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Biomedical subjects

Yuichi Inoue

Publications and source records attributed to Yuichi Inoue.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A case of Mycobacterium nonchromogenicum pulmonary infection showing multiple nodular shadows in an immunocompetent patient.

Mycobacterium nonchromogenicum is generally considered nonpathogenic. However, M. nonchromogenicum rarely causes human disease; particularly, pulmonary disease is extremely rare. The common finding of M. nonchromogenicum pulmonary infection on chest X-ray is a solitary cavity. The present report describes an unusual case of M. nonchromogenicum primary pulmonary infection showing multiple nodular shadows.

Adult↗

Prevalence and clinical characteristics of restless legs syndrome in Japanese patients with Parkinson's disease.

To explore the clinical significance of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in Parkinson's disease (PD) and the causal relationship between these two disorders, we made a comparison of both the prevalence of RLS and the severity of sleep disturbance manifested on the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) between patients with PD (n=165) and age- and sex-matched control subjects (n=131). The prevalence of RLS diagnosed by clinical interview was significantly higher in PD patients than in control subjects (12% vs. 2.3%). PSQI score was significantly higher in PD patients with RLS than in both patients without RLS and controls. However, PSQI score was not statistically different between the latter two groups. Among the PD patients with RLS, only 2 had a positive family history of RLS. Only 3 PD patients had requested treatment for the disorder. Our results emphasize the etiological link between RLS and PD in a Japanese cohort, and the existence of RLS is thought to be one of the most important factors aggravating sleep disturbance in PD, despite the low RLS severity.

Aged↗

Accumulation of glucose in keloids with FDG-PET.

OBJECTIVE: Glucose metabolism has not been investigated in human (in vivo) keloids. In the present study, we performed positron emission tomography (PET) with fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) to examine glucose metabolism in keloids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five patients (2 men and 3 women) with typical keloids having a thickness of more than 5 mm were studied. HEADTOME-IV SET-1400W-10 (Shimadzu, Tokyo, Japan) was employed for PET studies. Transmission scanning was performed on each patient. After fasting for more than 4 hours, the patients were injected intravenously with FDG 185-370 (MBq) following each transmission scan. Emission scans were performed 40-55 min after injection. For quantitative evaluation, the regions of interest (Circles ROIs: 6 mm in diameter) were placed on all the keloid lesions and surrounding tissues, and then their standardized uptake value (SUV = the tissue concentration/the activity injected per body weight) was calculated. RESULTS: FDG was defined as showing the accumulation in keloids when its uptake was relatively higher in the keloid than that in the surrounding tissue. The SUV of the keloids ranged from 1.0 to 2.74, with a mean of 1.79. CONCLUSION: FDG-PET was performed in 5 patients with keloids and low-grade accumulation of FDG was observed in all lesions. This indicated that glucose metabolism was accelerated in keloids.

Adult↗

Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography for assessment of patients with unresectable recurrent or metastatic lung cancers after CT-guided radiofrequency ablation: preliminary results.

OBJECTIVES: We compared the diagnostic value of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) with that of computed tomography (CT) following radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of inoperable recurrent or metastatic cancers in the lung. METHODS: Twelve patients (9 males and 3 females; 5 had recurrent lung cancer and the other 7 had metastatic nodules from a variety of primary cancers) were treated by RFA for 17 pulmonary nodules. FDG-PET was performed before and 2 months after RFA, and the mean standardized uptake value (SUV) was calculated. The response evaluation was based on the percent reduction relative to the baseline and the absolute values of SUV on FDG-PET performed at 2 months after RFA. We compared the response evaluations made based on findings of FDG-PET and CT at 2 and > or =6 months (mean 10.2) after RFA. RESULTS: The percent reduction in uptake at 2 months was significantly lower in nodules considered progressive (69.6 +/- 18.6%) than nonprogressive disease (38.7 +/- 12.5%; p < 0.01) based on CT findings at > or =6 months after RFA. The absolute SUV at 2 months was significantly higher in nodules considered progressive (2.61 +/- 0.75) than nonprogressive disease (1.05 +/- 0.67; p < 0.01) based on CT findings at > or =6 months post-RFA. CONCLUSION: Although our pilot study comprised few cases of various histopathological types of cancers in the lung, the results suggest that FDG-PET could predict regrowth on subsequent follow-up CT. Regrowth could be diagnosed earlier by FDG-PET than by CT, and nodules with residual uptake and with <60% reduction of uptake relative to baseline on FDG-PET at 2 months after ablation might require additional therapy.

