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Biomedical subjects

H Udagawa

Publications and source records attributed to H Udagawa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Bacteriological study of autologous cryoprecipitate-derived fibrin glue as the operative sealant.

Fibrin glue (FG) is frequently used to seal and cover the anastomoses in many operations such as cardiovascular surgery or orthopaedic surgery. However, in case of gastrointestinal surgery, anastomoses are potentially contaminated, and FG may promote bacterial growth, increasing the risk of leakage. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of cryoprecipitate-derived FG (CryoFG) on bacterial growth. Bacterial growth on the CryoFG and on the commercial FG (Beriplast P) was evaluated and compared with that on control medium. In addition, the complement activities were evaluated by heat inactivation or addition of guinea-pig complement to the experimental settings. The CryoFG inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli, whereas the commercial FG had no effect. Heat inactivation of the CryoFG inhibited the bactericidal effect of CryoFG. Addition of guinea-pig complement to the heat-inactivated CryoFG could almost restore the bactericidal activity, suggesting the important role of complement. This study showed that the CryoFG preserved the complement activity, which inhibited the in vitro growth of E. coli. Therefore, we concluded that the application of the CryoFG for gastrointestinal surgical anastomoses not only would be safe but also has the advantage of reducing bacterial infection.

Bacteria↗

Esophageal carcinoma with tracheal stenosis due to tumor invasion and long survival after chemoradiotherapy.

For patients who have esophageal carcinoma with tracheal invasion surgery is usually not indicated because operative complications are considerable and the prognosis is poor. We experienced complete regression of a large esophageal carcinoma with tracheal stenosis due to tumor invasion without tracheo-esophageal fistula. Irradiation of 68 Gy was delivered to a long T field from the neck to the lower thoracic esophagus, and was combined with chemotherapy using cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. The tumor decreased markedly in size and the tracheal stenosis resolved. The patient has survived for 4 years, although second primary early esophageal carcinoma and hypopharyngeal carcinoma were detected 2 years after his initial chemoradiotherapy. Although the prognosis of advanced esophageal carcinoma with invasion of other organs is usually poor, the effect of chemoradiotherapy can sometimes be dramatic and a good result can be achieved in such patients.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

Histopathologic effects of neoadjuvant therapies for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus: multivariate analysis of predictive factors and p53 overexpression.

In 97 patients (60, chemotherapy; 22, chemoradiotherapy; 15, radiotherapy), histopathologic effects were evaluated microscopically, and histologic response rates were compared among three neoadjuvant treatment modalities. Predictive factors for neoadjuvant therapies were analyzed by logistic regression, including the results of p53 immunohistochemical staining. In the chemoradiotherapy group, the pathologic response rate was 86.4%, and was significantly higher than that for chemotherapy (P < 0.0001) or for radiotherapy (P = 0.0031). In patients with normal p53 protein expression, the histopathologic response rate to chemotherapy was 20.0%, a higher rate than that for patients with abnormal p53 overexpression. In the chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy group, however, the response rates were almost the same, irrespective of p53 oncoprotein status. From multivariate analysis, the neoadjuvant treatment modality itself was identified as the most powerful predictive factor for the effect. Chemoradiotherapy had the most powerful effect on advanced esophageal cancer, and p53 status did not influence the clinical outcome in this group.

Adult↗

Surgical treatment of esophageal cancer: Tokyo experience of the three-field technique.

Esophageal cancer can metastasize to the lymph nodes at a very early stage of the disease, and spread occurs both upwards and downwards. We have developed the 'three-field lymphadenectomy' (3-FD) technique, in which more than 100 lymph nodes are completely dissected from the lower neck, mediastinum, and upper abdomen. More than 700 patients have undergone 3-FD since 1984. Three-field lymphadenectomy is associated with considerable morbidity, although efforts have been made to reduce this by preserving tracheobronchial circulation and innervation. The mortality associated with 3-FD is acceptable (5-year survival rate of 53.8% for patients treated with curative surgery). We believe that 3-FD is a suitable standard operation for the treatment of thoracic esophageal cancer. Further trials are now under way with the aim of improving the results of the technique and also extending the applications of limited surgery and non-surgical therapy.

Esophageal Neoplasms↗

Outcomes of extended lymph node dissection for squamous cell carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus.

