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K Tsujino

Publications and source records attributed to K Tsujino.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Dosimetric predictors of radiation esophagitis in patients treated for non-small-cell lung cancer with carboplatin/paclitaxel/radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: To establish dosimetric predictors of radiation esophagitis (RE) in patients treated with a combination of carboplatin, paclitaxel, and radiotherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Three-dimensional radiotherapy plans of 26 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer who received 50-60 Gy of radiotherapy concurrently with weekly administration of carboplatin (AUC 2) and paclitaxel (40-45 mg/m(2)) were reviewed in conjunction with RE. The factors analyzed included the following: percentages of organ volumes receiving >40 Gy (V40), >45 Gy (V45), >50 Gy (V50), and >55 Gy (V55); the length of esophagus (total circumference) treated with >40 Gy (LETT40), >45 Gy (LETT45), >50 Gy (LETT50), and >55 Gy (LETT55); the maximum dose in the esophagus (Dmax); and the mean dose in the esophagus (Dmean). Data were obtained on the basis of superposition algorithm. RESULTS: All factors except Dmax showed statistical correlation with RE. Good correlations were shown between RE and LETT45 (rho = 0.714) and V45 (rho = 0.686). CONCLUSIONS: LETT45 and V45 appear to be useful dosimetric predictors of RE. It is also suggested that Dmax does not predict RE.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Endoscopic findings of radiation esophagitis in concurrent chemoradiotherapy for intrathoracic malignancies.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The incidence and extent of radiation esophagitis were assessed endoscopically in patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-two patients who received thoracic radiotherapy for lung, thymic, or esophageal cancer were investigated endoscopically from July 1991 to the end of 1997. Among them, 23 esophageal cancer patients were treated with radiation alone, and the others were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Esophageal endoscopy was performed during or just after radiotherapy. The presence of radiation esophagitis was assessed and assigned an endoscopic score (i.e. grade 0 for normal, 1 for erythema, 2 for erosion or sloughing, 3 for ulcer, hemorrhage, or stricture). The symptomatic grade was assessed using the RTOG (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group) acute radiation morbidity score. RESULTS: A correlation was seen between endoscopic and RTOG scores. However, even some patients with RTOG grade 0 to 1 had endoscopic grade 3 esophagitis. Endoscopic grade 3 was observed in 16 (27.1%) patients in the concurrent chemoradiotherapy group, whereas it did not occur in any patient in the radiation alone group (P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that (1) RTOG score correlates closely to esophageal mucosal damage, and (2) more severe esophagitis occurs in those undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy than those undergoing radiotherapy alone [corrected].

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Serological cross-reaction among Bartonella henselae, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Coxiella burnetii by indirect fluorescence antibody method].

We studied the serological cross-reactions among Bartonella henselae, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Coxiella burnetii by indirect fluorescence antibody (IFA) method, using sera from 8 patients with cat scratch disease (CSD), 13 patients with C. pneumoniae infection and 12 patients with acute Q fever. B. henselae IgG antibody was negative in 13 patients with C. pneumoniae infection, and was positive in 3 (titers being 1:64) of 12 patients with Q fever, whereas B. henselae IgM antibody was negative in all the patients with C. pneumoniae infection or Q fever. C. burnetii IgG antibody was removed by absorption of these 3 sera with C. burnetii antigens, whereas B. henselae IgG antibody did not change. C. pneumoniae IgG antibody was positive in 3 (titers being 1:125 in two, 1:32 in one) of 8 patients with CSD. Both C. pneumoniae and B. henselae IgG antibody titers were significantly reduced by absorption of these 3 sera with B. henselae antigens. C. burnetii IgG or IgM antibodies were negative in all patients with CSD. In conclusion, no serological cross-reaction between B. henselae and C. burnetii was observed. On the other hand. B. henselae IgG antibody cross-reacted to C. pneumoniae antigens, whereas C. pneumoniae IgG antibody did not cross-react to B. henselae antigens. Our findings suggest that determination of B. henselae IgG or IgM antibodies were not influenced by C. pneumoniae and C. burnetii antigens.

Bartonella henselae↗
PubMed2001

[Ocular dermoids].

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Corneal Diseases↗
PubMed2001

[Ocular drusen].

