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Naoki Itoh

Publications and source records attributed to Naoki Itoh.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

The protein encoded by cancer/testis gene D40/AF15q14 is localized in spermatocytes, acrosomes of spermatids and ejaculated spermatozoa.

We have previously identified and cloned a human gene, D40, that is preferentially expressed in testis among normal organs, while it is widely expressed in various human tumor cell lines and primary tumors derived from different organs. In this report, we have examined the expression and localization of this protein in human testis with an antibody specific to D40 protein. In Western analyses, the anti-D40 antibody recognized a major band with a molecular mass of 300 kDa and a minor band of 250 kDa. These bands were not observed in the testis lysates from patients with Sertoli-cell-only syndrome and with Kleinfelter syndrome, who lack germ cells of the testis, indicating that D40 protein is expressed in the germ cells of normal testis. Immunohistochemical studies have revealed that D40 protein is highly expressed in spermatocytes and in the pre-acrosome of round spermatids. In the acrosome, D40 protein expression is observed not inside but outside the acrosome membrane. This is consistent with the finding that the amino-acid sequence at the amino terminal of the D40 protein lacks a hydrophobic signal peptide that is required for proteins to translocate to the membrane. Expression of D40 protein is observed in the acrosome of ejaculated spermatozoa as well, although the level is low compared with that in the pre-acrosome of spermatids. These results suggest that D40 protein plays important roles in spermatogenesis, especially in the formation and maintenance of the acrosome.

Acrosome↗
PubMed2004

[Analysis of clinical manifestations and endocrinological aspects of patients having PADAM-like symptoms].

PURPOSE: To analyze clinical manifestations and endocrinological aspects of the patients who visited our hospital to be examined for partial androgen deficiency in the aging male (PADAM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred forty-three patients were evaluated. History taking and questionnaires were employed for analysis of their symptoms. Serum total testosterone (T), free-T and other hormones were measured for evaluation of the androgen deficiency. RESULTS: The chief complains of the patients were categorized as psychological symptoms, somatovegatative symptoms, and sexual symptoms, accounting for 51%, 36%, and 13%, respectively. A depressed mood, hot flashes and sweating and erectile dysfunction were dominant in these symptom categories, respectively. The prevalence of the psychological symptoms and somatovegatative symptoms was relatively high in the 30-50-year-old and 60-70-year-old groups, respectively. The free-T, but not total-T, was significantly decreased with aging as measured by the RIA method. Twenty one percent of the patients showed a lower total-T level than the normal range (2.7-10.7 ng/ml). The percentage of those with a total-T level lower than 2.0 ng/dl, which is the criterion for T-replacement recommended by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists guidelines, was 9%. Eighty two percent and 30% of the patients had lower free-T levels than the normal range (15.2-43.5 pg/ml) and that of men in their twenties in the Canadian data (9.3-26.5 pg/ml). Depending on the criteria of androgen deficiency, not all patients had low total-T and free-T levels. CONCLUSION: Patients suspected of having PADAM present various clinical symptoms and endocrinological aspects.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[XX 'pure' gonadal dysgenesis and XYY syndrome].

XX 'pure' gonadal dysgenesis is a disease related to Turner's syndrome. Patients of this disease are characterized by normal female external genitalia, bilateral streak gonads, amenorrhea and sexual infantilism. Recently, it has been reported that point mutations of the FSH receptor gene may be one of cause of this disease. The relationship between criminal behavior and XYY syndrome is still controversial. Increased incidence of disomic sperm in 47,XYY males has been reported by fluorescent in situ hybridization(FISH). Genetic counseling should be done when they undergo intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Female↗
PubMed2004

Partial nephrectomy for small localized renal cell carcinoma.

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 54 patients with RCC who underwent partial nephrectomy for the primary lesion between 1992 and 2001. The indications for partial nephrectomy were elective in 43 and imperative in 11 patients. We selected 51 patients with clinical stage T1a who underwent open radical nephrectomy for localized RCC for comparison during the same period. We evaluated the peri- and postoperative complications, disease-free survival rates and changes of renal function in the partial nephrectomy (PN) group, compared to the radical nephrectomy (RN) group. There was no significant difference with regard to pathological findings and clinical outcomes between two groups, except for the amount of intraoperative bleeding. Three patients in the PN group developed postoperative complications, consisting of urine leakage in 2 patients and renal hypertension in 1 patient. The 5-year disease-free survival rates in the PN and RN groups were 90% and 97%, respectively. Local recurrence from the resected area of the renal parenchyma was not found in patients in the PN group. All patients in the PN group maintained satisfactory and stable renal function. In the RN group, renal function slowly deteriorated in 2 patients. Therefore, partial nephrectomy offers cancer control and an acceptable low mortality rate, comparable to those of radical nephrectomy.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Erosion of an inflatable penile prosthesis due to autoinflation.

