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Y Sekine

Publications and source records attributed to Y Sekine.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Nine- or fewer repeat alleles in VNTR polymorphism of the dopamine transporter gene is a strong risk factor for prolonged methamphetamine psychosis.

Susceptibility to drug dependence and drug-induced psychoses is influenced not only by the pharmacological effects of the drug but also by the genetic factors of the individual. To clarify the latter, we investigated the association between methamphetamine (METH) dependence/psychosis and the hDAT1 gene (SLC6A3) encoding the dopamine transporter, which is the primary site of METH activity in the brain. Four exonic polymorphisms of the hDAT1 gene, 242C/T (exon 2), 1342A/G (exon 9), 2319G/A (3'UTR), and VNTR (3'UTR) were examined. Although there was no significant difference in genotypic and allelic distribution of the four polymorphisms between all METH dependence/psychosis patients (N=124) and controls (N=160), the patients with METH psychosis lasting for 1 month or more after discontinuance of METH consumption showed a significant excess of nine- or fewer repeat alleles of the VNTR in 3'UTR of the hDAT1 gene (P=0.0054, OR=4.24, 95% CI=2.46-7.31). The present study demonstrated that the presence of nine- or fewer repeat alleles of hDAT1 is a strong risk factor for a worse prognosis of METH psychosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Successful en-bloc resection of large superficial tumors in the stomach and colon using sodium hyaluronate and small-caliber-tip transparent hood.

En-bloc resection is desirable for accurate histopathological assessment of tissue specimens obtained using endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). A new EMR method using sodium hyaluronate and a small-caliber-tip transparent hood has been developed. This is a peeling-off method using a needle-knife for mucosal and submucosal incisions. Long-lasting submucosal thickening resulting from an injection of sodium hyaluronate, and good visualization of the submucosal tissue with the aid of a small-caliber-tip transparent hood, make the cutting procedures easy and safe. A large superficial gastric cancer and a large villous tumor of the sigmoid colon were endoscopically resected using this method. En-bloc endoscopic resection was successful in both patients. The gastric lesion was an well-differentiated intramucosal adenocarcinoma, completely resected in a specimen measuring 97 x 50 mm. The colonic lesion was an intramucosal well-differentiated adenocarcinoma in adenoma, completely resected in a specimen measuring 70 x 55 mm in diameter. No significant complications were noted in either patient. The new method of EMR using sodium hyaluronate and the small-caliber-tip transparent hood is a promising method for endoscopic en-bloc resection of large superficial neoplastic lesions, both in the stomach and the colon.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2003

High magnification bronchovideoscopy combined with narrow band imaging could detect capillary loops of angiogenic squamous dysplasia in heavy smokers at high risk for lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the use of high magnification bronchovideoscopy combined with narrow band imaging (NBI) for the detailed examination of angiogenic squamous dysplasia (ASD). This was carried out in relation to bronchial vascular patterns with abnormal mucosal fluorescence in heavy smokers at high risk for lung cancer. METHODS: Forty eight patients with sputum cytology specimens suspicious or positive for malignancy were entered into the study. Conventional white light and fluorescence bronchoscopic examination was first performed. Observations by high magnification bronchovideoscopy with conventional white light were made primarily at sites of abnormal fluorescence, and then repeated with NBI light to examine microvascular networks in the bronchial mucosa. Spectral features on the RGB (Red/Green/Blue) sequential videoscope system were changed from the conventional RGB broadband filter to the new NBI filter. The wavelength ranges of the new NBI filter were B1: 400-430 nm, B2: 420-470 nm, and G: 560-590 nm. ASD tissues were also examined using a confocal laser scanning microscope equipped with argon-krypton (488 nm) and argon (514 nm) laser sources. RESULTS: The microvessels, vascular networks of various grades, and dotted vessels in ASD tissues were clearly observed in NBI-B1 images. Diameters of the dotted vessels visible on NBI-B1 images agreed with the diameters of ASD capillary blood vessels diagnosed by pathological examination. Capillary blood vessels were also clearly visualised by green fluorescence by confocal laser scanning microscopy. There was a significant association between the frequency of dotted vessels by NBI-B1 imaging and tissues confirmed as ASD pathologically (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: High magnification bronchovideoscopy combined with NBI was useful in the detection of capillary blood vessels in ASD lesions at sites of abnormal fluorescence. This may enable the discrimination between ASD and another pre-invasive bronchial lesion.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[New surgical approach "intrapulmonary septation technic" for Fontan candidates with unilateral pulmonary arterial hypoplasia and/or pulmonary venous obstruction].