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Humans↗
PubMed2000

Clinical outcomes of orbital irradiation combined with or without systemic high-dose or pulsed corticosteroids for Graves' ophthalmopathy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of orbital irradiation with or without high-dose or pulsed corticosteroids in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). METHODS AND MATERIALS: One hundred and twenty-one patients with moderate to severe GO who received orbital irradiation from 1987 to 1997 were retrospectively analyzed. A total dose of 20 Gy in 10 fractions was delivered to the bilateral retrobulbar volume. Eighty-six patients were treated in combination with high-dose or pulsed corticosteroids and irradiation. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the prognostic variables. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 26 months. The overall clinical response was evaluated as excellent in 17 patients (14%), good in 65 (54%), fair in 31 (25%), no response in 7 (6%), and worse in 1 (1%). The best responses were noted for soft-tissue signs, extraocular muscle involvement, and sight loss, while a limited response was noted for proptosis. Multivariate analysis revealed that the use of high-dose corticosteroid or pulsed corticosteroids, female gender, and a shorter duration of ophthalmopathy before radiotherapy were significantly correlated with favorable outcomes. No long-term complications related to radiotherapy were observed. CONCLUSION: Orbital irradiation combined with high-dose or pulsed corticosteroids is an effective treatment for moderate to severe GO, especially in cases with major manifestations of soft-tissue signs, extraocular muscle impairment, or sight loss.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Weaver syndrome].

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Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed2000

[Dubowitz syndrome].

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Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1999

Deficient transcription of mouse mast cell protease 4 gene in mutant mice of mi/mi genotype.

The mi locus encodes a member of the basic-helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper (bHLH-Zip) protein family of transcription factors (hereafter called MITF). We reported that expression of the mouse mast cell protease 5 (MMCP-5) and MMCP-6 genes were deficient in cultured mast cells (CMC) derived from mutant mice of mi/mi genotype. Despite the reduced expression of both MMCP-5 and MMCP-6, their regulation mechanisms were different. Because MMCP-5 is a chymase and MMCP-6 a tryptase, there was a possibility that the difference in regulation mechanisms was associated with their different characteristics as proteases. We compared the regulation mechanisms of another chymase, MMCP-4, with those of MMCP-5 and MMCP-6. The expression of the MMCP-4 gene was also deficient in mi/mi CMC. The overexpression of the normal (+) MITF but not of mi-MITF normalized the poor expression of the MMCP-4 gene in mi/mi CMC, indicating the involvement of +-MITF in transactivation of the MMCP-4 gene. Although MMCP-4 is chymase as MMCP-5, the regulation of MMCP-4 expression was more similar to MMCP-6 than to MMCP-5. We also showed the deficient expression of granzyme B and cathepsin G genes in mi/mi CMC. Genes encoding granzyme B, cathepsin G, MMCP-4, and MMCP-5 are located on chromosome 14. Because all these genes showed deficient expression in mi/mi CMC, there is a possibility that MITF might regulate the expression of these genes through a locus control region.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Macrophage populations and apoptotic cells in the liver before spontaneous hepatitis in Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rats.

The inbred mutant strains of Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rats spontaneously develops acute hepatitis as a result of abnormal copper accumulation, followed by chronic hepatitis, cholangiofibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. To shed some light on the role of macrophages in the liver failure, immunohistochemical methods were used to investigate the kinetics of macrophage populations in the liver of male LEC rats, in relation to the appearance of myofibroblastic cells and hepatocyte apoptosis. Rats examined at 24 weeks of age and moribund rats killed at 22-25 weeks of age had increased serum concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, with jaundice and histological changes indicative of hepatic failure, whereas rats examined at 8, 12, 16 or 20 weeks old showed no such abnormal findings. Immunolabelling with ED1 (a monoclonal antibody recognizing rat macrophages) and ED2 (a monoclonal antibody specific for rat resident macrophages) revealed that numbers of blood monocyte-derived macrophages and Kupffer cells began to increase markedly at 16 weeks of age (before the onset of hepatitis). However, alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA)-positive myofibroblastic cells (modulated perisinusoidal cells) and hepatocyte apoptosis, demonstrable by the TUNEL method, were rarely seen at 8, 12, 16, 20 or 24 weeks. There was no close relationship between macrophage expansion and the appearance of myofibroblastic cells or hepatocyte apoptosis. In moribund rats, only a few SMA-positive cells were seen in the periportal zones; hepatocytes undergoing apoptosis increased in number, and macrophages engulfing apoptotic bodies were observed occasionally, suggesting that apoptosis was related to hepatic failure as an early event. In addition, immunohistochemical examination demonstrated abnormal deposits of laminin along the sinusoids from 20 weeks, as an initial extracellular matrix protein in LEC rat livers.