Patients with thoracic esophageal carcinoma who underwent extended lymph node (LN) dissection were studied to assess the state of LN metastasis and evaluate its outcome in terms of a prognostic benefit. Pertaining to LN metastasis, it was found that depending on the location of a primary tumor, the area of choice, in which metastasis tends to develop predominantly, showed some variation. However, irrespective of the location of the tumor, the predominant growth of positive nodes was found to locate among three fields, namely the neck, mediastinum and abdomen even in patients with a single metastatic node. This suggests that extended LN dissection including the neck, mediastinum and abdomen should be considered mandatory, if a complete removal of the tumors for carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus is to be desired. Multivariate analysis revealed importance of LN dissection as a prognostic factor. A cumulative survival rate in the patients with lymphadenectomy through right thoracotomy was statistically better than that in the patients who underwent blunt extraction of the esophagus without lymphadenectomy. Furthermore, extensiveness of LN dissection could effectively serve as a prognostic factor. Consequently, three-field LN dissection yields a prognostic benefit to improve a long term survival in patients with carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus.

Analysis of Variance↗

ST-segment elevation in leads I and aVL predicts short-term prognosis in acute anterior wall myocardial infarction.

Our study demonstrates that ST-segment elevation in both leads I and aVL noted on admission for an anterior acute myocardial infarction does portend a worse short-term survival. Independent predictors of short-term prognosis in an anterior acute myocardial infarction include ST elevation in both leads I and aVL, advanced age, female gender, left ventricular failure, and malignant arrhythmias.

Adult↗

Severity of residual stenosis of infarct-related lesion and left ventricular function after single-vessel anterior wall myocardial infarction: implication of ST-segment elevation in lead aVL of the admission electrocardiograms.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between the severity of chronic-phase stenosis of infarct-related lesions (IRLs) and chronic left ventricular function in anterior acute myocardial infarctions (AMI) has not been adequately investigated. HYPOTHESIS: This study investigated whether ST elevation in lead aVL of admission electrocardiogram (ECG) would be a determinant factor of the relationship between the severity of stenosis of the IRL and chronic left ventricular function after anterior wall AMI. METHODS: One month after AMI, the IRL was evaluated by coronary angiography in 98 patients with anterior AMI, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was determined using multigated radionuclide angiocardiography. Patients were classified according to the severity of the IRL: patients with 100% occlusion (Group O), patients with 90 to 99% stenosis (Group H), and patients with < or =75% stenosis (Group L). Patients with ST elevation > or =0.1 mV in the aVL lead on their admission ECG were included in the ST-elevation group, and those with ST elevation <0.1 mV were included in the non-ST-elevation group. RESULTS: The LVEF was greater in the non-ST-elevation group than in the ST-elevation group (p<0.0001), and the LVEF in a whole group as follows: Group L LVEF>Group H LVEF>Group O LVEF (p = 0.0160). In the ST-elevation group, LVEF was higher in Group L than in the other groups (p = 0.0251). There were three independent predictors of a reduced LVEF: ST-elevation in aVL [odds ratio (OR): 3.38, p = 0.0044], IRL stenosis > or =90% (OR: 2.90, p = 0.0044), and the IRL occurring in the left anterior descending artery proximal to the first diagonal branch (OR: 6.31, p = 0.0024). CONCLUSION: Left ventricular function was preserved, regardless of the severity of residual stenosis, in patients without ST elevation in aVL if the IRL was not totally occluded. In patients with ST elevation in aVL, LVEF was lower in patients with more severe stenosis, even if the IRL was patent.

Adult↗

Quantitative evaluation of coronary stenosis by coronary magnetic resonance angiography.

Coronary magnetic resonance angiography (coronary MRA) can detect, noninvasively, a high proportion of severe stenotic lesions found on coronary angiograms. However, quantitative evaluation of coronary artery stenosis by coronary MRA has been performed only in a small number of patients. This study was designed to determine whether coronary MRA can assess the degree of stenosis using the two-dimensional segmented turbo-FLASH method (2D method). We studied 108 patients with technically adequate coronary MRA images. The blood flow signal intensity on coronary MRA was classified as markedly decreased, moderately decreased, or normal. The severity of coronary artery stenosis was determined by the caliper method, and coronary stenosis was rated using a seven-point scale (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 90%, 99%, and 100%) in accordance with the American Heart Association classification system. Patients were classified into three groups: normal coronary artery (0%-25% stenosis), moderate stenosis (50%-75% stenosis), and severe stenosis (90%-100% stenosis). The degree of stenosis on coronary angiography and the decrease in coronary MRA signal intensity were compared. The right coronary artery was evaluated in 64 patients and the left coronary artery in 73 patients. When a marked or moderate decrease in coronary MRA blood flow signal intensity was defined as indicating stenosis, the sensitivity and specificity of coronary MRA for detecting angiographically severe stenosis were 85% and 80%, respectively. A moderate decrease in coronary MRA blood flow signal intensity detected angiographically moderate stenoses with a sensitivity of 38% and a specificity of 83%. Coronary MRA can detect a high proportion of severe stenoses but only a low proportion of moderate stenoses. Technical improvements are required before coronary MRA can be used clinically.