Adult↗

Usefulness of FDG-microPET for early evaluation of therapeutic effects on VX2 rabbit carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the potential use of high-resolution FDG-microPET for predicting the primary effects of radiotherapy and/or hyperthermia on tumor-bearing rabbits. METHODS: Twenty-eight VX2 xenografts in the thighs of rabbits were divided into the following 5 treatment groups: radiotherapy at a single dose of 10, 20 or 30 Gy, hyperthermia (43 degrees Celsius, 1 hour), and the combination of radiotherapy and hyperthermia (10 Gy + 43 degrees Celsius, 1 hour). FDG-microPET images were obtained by using a microPET P4 system at pretreatment and at 24 hours and 7 days after treatment. For the evaluation by FDG-microPET, tumor/muscle (T/M) ratios, retention index [RI = (T/M ratio at 120 min - T/M ratio at 60 min) / T/M ratio at 60 min], and time activity curve (TAC) were acquired. RESULTS: We divided the xenografts into a responder group (partial response + stable disease, n=14) and a non-responder group (progressive disease, n = 14). The T/M ratio at 24 hours after the treatment in the responder group was decreased remarkably with that at pre-treatment (p < 0.05), while in the non-responder group it showed no significant change between the time points. The RI and TAC patterns were comparable to T/M ratios in each treatment group. T/M ratios, RI, and TAC indicated marked changes at the time point of 24 hours in the responder group, although the tumors did not show any significant hange in volume at that time. Photomicrographs of sections showed that the number of viable tumor cells in the responder group decreased at 24 hours after treatment and that inflammatory cell infiltration was marked and almost all viable tumor cells had disappeared by day 7 after treatment. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that early evaluation by FDG-microPET, especially 24 hours after treatment, is useful to predict the primary effects of the treatment. Histological analysis showed that inflammatory cell infiltration at 7 days after treatment was considered to be a cause of accumulation of FDG in the tumors that showed a significant decrease in tumor cell number. This false-positive should be noted when predicting tumor response by FDG accumulation.

Animals↗

Comparison of accurate measurement of left ventricular mass in patients with hypertrophied hearts by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography versus magnetic resonance imaging.

To evaluate whether left ventricular (LV) mass assessed by a new real-time, 3-dimensional echocardiographic (RT-3DE) system corresponds to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with LV hypertrophy, RT-3DE and 2-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) were performed to calculate LV mass in 21 patients (mean age 54 +/- 15 years) who underwent MRI for the evaluation of LV hypertrophy. In 20 of 21 patients, adequate 3-dimensional data for LV mass analysis were obtained, and regression analysis showed that LV mass by RT-3DE correlated with that determined by MRI (r = 0.95, y = 28.9 + 0.85x) better than with that determined by 2DE (r = 0.70, y = 43.6 + 0.81x). RT-3DE allows the accurate measurement of LV mass in patients with hypertrophied hearts.

Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional↗

Heart rate variability under acute simulated microgravity during daytime waking state and nocturnal sleep: comparison of horizontal and 6 degrees head-down bed rest.

This study examined the acute effect of cephalad fluid shift under simulated microgravity on heart rate variability (HRV) during both daytime waking state and nocturnal sleep. Seven healthy male volunteers (21-31 years) underwent a series of experiments involving 6 degrees head-down bed rest (HD) for 3 days. A control experiment on the same subjects was conducted under horizontal bed rest (HZ) in the same series. HRV from electrocardiogram signals was periodically calculated by the MemCalc method during daytime on the first and second days of both conditions. Nocturnal sleep on the first night of bed rest was monitored by polysomnography. HRV during stage 2 sleep and REM sleep were assessed in the former and latter halves of the sleep period time. Nocturnal sleep architecture under both conditions was normal, but a slight decrease in stage 4 sleep and an increase in the number of arousals occurred under HD. On both the first and second days, HRV during the daytime did not differ between HZ and HD. In contrast, high frequency components in HRV during sleep stage 2 were significantly higher in the latter half of sleep under HD than under HZ, although there were no differences in the ratio of low frequency to high frequency components during both stage 2 and the REM stage between the conditions. These results suggest that the acute effect of the cephalad fluid shift on cardiac autonomic nervous activity might be affected by the sleep/wake state modulating the dominance between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous activity.