Actins↗
PubMed1999

The horizontally impacted maxillary canine situated in a labial position.

Surgical management of unerupted teeth depends upon a thorough understanding of anatomic, physiologic and pathologic factors. Attention has been given to problems of eruption in the maxillary anterior region. It is a region where a variety of anomalies occur. Since the maxillary anterior region influences appearance so greatly, early detection of difficulties and careful planning and treatment can be extremely beneficial to patients. The purpose of this case report is to present a case of maxillary permanent canine impaction in a horizontal displacement that developed after loss of the deciduous canine to chronic apical periodontitis, and incomplete root resorption of the deciduous canine.

Child↗
PubMed1998

Delayed onset of hemolytic anemia in CBA-Pk-1slc/Pk-1slc mice with a point mutation of the gene encoding red blood cell type pyruvate kinase.

The Pk-1slc gene encodes a mutant red blood cell (RBC) type pyruvate kinase (PK), and adult CBA-Pk-1slc/Pk-1slc mice show a severe nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia. However, the number of RBCs and the proportion of reticulocytes were comparable between neonatal CBA-Pk-1slc/Pk-1slc mice and control -+/+ mice. Since the age-dependent increase of RBCs was much greater in CBA-+/+ mice than in CBA-Pk-1slc/Pk-1slc mice, significant anemia was observed in the latter mice on day 14 after birth. The increase of RBCs in CBA-+/+ mice was due to the prolongation of their survival time. The half life of RBCs increased in CBA-+/+ mice with ages, but it decreased in CBA-Pk-1slc/Pk-1slc mice. The relatively longer half life of RBCs in neonatal CBA-Pk-1slc/Pk-1slc mice appeared to be due to the delayed switching from M2-type PK that are expressed by undifferentiated erythroid precursor cells to RBC-type PK that are expressed by mature RBCs.

Age of Onset↗
PubMed1998

Alteration of protease expression phenotype of mouse peritoneal mast cells by changing the microenvironment as demonstrated by in situ hybridization histochemistry.

Mouse mast cell protease (MMCP) mRNA expression was examined by in situ hybridization histochemistry. Peritoneal mast cells (PMCs) of WBB6F1-(+/+) mice expressed MMCP-2, MMCP-4, MMCP-5, and MMCP-6 mRNAs, but did not express MMCP-1 mRNA. When proliferation of PMCs was induced by culturing them in methylcellulose with T cell-derived cytokines, cells in mast cell colonies expressed MMCP-1 mRNA. These mast cells were transferred to a suspension culture to induce further proliferation. The phenotype of the resulting PMC-derived cultured mast cells was similar to that of bone marrow-derived cultured mast cells. When 10(5) PMC-derived cultured mast cells or 10(5) bone marrow-derived cultured mast cells were injected into the stomach wall of mast cell-deficient WBB6F1-W/Wv mice, mast cells that appeared in the mucosa and muscularis propria were similar to mast cells in the stomach of intact WBB6F1-(+/+) mice, indicating the injected cells adapted to a new tissue environment. In contrast, when 10(5) PMCs were injected into the stomach wall of WBB6F1-W/Wv mice, the injected PMCs did not adapt to the mucosa. When 20 PMCs were injected, they proliferated and adapted to the mucosal environment. The present results suggest that PMCs adapt to new environments when proliferation occurs before redifferentiation.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Influence of progesterone and oestrogen on growth and morphology of a transplantable rat uterine smooth muscle tumour (SMT-Y).