Unilateral pulmonary arterial hypoplasia and/or pulmonary venous obstruction are serious hazards for Fontan candidates. For these patients, we have started new surgical approach "intrapulmonary septation technic". This consists of 3 components; (A) partial right heart bypass to well-grown side, (B) mandatory pulmonary blood flow to low-capacity side, (aorto-pulmonary shunt or others) and (C) a patch between partial right heart bypass and mandatory pulmonary blood flow. Thirteen patients underwent the approach. The source of partial right heart bypass was brought from superior vena cava (11 patients), inferior vena cava (1 patient) and fenestrated Fontan (1 patient). The mandatory pulmonary blood flow was supplied by aorto-pulmonary shunt (11 patients), pulmonary arterial banding (1 patient) and native pulmonary valve stenosis (1 patient). We added pulmonary artery enlargement (9 patients), release of pulmonary venous obstruction (8 patients) and/or atrio-ventricular valve plasty (5 patients), simultaneously. No hospital death. Early post-operative course was uneventful in all cases except 1, as pulmonary blood flow to low-capacity side had increased gradually after this intervention. Eight patients had reached Fontan operation. In this approach, nearly whole pulmonary artery can grow without any affect of volume overload through well-grown side from collateral arteries of low-capacity side. All procedures of "intrapulmonary septation technic" and reconstruction of pulmonary artery in Fontan operation can be easily performed in larger pulmonary artery of well-grown side, eliminating need for extensive dissection.

Child↗
PubMed2003

[Assessment of left internal thoracic artery grafts by atrial pacing].

The flow reactivity of a left internal thoracic artery graft (LITAG) in response to atrial pacing was evaluated in 14 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with LITAG to left anterior descending artery (LAD). Systolic peak velocity and diastolic peak velocity were recorded using a duplex scanner of 7.5 MHz, and flow volumes in each phase and flow ratio were calculated. The external temporary atrial pacing was used to increase heart rates 25 and 50%. Diastolic peak velocity and flow volume increased predominantly on both pacing rates. In contrast, systolic peak velocity decreased when heart rate was raised 50%, and there was no significant difference between the pacing modes in systolic flow volumes. As a result, flow ratio increased predominantly on both pacing rates. Based on the present studies, there may be some advantages with atrial pacing to increase the LITAG flow in response to the myocardial oxygen demand.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

[Surgical treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome associated with superior vena cava obstruction; report of a case].

We report a case of a 37-year-old woman with Budd-Chiari syndrome who underwent a radical treatment. She had had ascites, general edema, and liver dysfunction for 5 years. Preoperative cineangiogram showed a membranous stenosis at the retrohepatic inferior vena cava and the catheter could not be advanced into superior vena cava. In the operation, obstructed superior vena cava was identified. Membranous tissue at retrohepatic inferior vena cava was removed, and patch cavoplasty was performed under circulatory arrest through Senning procedure. Postoperative cavogram revealed good patency of inferior vena cava and her symptoms were disappeared.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Prognostic factors on surgical treatment for lung cancer].

The factors for determining prognosis after lung cancer surgery are curative operation, pathological stage, pathological classification, adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies, expression of cancer related genes, and concomitant diseases. In particular, pathological stage (especially N stage) is the most influential factor for tumor recurrence, metastasis and survival. The revision of TNM classification by The Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (UICC) in 1997 was well correlated with prognosis. The 5 year survival rates of stage Ia, Ib, IIa, IIb, and IIIa were 67, 57, 55, 39, and 23%, respectively. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for clinical N 2 disease is expected to improve surgical curativity and survival. Tumor markers including carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CYFRA 21-1, and expression of cancer related genes, such as Ki 67, K-ras, bcl-2 and telomerase, are reported to reflect survival after surgery. Smoking and concomitant pulmonary diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and interstitial lung disease affect postoperative patient quality of life (QOL) and survival. We should examine these factors precisely, predict each patient's prognosis and establish an appropriate treatment strategy for each patient.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed2003

[Assessment of blood flow of the internal thoracic artery in patients with aortic stenosis].

The number of patients undergoing combined aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic stenosis (AS) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been increasing. In CABG, the internal thoracic artery (ITA) is the preferred conduit for its long-term patency. Although Doppler studies on ITA have been widely used, flow characteristics of the vessel in patients with AS have not been reported. To evaluate blood flow pattern of the ITA in AS, duplex scanning was performed in 10 patients before and after AVR. Peak systolic velocity was measured, and blood flow was calculated from mean velocity and cross-sectional area. The mean diameters of the vessels were approximately 1.8 mm on both sides. AVR caused an increase in systolic velocities from 61.2 cm/sec to 85.5 cm/sec in right ITA and from 58.4 cm/sec to 84.7 cm/sec in left ITA. The flow volumes increased from 32.2 ml/min to 46.7 ml/min in right and increased from 31.6 ml/min to 46.3 ml/min in left after AVR. In simultaneous AVR for AS and CABG, suitability of the ITA should be assessed before its use, and concomitant AVR may be quite important to provide adequate flow of the ITA as a conduit.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

[Aortic regurgitation caused by prolapsed noncoronary cusp associated with dissecting aortic aneurysm treated by placing a prosthetic graft onto the anulus: report of a case].