Adult↗

Non-small-cell lung cancer: reirradiation for loco-regional relapse previously treated with radiation therapy.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of reirradiation for patients with loco-regional relapse of non-small-cell lung cancer after radiation therapy. METHODS: Between 1992 and 2002, 19 patients with loco-regional relapse underwent reirradiation. The median interval between the initial irradiation and reirradiation was 16 months, with a range of 5 to 60 months. The prescribed dose of reirradiation was 50 Gy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks for 18 patients and 60 Gy in 30 fractions over 6 weeks for 1 patient. RESULTS: Five patients could not receive the prescribed dose of reirradiation. The response rate was 43% among the 14 patients who received the prescribed dose of reirradiation. The overall 1-year and 2-year Kaplan-Meier survival rates were 26% and 11%, respectively, and the median survival time was 7.1 months. The median survival times associated with intervals between the initial irradiation and reirradiation of less than 12 months, 12-18 months, and more than 18 months were 2.1, 7.1, and 11.5 months, respectively. There were significant differences in survival between patients with an interval of less than 12 months and those with an interval of 12-18 months, and between those with an interval of less than 12 months and those with an interval of more than 18 months (generalized Wilcoxon method; P < 0.05 for both). Grade 3 radiation pneumonitis and grade 2 radiation esophagitis occurred in 1 and 3 patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Reirradiation is considered to contribute to salvage in selected patients with relapsed non-small-cell lung cancer. Patients with a long interval after the initial irradiation are good candidates for reirradiation. On the other hand, patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 3 were not good candidates.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Non-small cell lung cancer: radiation therapy for locoregional recurrence after complete resection.

BACKGROUND: We investigated patterns of failure after radical radiation therapy in relation to the radiation field in patients with postsurgical locoregional recurrence of non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS: Between 1992 and 2002, 31 patients with locoregional recurrence were treated with radiation therapy. At the time of radiation therapy, the sites of recurrence were the bronchial stump, the regional lymph nodes, the chest wall, and both the regional lymph nodes and the chest wall in 7, 20, 3, and 1 patient, respectively. The prescribed dose was 60 Gy in 30 fractions over 6 weeks in all patients. RESULTS: The response rate was 87%. The overall 1-year, 2-year, and 4-year Kaplan-Meier survival rates were 61%, 30%, and 15%, respectively, and the median survival time was 14 months. Locoregional relapse with or without distant metastasis occurred in 15 patients (in-field, 7; marginal, 7; out-field, 1), and distant metastasis alone occurred in 7 patients. The sites of marginal relapse were the upper margin in two patients, the ipsilateral margin in one patient, the contralateral margin in one patient, and the lower margin in three patients, respectively (in one patient, the data for marginal relapse overlapped). In all patients with relapse on the lower margin, the mediastinal lymph nodes were dissected at the initial surgery. CONCLUSION: Postoperative recurrent non-small cell lung cancer showed distinctive features: the response rate was high, and the incidence of marginal relapse was also high, as in small cell lung cancer. The incidence of lower marginal relapse was high, in contrast to that in surgery-naive patients.

Aged↗

Difference in the characteristics of subjective and objective sleepiness between narcolepsy and essential hypersomnia.

The present study was conducted to investigate the difference in the characteristics of daytime sleepiness between narcolepsy and essential hypersomnia and to identify the relationship between the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) in patients with these two disorders. Subjects consisted of 34 patients with essential hypersomnia (32.4 +/- 11.0 years old), 52 patients with narcolepsy (29.0 +/- 13.8 years old), and 45 control subjects (33.3 +/- 6.6 years old). The subjects completed the ESS and underwent MSLT following a regular sleep-wake schedule for over 2 weeks. The ESS scores were pathologically high and mean sleep latency on MSLT was short, not only in narcolepsy but also in essential hypersomnia. With respect to sleep latencies on each MSLT session, both essential hypersomnia and control subjects had the smallest value at 14:00, while narcolepsy lacked any statistical change at this time period. The correlation between ESS and mean sleep latency on MSLT was higher in essential hypersomnia than in narcolepsy, and the correlation was strongest for the session performed at 14:00. Based on the ESS and MSLT results, the severity of excessive daytime sleepiness was significantly milder in essential hypersomnia compared with that in narcolepsy. The results also indicate that diurnal variation of sleepiness was maintained, and the correlation between subjective and objective sleepiness was relatively maintained in essential hypersomnia compared to narcolepsy. It is suggested that the mild disease severity of essential hypersomnia contributed to the formation of these characteristics.

Adult↗

Consecutive monitoring of sleep disturbance for four nights at the top of Mt Fuji (3776 m).

The purpose of the present study was to conduct consecutive monitoring of sleep from the second to the fifth night at altitude. Three healthy male subjects climbed the top of Mt Fuji (3776 m) and stayed there for 6 days. Polysomnographic recordings were performed during this period and control recordings were made at sea level 1 month after the mountaineering. Disturbed sleep characterized by an increased number of arousals and/or long wake time was observed to persist through the fifth night in all subjects. These results suggest that sleep disturbance might persist during initial days at altitude despite cumulating sleep pressure due to poor night's sleep.

Adult↗

A rare case of dilatation of pulmonary veins and pulmonary emphysema in both lower lobes.