Tumours of uterine smooth muscle are poorly understood neoplasms in which the effects of steroid sex hormones are complex. The influence of progesterone and oestrogen on a transplantable rat uterine smooth muscle tumour line (SMT-Y) was investigated. Female F344 rats given subcutaneous transplants of tumour fragments developed tumours, 1.5-2 cm in diameter, and were then treated with progesterone (10 mg/rat) or 17 beta-oestradiol (50 mg/rat). Tumours in treated groups were compared with those in untreated controls. During a 9-week observation period after treatment, progesterone promoted tumour growth from 4 weeks, with increased numbers of proliferating cells. In contrast, oestradiol inhibited tumour growth from 6 weeks; the degraded tumours, consisting mainly of vacuolated neoplastic cells, had decreased numbers of proliferating cells and increased numbers of apoptotic cells, demonstrable by in-situ terminal deoxyribonucleotide transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick labelling. Immunohistochemically, tumours in control and progesterone groups were labelled positively for alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA) and desmin but not for vimentin, whereas the degraded tumours in the oestradiol group had reduced reactivity for SMA and desmin but an increased reactivity for vimentin. These results indicate that progesterone may act as a promoter for uterine smooth muscle tumour growth by stimulating mitotic activity, whereas oestrogen may have suppressive effects on tumour growth, accompanied by morphological changes.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

A longitudinal study of the growth and development of the dental arch width from childhood to adolescence in Japanese.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the longitudinal changes in arch width from childhood to adolescence. The subjects were 28 persons (13 males and 15 females) with untreated normal occlusion. Dental casts were taken at bimonthly intervals from childhood to adolescence. These materials were measured; the changes in the dental arch were compared on the basis of the status of the tooth emergence of certain permanent teeth and also on the chronological age from 3 years to 20 years of age. In the maxilla and mandibula, the width between the deciduous canines, the width between the first deciduous molars, and the width between the second deciduous molars were nearly stable or slightly increased until 6 years of age. After that, all of the deciduous tooth widths gradually increased, especially in the width between the deciduous canine at the emergence of the permanent incisors. The width between the canines decreased until 13 years of age in the maxilla and until 15 years of age in the mandibula. After that, the width between the canines were nearly stable. Until 1 year after emergence, the width between the canines decreased, in particular during the transition to the canines, based on dental age observation. The maxillary first premolar width decreased until 6 months after emergence, based on dental age observation. Thereafter, the width between the maxillary first premolars showed no clear change. The width between the mandibular first premolars, the width between the maxillary second premolars, and the width between the mandibular second premolars increased until about 2-3 years after emergence, but they showed no clear changes thereafter. The width between the maxillary first molars gradually increased until 15 years of age; there was no clear change thereafter. The width between the mandibular first molars was nearly stable throughout the observation period. The width between the maxillary second molars decreased until 2 years after emergence; no clear change was observed thereafter. The width between the mandibular second molars was unstable until after about 2-3 years after emergence and then became nearly stable.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Abnormal expression of mouse mast cell protease 5 gene in cultured mast cells derived from mutant mi/mi mice.

Mast cells contain a lot of mast cell-specific proteases. We have reported that the expression of mouse mast cell protease 6 (MMCP-6) is remarkably reduced in both cultured mast cells (CMCs) and skin mast cells of mi/mi mutant mice. In the present study, we found that the expression of MMCP-5 was reduced in CMCs but not in skin mast cells of mi/mi mice, and we compared the regulation mechanisms of MMCP-5 with those of MMCP-6. The mi locus encodes a member of the basic-helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper (bHLH-Zip) protein family of transcription factors (hereafter called MITF). The consensus sequence recognized and bound by bHLH-Zip transcription factors is CANNTG. The overexpression of the normal (+) MITF but not of mi-MITF normalized the poor expression of the MMCP-5 gene in mi/mi CMCs, indicating the involvement of +-MITF in transactivation of the MMCP-5 gene. Although +-MITF directly bound CANNTG motifs in the promoter region of the MMCP-6 gene and transactivated it, the binding of +-MITF to the CAGTTG motif in the promoter region of the MMCP-5 gene was not detectable. The +-MITF appeared to regulate the transactivation of the MMCP-5 gene indirectly. Moreover, addition of stem cell factor to the medium normalized the expression of the MMCP-5 but not of the MMCP-6 gene in mi/mi CMCs. Despite the significant reduction of both MMCP-5 and MMCP-6 expressions in mi/mi CMCs, their regulation mechanisms appeared to be different.

Animals↗