A 70-year-old man with severe aortic regurgitation (AR) associated with dissecting aortic aneurysm underwent a radical operation. AR was thought to be due to dilated sinotubular junction and prolapsed noncoronary cusp caused by dissecting flap extended into the sinus of Valsalva. At operation, the noncoronary cusp was slightly prolapsed into the left ventricle, but all cusps were seemed to be thin and pliable. An isolated "tongue shaped" graft was placed onto the anulus of the noncoronary cusp, and a 26 mm Woven Dacron graft was used to replace the ascending aorta. Postoperative angiogram showed mild AR and improved left ventricular (LV) function. This procedure was effective to repair AR caused by prolapsed noncoronary cusp without elongation or thickening of the valve.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Bronchopleural fistula after lung cancer surgery. Multivariate analysis of risk factors.

BACKGROUND: To elucidate retrospectively the risk factors for bronchopleural fistulae after lung cancer surgery. METHODS: The subjects were 1,177 patients with lung cancer who underwent surgery between 1983 and 1997. Twenty-two clinical factors were examined by logistic analysis. RESULTS: Bronchopleural fistulae were observed in 35 patients (32 males, 3 females) with a mean age of 64 years. Eighteen (51%) of 35 patients died of BPF-related complications. The significant risk factors obtained by univariate analysis were male gender, heavy smoking, current smoking, low level of %FVC, metastases to lymph nodes, squamous cell carcinoma, increased WBC, decreased albumin, advanced postsurgical stage, sleeve lobectomy, and resection of the right lower lobe or middle and lower lobe. The significant risk factors noted by multivariate analysis were heavy smoking (30 or more pack/years), current rather than past smoking, metastases to lymph nodes, decreased albumin (3.5 mg/dl or less), and resection of the right lower lobe or middle and lower lobe. CONCLUSIONS: The above risk factors must be taken into account before surgical techniques followed by adequate perioperative management are selected.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Association of the mitochondrial DNA 5178 A/C polymorphism with serum lipid levels in the Japanese population.

As one approach to exploring whether the mitochondrial DNA 5178 adenine/cytosine (mt5178 A/C) polymorphism is associated with atherosclerosis, we genotyped 461 healthy Japanese individuals and studied the relationship of mt5178 A/C genotypes to serum lipid levels. Blood specimens were obtained after at least a 12-h fasting period from the subjects. The mt5178 A/C was genotyped by the polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The relative frequency of mt5178 A was 41.6% (192/461) and of mt5178 C was 58.4% (269/461). After adjustments for age and body mass index, the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration in males carrying mt5178 A was significantly higher than that in males carrying mt5178 C ( P=0.026). The tryglyceride (TG) concentration in females carrying mt5178 A was significantly lower than that in females carrying mt5178 C ( P=0.012). This difference in the TG level between the two genotypes was more evident in postmenopausal females than in premenopausal females. Mt5178 A seems to have an antiatherogenic effect. This is the first genetic epidemiological report on the association of mt5178 A/C polymorphism with serum lipid levels in the Japanese population.

Adenine↗
PubMed2001

Increased telomerase activity and elevated hTERT mRNA expression during multistage carcinogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.

