PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Koji Inoue

Publications and source records attributed to Koji Inoue.

45 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Vascular endothelial growth factor and proinflammatory cytokines in pleural effusions.

To evaluate the predictive value of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the differential diagnosis of pleuritis and its association with other proinflammatory cytokines in pleural effusion, we measured VEGF together with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) in pleural effusions. We investigated 127 patients with pleural effusion (congestive heart failure: 21; parapneumonic: 27; tuberculous: 41; malignant: 38). We examined standard parameters of pleural effusion and measured pleural effusion VEGF, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and sICAM-1 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. VEGF level was significantly higher in malignant effusion than in other groups. TNF-alpha level was significantly higher in tuberculous pleurisy than in other groups. In tuberculous pleurisy VEGF level showed significant positive correlations with mononuclear cell counts and all investigated cytokines. The sensitivity and specificity of VEGF in the diagnosis of malignancy was 100 and 84%, respectively (cutoff = 2000 pg/ml). The sensitivity and specificity of VEGF and TNF-alpha in the diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy (VEGF titer <2000 pg/ml and TNF-alpha titer > 55 pg/ml) was 88.9 and 77.1%, respectively. We propose that measurement of VEGF together with TNF-alpha is helpful in differentiating between tuberculous pleurisy and malignant pleural effusion and that VEGF correlates with proinflammatory cytokines especially in tuberculous pleurisy. We also propose that measurement of pleural VEGF is helpful for the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

A feasibility study of paclitaxel 225 mg/m(2) and carboplatin AUC = 6 in untreated advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients in Japan.

BACKGROUND: The combination of paclitaxel (225 mg/m(2), 3 h infusion) and carboplatin [area under the curve (AUC) 6 mg/ml x min] is used widely for non-small cell lung cancer in the USA and is one of the standard regimens in the Southwest Oncology Group. In Japan, however, the upper limit of the approved dose for single-use paclitaxel is 210 mg/m(2) and the optimum dose of this agent in combination with carboplatin has not yet been established. This study was designated to determine whether the paclitaxel dose of 225 mg/m(2 ) plus carboplatin (AUC = 6) is tolerable for Japanese patients with untreated advanced non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS: Ten patients were enrolled between October 1999 and June 2000 and all of these patients were evaluable for toxicity. Chemotherapy consisted of carboplatin (AUC = 6 mg/ml x min) and 225 mg/m(2 )of paclitaxel on day 1 every 3 weeks. RESULTS: Neutropenia was the major toxicity and grade 4 neutropenia was observed in seven of the 10 patients (70%), but febrile neutropenia was not observed. Grade 4 anemia as a dose-limiting toxicity was observed in two patients. This was due to gastric ulcer bleeding in both patients. Only one patient experienced grade 3 peripheral neuropathy. No grade 3 or more myalgia or arthralgia was reported. Overall, 44 courses of chemotherapy were administered in 10 patients. Partial responses were observed in six of the 10 patients (60%). Median survival time was 7.7 months. CONCLUSION: Paclitaxel at 225 mg/m(2) in a 3 h infusion and carboplatin AUC = 6 appears to be tolerable in Japanese patients with untreated advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Phase I study of weekly irinotecan combined with weekly cisplatin in patients with advanced solid tumors.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported a synergistic effect between irinotecan and cisplatin. We have conducted a phase I trial combining these agents to find the optimal dose of irinotecan in combination with a fixed dose of cisplatin. METHODS: Patients with advanced solid tumors, aged < or =75 years, performance status < or =2, and adequate organ function were enrolled in this study. They were treated at 4-week intervals with irinotecan plus 20 mg/m(2) cisplatin on days 1, 8, and 15. The starting dose of irinotecan of 40 mg/m(2) was escalated in 10 mg/m(2) increments until a maximum dose of 90 mg/m(2) was reached. RESULTS: The recommended dose for phase II studies is 90 mg/m(2) of irinotecan and 20 mg/m(2) of cisplatin on days 1, 8, and 15. Overall response to the chemotherapy was 35% (95% confidential interval, 19.2-54.6%). CONCLUSION: This combination seems to be active against lung cancer with acceptable toxicity. A phase II study is now ongoing.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Diverse adaptability in oryzias species to high environmental salinity.

