

Adult↗

Detection of human papillomavirus DNA on the external genitalia of healthy men and male patients with urethritis.

BACKGROUND: Only a few studies have been done involving detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA on the external genitalia of men without genital warts, although many have been done for women. We conducted HPV DNA detection among healthy male volunteers and men with urethritis, both having no visible lesions on their external genitalia. GOAL: The goal of the study was to determine the detection rate of HPV DNA in volunteers and patients with urethritis and to determine risk factor(s) for positive DNA. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective clinical study. RESULTS: HPV DNA was found in 1.3% of 75 volunteers and in 18.5% of 130 patients with urethritis. DNA of a high-intermediate oncogenic risk was more predominant than the low-risk type. Among various risk factors, only a history of STD was a significant factor for the positive detection of HPV DNA in multiple regression analysis. CONCLUSION: HPV DNA was found in patients with urethritis more frequently than in volunteers, probably because the former had higher sexual activity.

Adolescent↗

[Evaluation of psychometric properties of Japanese version of international prostate symptom score and BPH impact index].

PURPOSE: To evaluate psychometric properties of the Japanese version of International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and BPH Impact Index (BII). METHODS: The translated IPSS and BII questionnaires were administered to 103 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and 23 asymptomatic men. In 82 patients the questionnaires were repeated 2 weeks later to examine reproducibility. Further 2 weeks later 21 out of 82 patients responded to the questionnaires asking symptoms during the last week rather than during the last month. To evaluated responsiveness the questionnaires were repeated after treatment in 22 patients. Internal consistency, construct validity and criterion validity were examined by proper statistic methods. RESULTS: Reproducibility was good to excellent with weighted kappa more than 0.62 for all items. It was not significantly affected by age, symptom severity, institution type, or whether the patients were asked symptoms during the last week or during the last month. Internal consistency was also good with Cronbach's alpha more than 0.83. Principle component analysis identified 2 components in IPSS and a single component in BII, with all the items contributing to the first component. Most items had significant correlation with external criteria including maximum flow rate, residual urine volume or prostate volume. The scores of patients were clearly larger than asymptomatic men and obviously reduced after receiving therapies. CONCLUSION: Japanese translations of IPSS and BII were shown to be reliable, valid and one-dimensional instruments in the Japanese patients. They would be equivalent to the original English questionnaires.

Aged↗

The 2nd conference on Asian trends in prostate cancer hormone therapy.

Among the aims of the 2nd Conference on Asian Trends in Prostate Cancer Hormone Therapy, Hong Kong, December 7-8, 2002, was to lay the groundwork for eventually having cooperative or collaborative studies of prostate cancer specifically in Asian patients. The conference was divided into 2 sessions. In the first session, entitled "Current Status of Therapy for Prostate Cancer in Asian Countries," the results of analysis of 100 patients with prostate cancer enrolled in the Patients Registration System is each of the 6 participating Asian countries were discussed. The Patients Registration System is a database template established by the Japanese Urological Association that allows physicians to compare prostate cancer therapy in the different Asian countries. Session 2 was devoted to a "Roundtable Discussion on the Establishment of Asian Guidelines for Prostate Cancer." This session included 2 lively discussions, on whether Asian physicians can apply Western clinical data to Asian patients, and the need for Asian clinical data and developing clinical trials in the region, respectively.

Androgen Antagonists↗

[Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (2001). I. Susceptibility distribution].

The bacterial strains isolated from patients diagnosed as having urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 10 institutions in Japan were supplied between the period of September and December 2001. Then, the susceptibilities of them to a variety of antimicrobial agents were investigated. The number of them were 496 strains. The breakdown of these strains was Gram-positive bacteria as 29.6% and Gram-negative bacteria as 70.4%. Susceptibilities of these bacteria to antimicrobial agents were as follows; against Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin (VCM) showed a strong activity, and this drug also had a strong activity against MRSA in preventing growth of all strains at 1 microgram/mL. In addition, arbekacin (ABK) showed strong activity with the MIC90 of 2 micrograms/mL against MRSA and prevented growth of all strains at 4 micrograms/mL. ABK also showed a strong activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis in preventing growth of all strains at 0.5 microgram/mL. Ampicillin (ABPC) and cefozopran (CZOP) showed a relatively strong activity against S. epidermidis (MIC90: 8 micrograms/mL). ABPC, imipenem (IPM), and VCM showed strong activities against Enterococcus faecalis. No increase of low-susceptible strains in E. faecalis was observed against these antimicrobial agents. Against Escherichia coli, carbapenems showed the highest activities: meropenem (MEPM) prevented growth of all strains at 0.25 microgram/mL; IPM prevented growth of all strains at 0.5 microgram/mL. CZOP and cefotiam (CTM) also showed strong activities against E. coli: MIC90 of CZOP was within 0.125 microgram/mL; MIC90 of CTM was within 0.5 microgram/mL. Quinolone-resistant E. coli was detected at frequency of 9.3%, which was lower than that in the last year, and was higher level than those in up to 1999. MEPM showed the strongest activity against Citrobacter freundii in preventing growth of all strains at 0.125 microgram/mL. Almost all drugs showed strong activities against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis, and MEPM prevented growth of all strains within 0.125 microgram/mL. Against Serratia marcescens, the MIC90 of gentamicin (GM) was the lowest value being 2 micrograms/mL, and those of IPM and carumonam were 8 and 16 micrograms/mL, respectively. Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, almost all drugs were not so active. The MIC90 of GM was 8 micrograms/mL, those of IPM and amikacin were 16 micrograms/mL, and those of all other drugs were over than 32 micrograms/mL.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

[Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (2001). II. Background of patients].