BACKGROUND: Telomerase activation is believed to play a critical role in the immortalization of cells and carcinogenesis. Telomerase activity is undetectable in normal somatic cells (except for those cells undergoing proliferation) but is expressed in the majority of human tumors including lung carcinoma. The expression of hTERT mRNA has been found to be correlated with telomerase activity. In the current study, the authors analyzed telomerase activity and hTERT mRNA expression in preinvasive bronchial lesions using biopsy specimens obtained by fluorescence bronchoscopy. METHODS: The authors studied 150 bronchial biopsy specimens obtained by fluorescence bronchoscopy. The intensity of telomerase activity was determined by the fluorescence-based telomeric repeat amplification protocol method in 74 bronchial biopsy specimens (22 normal bronchial epithelium or bronchitis cases, 15 squamous metaplasia cases, 23 dysplasia cases, and 14 squamous cell carcinoma cases), and the level of hTERT mRNA was analyzed in another 76 specimens (24 normal bronchial epithelium or bronchitis cases, 15 squamous metaplasia cases, 20 dysplasia cases, and 17 squamous cell carcinoma cases) by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The mean values (+/- the standard deviation [SD]) of telomerase activity in normal bronchial epithelium or bronchitis, squamous metaplasia, dysplasia, and squamous cell carcinoma cases were 6.2 +/- 7.5, 13.9 +/- 14.8, 18.5 +/- 20.8, and 54.5 +/- 22.3 U/microg protein, respectively. The upper limit of telomerase activity in normal bronchial epithelium or bronchitis was 21 U/microg protein (mean + 2SD). It is interesting to note that, 5 of 15 squamous metaplasia biopsies (33%), 8 of 23 dysplasia biopsies (35%), and all squamous cell carcinoma biopsies (100%) exhibited levels of telomerase activity that were > 21 U/microg protein. The mean levels of hTERT mRNA in normal bronchial epithelium or bronchitis, squamous metaplasia, dysplasia, and squamous cell carcinoma cases were 891 +/- 840, 1936 +/- 1704, 3019 +/- 2607, and 12965 +/- 18008 copies/microg total RNA, respectively. Telomerase activity and hTERT mRNA expression were found to increase in proportion to the severity of histologic change from normal bronchial epithelium or bronchitis to squamous cell carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that an increase in telomerase activity and hTERT mRNA expression are features of the early stages of the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, with strong telomerase activity and hTERT mRNA expression being prominent during the latter stages.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Relationships between cold hardiness and diapause, and between glycerol and free amino acid contents in overwintering larvae of the oriental corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis.

To elucidate the relationship between diapause and cold hardiness in the oriental corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis, the levels of various substances, cold hardiness and respiration were measured in diapausing and post-diapausing overwintering larvae. Under field conditions, diapause terminated between November and January, although O(2) consumption, measured at 20 degrees C in the laboratory, remained at a high level from October to January. Glycerol content was low during October and November but greatly increased during December and January. Serine was the most abundant of the free amino acids, and its concentrations were especially high during October and November, while the concentration of alanine increased in December and January. Under laboratory conditions, glycerol levels were low in diapausing larvae, and in post-diapausing larvae that were acclimated at either high temperatures or under anaerobic conditions, while they were high in post-diapausing larvae kept under aerobic, low temperature conditions. The survival rate (cold hardiness) was strongly correlated with glycerol content but not with serine or alanine levels. These results suggest that O. furnacalis has a highly developed cold hardiness mechanism in which termination of diapause enables the larvae to increase glycerol levels when the temperature decreases.

Journal Article↗
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

Successful resection of a primary liposarcoma in the anterior mediastinum in a child: report of a case.

Primary liposarcomas of the mediastinum are very rare. We report on a 13-year-old girl who presented with a huge mediastinal tumor. The tumor was extirpated by a median sternotomy with a right thoracotomy. The tumor included the superior vena cava in the anterior mediastinum. It therefore probably originated from the anterior mediastinal fat tissue, possibly from the thymus. A pathological examination revealed myxoid liposarcoma. At 35 months postoperatively, the patient has not shown any recurrence.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2001

Yohimbine increases the binding potential for [11C]flumazenil in the monkey brain.

We evaluated the impact of yohimbine administration on benzodiazepine (BDZ) receptor binding in the central nervous system of non-human primates (rhesus monkeys). Estimates of the binding potential (Bmax/Kd) of BDZ receptors were made following intravenous administration of yohimbine, an alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist. Positron emission tomography was used in conjunction with [11C]flumazenil (Ro 15-1788), a tracer for central BDZ receptor binding activity. The effects of yohimbine were compared with a control condition in which saline was administered. Yohimbine significantly increased the binding potential in the hippocampus, as assessed using a Student's t-test with Bonferroni correction. The result that the administration of yohimbine readily induces an increase in the binding potential for BDZ receptors in the primate brain suggests that the presence of an anxiety state potentiates the effect of anxiolytics.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed2001

Age-specific prevalence of open-angle glaucoma and its relationship to refraction among more than 60,000 asymptomatic Japanese subjects.

To clarify the prevalence of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and its relationship to refraction among a Japanese population with a broad range of ages including children and adolescents, an 1-year epidemiological survey was conducted. The subjects of this study were 64,394 asymptomatic individuals who had attended the glasses and contact lens center in Yokohama, Japan from February 15, 1999 to February 14, 2000 and had been subjected to several optical examinations. The results of this study showed that the overall prevalence of OAG was 1.19% (1.14% for men, and 0.98% for women). Prevalence for children aged 6 to 14 of both sexes was approximately 0.5%. There were significant positive associations between the strength (diopter) of myopic refraction and OAG prevalence among all the examined subjects.

Adolescent↗