The genus Oryzias containing freshwater (FW) and seawater (SW) species is a potential model for studying mechanisms of osmotic adaptation. In this study, we compared SW adaptability of four Oryzias species, O. javanicus, O. dancena, O. latipes and O. marmoratus inhabiting different osmotic environments. SW adaptability was evaluated at several stages of the lifecycle: (i) survival rates of adult fish after transfer from FW to 50%SW or SW, (ii) spawning ability in FW and SW, (iii) fertilization rates in FW and SW, and (iv) hatching rates in FW, 50%SW and SW. Results obtained agreed with the natural habitat of each species: O. javanicus, which inhabits SW or brackish water (BW), is fully adaptable to both SW and FW at all the stages examined. The BW species O. dancena also revealed high SW adaptability except for the hatching rate. O. marmoratus, confined in FW, exhibited low SW adaptability at all stages examined while O. latipes, another FW species, was adaptable to SW at most stages examined. Based on these results, the role of SW adaptability to the distribution area of each species is discussed.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2002

Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia due to visceral larva migrans.

A 38-year-old woman presented with worsening cough, blood eosinophilia, and pulmonary infiltrates. Bronchoalveolar lavage showed 96.4% eosinophils. The diagnosis of visceral larva migrans (VLM) was made based on the positive results in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for Toxocara canis together with clinical symptoms and laboratory data. Pulmonary infiltrates due to VLM generally manifest as a transient form of Löffler's syndrome or simple eosinophilic pneumonia mainly in children. Here we report an adult case of VLM, with pulmonary infiltrates pathologically proven to be eosinophilic pneumonia, which persisted for 7 weeks before anthelmintic treatment with albendazole and manifested as chronic eosinophilic pneumonia.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Questionnaire about impression and knowledge of tuberculosis in employees and students in a university hospital].

The aim of the study is to search the efficient way for the prevention of nosocomial tuberculosis (TB) infection in a university teaching hospital. Through a questionnaire, informations on the degree of interest in TB, on the way how they try to learn about TB infection, and on basic knowledge of TB epidemiology were obtained. The study subjects were most employees including physicians, nursing staffs, medical technicians, pharmacists, clerks as well as medical and dental students, who were younger than 40 years. The study was done from 1999 through 2001, and a total of 2,159 questionnaires in which age, sex and occupational category were completely described were analyzed. Out of total participants, 61.8% participants showed interest in TB, however, only 3.0% had actually attended lecture meeting or collected materials on TB infection. Out of 619 nursing staffs, 431 (69.6%) felt anxiety for TB infection and the disease, and it was significantly higher than the other occupational groups. Of 2,159 participants, 1,472 (68.2%) participants desired to have health examination for TB. On the other hand, less than 50% participants including physicians answered correctly to questions about basic knowledge of TB epidemiology. Through the present study, it was suggested that employees and students in a university hospital do not voluntarily learn about TB, or do not have enough knowledge on TB in spite of their anxiety or interest, but that they are well prepared to obtain essential informations on the prevention of TB infection. Thus, it would be worthwhile to establish a system of education and health examination for the prevention of nosocomial TB infection. On the other hand, the degree of interest in and anxiety about TB in clerical employees was relatively low. Since they have some risk of TB infection through a service at window, the strengthening of health education on TB for them would be necessary.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Two cases of renal cell carcinoma with ascites after interleukin-2 therapy].

One of the most common and problematic side effects of interleukin-2 therapy (IL-2) is vascular leak syndrome (VLS). VLS is characterized by an increase in vascular permeability accompanied by extravasation of fluids and proteins from the capillary vessels into the tissues resulting in interstitial edema, weight gain, pleural effusion, ascites in severe form, multiple organ failure. We, herein, report two cases of VLS, which occurred following IL-2 therapy against metastatic renal cell carcinoma. One of them died of multiple organ failure one month after the cessation of IL-2 therapy.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2002

[A case of sarcoidosis and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura accompanied with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis].

A 54-year-old woman with a 21-year history of sarcoidosis was admitted to our hospital with dyspnea on exertion, weight loss, and the appearance of consolidation in chest radiographs. The serum level of soluble IL-2 receptor was high, and CT findings demonstrated mediastinal, hilar and abdominal lymphadenopathy. The histological findings of subpleural consolidation in a transbronchial lung biopsy of the left lung showed giant cells; and those of a CT-assisted biopsy of a retroperitoneal lymph node revealed non-caseous epithelioid cell granulomas. After the biopsy, severe thrombocytopenia (6,000/microliter) developed. With prednisolone treatment, the platelet count rose to normal and the subpleural consolidation on chest radiography was improved. Five weeks later, the had a productive cough with fever, rapidly progressive cavitary lesions and consolidation on chest radiography. Aspergillus fumigatus was detected in the sputum by PCR, and Aspergillus antigen was detected in the serum. She died of progressive respiratory failure, in spite of therapy with amphotericin B and itraconazole. We report a rare case of sarcoidosis and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura accompanied with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.

Aspergillosis↗