Adult↗

Pulmonary thromboembolism after surgery for esophageal cancer: its features and prophylaxis.

We attempt to clarify the problems of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE), which occurs less frequently in Japan than in the West, regarding its special perioperative management and prophylaxis for PTE after esophagectomy. We studied 26 patients with PTE following esophagectomy among 1023 patients with esophageal cancer between 1984 and 1997. The presence of embolism was confirmed by pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy. The incidence, diagnosis, and other issues of PTE were all reviewed. The incidence of PTE was 2.5%, with patients showing a biphasic early and late onset. The main symptoms were dyspnea in 19 patients and tachycardia in 17. Scintigraphy demonstrated 154 lesions, 35.7% of which were located in the left lower lobe and 25.3% in the right lower lobe. Treatment mainly consisted of the administration of heparin and urokinase. Four of the 26 patients died. Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) with the administration of heparin has been used in our department since 1994 to prevent PTE and this has also helped to decrease the incidence from 3.2% to 0.7%. Because the incidence of PTE following esophagectomy is higher than expected, PTE should be considered whenever hypoxemia of some unknown cause is found. Both early diagnosis and treatment are essential. It is also important to prevent PTE by the use of IPC.

Esophageal Neoplasms↗

Cardiac rupture and admission electrocardiography in acute anterior myocardial infarction: implication of ST elevation in aVL.

This study determines the usefulness of electrocardiography in the emergency room for assessing the risk of cardiac rupture after acute anterior myocardial infarction (MI). The presence of ST segment elevation on the admission 12-lead electrocardiography was evaluated in 325 consecutive anterior MI patients. A forward-stepwise logistic regression analysis for cardiac rupture was performed with the covariates of age, gender, hypertension, history of MI, reperfusion therapy by coronary angioplasty, and ST segment elevations in leads I, aVL, V1-V6. Cardiac rupture occurred in 16 patients, including 7 with left ventricular free wall rupture (FWR) and 9 with ventricular septal perforation (VSP). For FWR, ST elevation in lead aVL was the only independent predictor (odds ratio = 12.1, P = .0215). For VSP, female gender (odds ratio = 5.32, P = .0201) was the independent predictor. In conclusion, in patients with acute anterior MI, ST segment elevation in lead aVL on the admission electrocardiography is a significant risk factor for left ventricular FWR.

Adult↗

Usefulness of autologous blood transfusion for avoiding allogenic transfusion and infectious complications after esophageal cancer resection.

BACKGROUND: A retrospective investigation was conducted to determine whether autologous blood collection could reduce allogenic transfusion after resection of esophageal cancer and whether allogenic transfusion influenced postoperative infection. METHODS: Patients (n = 100) who met the criteria for hemoglobin, age, body weight, and serum protein donated 800 mL of autologous blood from May 1994 to December 1997. The control group (n = 248) was selected from patients who met the same criteria and did not donate autologous blood over the 10 years before the start of autologous blood collection. RESULTS: Only three patients (3%) from the autologous group required allogenic transfusion versus 84 patients (33.7%) from the control group. Sixteen of the 26 patients who received more than 4 units of allogenic blood contracted postoperative infections compared with 25 of 165 patients who did not (P < .0001). Autologous blood transfusion significantly increased the probability of avoiding allogenic transfusion (odds ratio, 27.58), and allogenic transfusion was significantly related to postoperative infection (odds ratio, 1.19), according to logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous blood collection reduces the need for allogenic transfusion in patients undergoing resection of esophageal cancer, and avoidance of allogenic transfusion may reduce the risk of postoperative infection.

Bacterial Infections↗

Serious group A streptococcal infection around delivery.

OBJECTIVE: To differentiate the features of serious, perinatal, group A streptococcal infection from other types of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. DATA SOURCES: Thirty-eight obstetric cases that were fatal or fulfilled the criteria of Centers of Disease Control and Prevention for streptococcal toxic shock syndrome were reviewed. Three cases were from Asahi General Hospital, 26 from MEDLINE (1966-December 1998), four from Japana Centra Revuo Medicina (1987-November 1998) using the search terms "Streptococcus," "Streptococcus pyogenes," "Streptococcal infection," "pregnancy," "labor," "delivery," "sepsis," and "shock," and five from official records of the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan. Cases of early pregnancy or cases that had unclear intervals between delivery and deterioration were eliminated. INTEGRATION AND RESULTS: The 30 cases were divided into two groups by interval between delivery and deterioration. Seventeen cases deteriorated before, during, or within 12 hours of delivery (perinatal group). They were compared with 13 cases of the puerperal group. The mortality rates for infants and mothers in the perinatal group were higher than those of the puerperal group (infant: ten of 17 versus zero of 13, mother: 15 of 17 versus seven of 13). The other differences of description were unusually strong labor (eight of 17 versus one of 13), obvious serious inflammation (zero of 17 versus ten of 13), and evidence of serious sepsis (eight of 17 versus zero of 13). Purulent myometritis without neighboring inflammation was found in our three cases. In ten cases, subjects or their family members had preceding sore throats. CONCLUSION: The cases in the perinatal group had characteristic features. We suspected that after invading the myometrium through the upper respiratory tract, large amounts of cocci were dispersed into the systemic circulation of the mother by active uterine contractions caused by purulent myometritis. Unusual clinical signs were important for diagnosis.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Esophageal cancer and right aortic arch associated with a vascular ring.