A 34-year-old man was admitted to hospital because of persistent shortness of breath and diffuse vascular dilation at both lower fields of his CXR. Bronchiectasis had been suspected during childhood because of abnormal chest shadows. However, a chest CT scan obtained on admission failed to show bronchiectasis, but rather there was a dilation of blood vessels and low attenuation areas in both lower lobes. A pulmonary angiogram showed normal pulmonary arteries in the arterial phase and diffuse dilated veins in the venous phase. Although the patient also had liver cirrhosis type B with portal hypertension, no association could be found between his liver cirrhosis and the lung lesions. This is a rare case of possible congenital or idiopathic diffuse dilatation of the pulmonary veins.

Adult↗

Diffusion-weighted MR imaging in patients with phenylketonuria: relationship between serum phenylalanine levels and ADC values in cerebral white matter.

PURPOSE: To prospectively determine the relationship between serum phenylalanine levels and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in the cerebral white matter of patients with phenylketonuria (PKU). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval was obtained, and participants provided informed consent. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, which included T1- and T2-weighted, fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR), and diffusion-weighted examinations, was performed in 21 patients with PKU (nine male and 12 female patients; age range, 3-44 years; mean age, 19.4 years). ADC values in deep cerebral white matter were calculated for each patient. Serum phenylalanine levels were obtained in all patients within 12 days after MR imaging. Serum phenylalanine levels were measured in 16 patients 1 year before MR imaging. ADC values in cerebral white matter and serum phenylalanine levels were compared. A total of 21 control subjects (12 male and nine female patients; age range, 3-33 years; mean age, 20.6 years) underwent MR imaging. ADC values in cerebral white matter were compared with serum phenylalanine levels by using the Pearson correlation. RESULTS: Abnormal high signal intensity in white matter on T2-weighted and FLAIR MR images was noted in patients with PKU who had serum phenylalanine levels of more than 8.5 mg/dL (514.2 micromol/L). Diffusion in posterior deep cerebral white matter tended to be restricted in patients when increased serum phenylalanine levels were measured after MR imaging (r = -0.62). There was a correlation between ADC values in posterior cerebral white matter and serum phenylalanine levels measured 1 year before MR imaging (r = -0.77). ADCs of control subjects were significantly higher than ADCs of patients with PKU (P < .005). CONCLUSION: Posterior deep white matter in patients with PKU and a serum phenylalanine level of more than 8.5 mg/dL showed high signal intensity in white matter on T2-weighted and FLAIR MR images and revealed decreased ADC. We suggest that to avoid brain-restricted diffusion due to hyperphenylalanemia, patients with PKU should maintain serum phenylalanine levels of less than 8.5 mg/dL (514.2 micromol/L).

Adolescent↗

Radiofrequency ablation in a porcine lung model: correlation between CT and histopathologic findings.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to investigate the time course changes of the ablated lesion after radiofrequency ablation in the porcine lung and the correlation between CT and histopathologic findings. CONCLUSION: Ground-glass attenuation on CT led to overestimation of the size of necrotic lesions. The layered structural findings on CT were consistent with the histopathologic findings. Although CT findings reflect the histopathologic findings, attention should be paid to the dissociation of ablated lesions and high-density areas in clinical interpretation of CT images.

Animals↗

Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration of gastric varices with gastrorenal shunt: long-term follow-up in 78 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate the long-term clinical results after balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO) for gastric varices with spontaneous gastrorenal shunt. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 78 patients with cirrhosis and with gastric varices, successfully treated by B-RTO, were enrolled in this study. Recurrence and bleeding of gastric varices and worsening of esophageal varices were endoscopically evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the prognostic factors for worsening of esophageal varices and survival. RESULTS: Recurrence of gastric varices was found in two patients; the 5-year recurrence rate was 2.7%. Bleeding of gastric varices occurred in only one patient after B-RTO; the 5-year bleeding rate was 1.5%. Worsening of esophageal varices was observed in 29 patients, and the worsening rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 27%, 58%, and 66%, respectively. These esophageal varices were endoscopically treated to prevent rupture. Multivariate analysis showed the presence of esophageal varices before B-RTO was a prognostic factor for worsening (relative risk, 4.956). At a median follow-up of 700 days (range, 137-2,339 days), the survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 93%, 76%, and 54%, respectively. The prognostic factors associated with survival were presence of hepatocellular carcinoma (relative risk, 24.342) and the Child-Pugh classification (relative risk, 5.780). CONCLUSION: B-RTO is an effective method for gastric varices with gastrorenal shunt and provides lower recurrence and bleeding rates. We believe that B-RTO can become a standard treatment for gastric varices with gastrorenal shunt, although treatment of worsened esophageal varices may be necessary after B-RTO.

Adult↗