Five-hundred thirty one bacterial strains isolated from 412 patients diagnosed as having urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 10 institutions in Japan were supplied between September and December 2001. Then, the clinical background of patients were investigated such as sex, age, and type of infections, infections and kind of bacteria, frequency of bacteria isolation by age and infections, bacteria and infections by timing of antibiotics administration, and bacteria and infections by surgical procedures. With regard to the relationship between age and sex of patients and type of infections, the number of cases aged lower than 50 years was few and complicated UTIs without indwelling catheter was the most frequent in male patients. In females, the number of patients aged lower than 20 years was few. Most of female patients aged lower than 80 years had uncomplicated UTIs. As for the relationship between type of infections and kind of bacteria, Escherichia coli decreased as the infections were more complicated, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis increased as the infections were more complicated. In relation of these results to age of patients, isolation frequency of E. coli gradually decreased with aging in patients aged 20 years and older with uncomplicated UTIs. The isolation frequencies of E. faecalis decreased with aging in the patients with complicated UTIs without indwelling catheter while P. aeruginosa decreased with aging in the patients with complicated UTIs with indwelling catheter. E. coli was isolated a few after administration of antibiotics, and P. aeruginosa and E. faecalis were frequently isolated after administration in the patients with all types of infections. As for type of causative organisms in UTIs and with or without surgical operation, E. coli was frequently isolated in the patients without surgery in the patients with uncomplicated UTIs and complicated UTIs without indwelling catheter, while P. aeruginosa was frequently isolated in the patients who underwent surgery in the patients with uncomplicated UTIs and complicated UTIs with indwelling catheter. In uncomplicated UTIs, isolation frequencies of Klebsiella spp., P. aeruginosa, and E. faecalis were significant in the patients with surgery. In complicated UTIs without indwelling catheter, Klebsiella spp. was frequently isolated in the patients with surgery. In complicated UTIs with indwelling catheter, S. aureus and Staphylococcus spp. were frequently isolated in the patients without surgery.

Adolescent↗

[Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (2001). III. Secular changes in susceptibility].

The bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) isolated from patients diagnosed as urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 10 institutions in Japan were supplied between September and December, 2001. Then, the susceptibilities of these bacteria to various antimicrobial agents were examined, and the results were compared with those obtained between 1992 and 2000. Comparison was made by classifying strains isolated from patients into those in uncomplicated UTIs and those in complicated UTIs (including with or without indwelling catheter). The drug sensitivity of S. aureus in this year was comparable to those in up to the previous year, and S. aureus showed the best susceptibility to vancomycin (VCM). E. faecalis showed good susceptibility to ampicillin and imipenem, and the MIC90s were 2 micrograms/mL. The susceptibility of E. faecalis to VCM was also good. E. coli showed good susceptibility to the drugs except penicillins. Among cephems, the susceptibility to cefozopran (CZOP) was better (MIC90: < or = 0.125 microgram/mL). Just as the last report, the decreases in susceptibility of E. coli to quinolones were also observed in the patients with complicated UTIs. The susceptibility of Klebsiella spp. to all the test drugs did not significantly change in 2001 and was generally good but not to penicillins. Among cephems, Klebsiella spp. showed good susceptibility to flomoxef, cefpirome, cefixime, and CZOP with < or = 0.125 microgram/mL of MIC90s either in uncomplicated or complicated UTIs. Although the drug sensitivity of P. aeruginosa was generally low, the detection of the strains that showed good susceptibility to quinolones and carbapenems (MIC: < or = 0.125-2 micrograms/mL) were relatively frequent.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

[Clinical aspects of partial androgen deficiency of aging male (PADAM)].

PADAM (partial androgen deficiency of aging male) is a biochemical syndrome associated with a deficiency in serum androgen levels. PADAM is characterized by diminished sexual function, decrease in spatial orientation ability, lean body mass and bone mineral density and increase in visceral fat. The measurement of serum total and/or free testosterone is acceptable to evaluate serum androgen levels. During androgen replacement treatment, several adverse effects including prostate safety, liver function, polycythemia and sleep apnea should be periodically monitored.

English Abstract↗

Individual variations in aging of the male urethral rhabdosphincter in Japanese.

Although the degenerative changes with aging of the male urethral rhabdosphincter (URS) have been investigated, its individual morphological variations are still unclear. To provide an anatomical basis for clinical evaluation of the individual URS function in the aged, we investigated the structural differences in the URS of 25 elderly Japanese men using semiserial sections stained immunohistochemically and by hematoxylin-eosin. Before removal of the histological specimens, we dissected the ischioanal fossa and labeled several structures by carbon particles to allow proper orientation during the histological observations. In addition, macroscopic slices (10 mm thickness) made from five other male pelves were examined and, when necessary, followed by routine histological procedure to confirm the gross observations. An extended circular URS (over (1/2) circumferential configuration) was found in 15/25 cadavers, but showed very limited height (proximal-distal length) and thickness. A more restricted URS, including even a thin, arc-like pattern, was observed in the remaining cadavers. The attachment of the URS to the smooth muscle layer was loose and usually clearly separated. Continuation between the URS and deep transverse perineal muscle was sometimes observed. The thick fascia of the levetor ani, with high content of smooth muscles, usually provided the lateral or dorsal insertions of the URS. Our results in elderly Japanese subjects suggest that the sphincteric action is weak or incomplete. We suggest that the elderly URS maintains continence by retracting the urethra backward and upward with the aid of the levator sling, rather than the real sphincteric action expected in younger men.

Aged↗