We report on the problems of diagnosis and surgical technique from the standpoint of mediastinal anatomy in patients with esophageal cancer and right aortic arch associated with a vascular ring. We propose that left thoracotomy plus sternotomy is the best approach to allow visualization of the bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerves.

Aorta, Thoracic↗

Severe pulmonary hemorrhage in patients with serious group A streptococcal infections: report of two cases.

Severe pulmonary hemorrhage was observed in two patients who died of serious group A streptococcal infections. These two patients initially presented with fever and sore throat. This was followed by sudden onset of septicemia caused by the bacteria and by the subsequent development of severe pulmonary hemorrhage. Hemoptysis, cyanosis, and dyspnea were observed prior to death in both cases. This pulmonary lesion resulted in asphyxia and sudden death in one patient. Pathological examinations of the lung revealed severe intraalveolar hemorrhage, with no evidence of inflammation or necrosis of the pulmonary tissue. There was no evidence of aspiration of blood due to hemorrhage in the upper respiratory or alimentary tract. This visceral lesion appears to be an hitherto undescribed, novel clinicopathologic feature of patients with serious group A streptococcal infections.

Adult↗

[Evaluation of CO2 condition for antibiotic susceptibility test of Helicobacter pylori on microdilution broth].

We determined the MICs of clarithromycin for 32 Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from gastric mucosa of patients, by using microdilution broth method under different microaerobic conditions (CO2: 5% and 15%). The pH of broth was more acidic at 15% CO2 than that of at 5% CO2. The MICs of clarithromycin for all H. pylori strains at 15% CO2 condition were higher than that of clarithromycin at 5% CO2 condition. Comparing the MICs with the results of eradication therapy, we concluded that the measurement of MIC under 5%CO2 condition is more useful for expecting the clinical outcome.

Carbon Dioxide↗

[A gastrointestinal radiographic study of 18 patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma arising from Barrett's epithelium].

Gastrointestinal radiographs were reviewed with pathological correlation in 18 patients with histologically proven esophageal adenocarcinoma arising from Barrett's epithelium. Comparison was also made with postoperative radiographs of resected esophageal specimens from 3 of the patients. Esophageal carcinoma could be observed in the gastrointestinal radiographs in 17 of the 18 patients. In 14 of the 17, the classification based on the gastrointestinal radiographs was consistent with the gross classification. In 10 of the 18 patients, rough mucosa was seen on gastrointestinal radiographs in the same area in which Barrett's epithelium was observed in the histopathological specimens. Sliding esophageal hiatus hernia was present in 12 of the 18 patients, a relatively high incidence. Regular granular or reticular shadows were observed on the mucosal surface of the esophagus on the postoperative radiographs of 3 patients. It is believed that a diagnosis of Barrett's epithelium can be made from gastrointestinal radiographs if these mucosal patterns are present. Although a definitive diagnosis of Barrett's epithelium based on upper gastrointestinal radiographs is considered difficult, the presence of rough mucosa in the esophagus around the carcinoma in combination with esophageal hiatus hernia are suggestive of esophageal adenocarcinoma arising from Barrett's epithelium.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Therapeutic strategy for adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus: a study based on a comparison with squamous cell carcinoma].

The therapeutic strategy for adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus is discussed based on a comparison with squamous cell carcinoma. The pattern and range of lymph node metastasis of adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus is similar to that of squamous cell carcinoma, as is the pattern of recurrence. Chemotherapy is less effective, except for some reports on paclitaxel, but chemoradiation therapy is comparable in effect. The general tendency of a better prognosis for patients with carcinoma in Barrett's esophagus is the result of several factors, such as earlier detection of the disease, lower probability of lymph node metastasis, and distal location which permits less radical curative surgical procedures without cervical and superior mediastinal lymph node dissection. In principal the therapeutic strategy for adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus should be determined like that for squamous cell carcinoma, taking into account the location of the lesion and the depth of invasion.

Adenocarcinoma↗