A 59-year-old man presented with erosion of an inflatable penile prosthesis. The cylinders were not deflated and the right one protruded from the urethra. Autoinflation that causes failure of deflation is an annoying and embarrassing mechanical failure. This failure may cause intraurethral erosion of the prosthesis. Urologists should inform their patients who hope for implantation of an inflatable prosthesis of this potential adverse event prior to surgery.

Humans↗
PubMed2003

Isolation and 18S ribosomal DNA gene sequences of Marteilioides chungmuensis (Paramyxea), an ovarian parasite of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas.

To develop sensitive detection techniques with the aim of elucidating the life cycle of Marteilioides chungmuensis, an intracellular paramyxean infecting the ovary of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas, we isolated the parasite at the sporont stage from infected oysters using a freeze-thaw procedure at -20 degrees C and differential centrifugations in discontinuous sucrose and Percoll gradients. DNA was extracted from the isolated sporonts, and a PCR amplicon of 18S small subunit ribosomal RNA gene DNA was partially sequenced. In situ hybridization using 3 parasite-specific probes designed from the obtained sequence successfully detected parasite cells in infected oysters, and confirmed that the sequenced DNA was derived from M. chungmuensis.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Efficacy of an RNA detection test kit in the diagnosis of genital chlamydial infection.

A nucleic acid amplification method based on DNA detection, the current standard method for the diagnosis of genital infection by Chlamydia trachomatis, has been shown to potentially yield false-positive results after treatment in the clinical setting. RNA detection methods are more appropriate because viable organisms have multiple RNA copies that are surely detected by the method. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of a new RNA detection test kit, the VIDAS PROBE CT test, in the diagnosis of genital chlamydial infection. For comparison, the standard DNA detection method, Amplicor STD-I, was also used in the study. First voided-urine samples and urethral smears from male patients with urethritis, and first voided-urine samples and cervical smears from female patients with cervicitis served as samples for the detection of C. trachomatis. Of the 60 first voided-urine samples from male patients, 21 were positive and 39 negative with the VIDAS PROBE CT test. Amplicor STD-I achieved exactly the same result. In female patients with cervicitis, the two test kits produced the same result, with 2 positive cervical smears and 38 negative. These results suggest that the VIDAS PROBE CT test is as efficient as Amplicor STD-I in the detection of C. trachomatis. While studies including a greater number of patients will be needed for revealing the unique advantages of the new RNA detection test kit, VIDAS PROBE CT, we concluded from the current study that the test may be clinically useful in the diagnosis of genital chlamydial infection.

Chlamydia Infections↗
PubMed2003

Direct evidence of facilitative actions of dopamine in the medial preoptic area on reflexive and noncontact erections in male rats.

PURPOSE: We examined the effects of alterations of the extracellular dopamine level in the medial preoptic area on 2 erectile contexts, namely reflexive and noncontact erections, in male rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The extracellular dopamine level was measured in the medial preoptic area after administering the dopamine reuptake inhibitor bupropion hydrochloride (Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, Missouri) into the same area through a micro-dialysis tube. We measured the frequency and latency of reflexive erections, and the frequency of noncontact erection during infusion of bupropion. RESULTS: Administration of 10 mM. bupropion was associated with significant elevation in the extracellular dopamine level in the medial preoptic area. Bupropion (1 mM.) and Ringer's solution did not induce significant alterations in dopamine in the medial preoptic area. The number of reflexive erections significantly increased and erection latency decreased during infusion of 10 mM. bupropion into the medial preoptic area. The number of noncontact erections was also increased by administering 10 mM. of drug. CONCLUSIONS: The altered dopamine level in the medial preoptic area affected 2 distinct penile erectile contexts, suggesting that the dopamine levels in the medial preoptic area may be involved in the regulation of erection. These results may have important implications for the central regulation of penile erection.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Lower urinary tract symptoms of men seeking medical care--comparison of symptoms found in the clinical setting and in a community study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate which lower urinary tract symptoms were most influential in causing men to seek medical care. METHODS: We evaluated the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality-of-life (QOL) score of 235 outpatients having lower urinary tract symptoms and 242 participants in a community-based study of Japanese men aged 50 to 79 years old. RESULTS: Although the proportion of outpatients in the severe IPSS category (IPSS 20 to 35) was greater than that in the participants of the community-based study in each age decade, the proportion in the moderate IPSS category (IPSS 8 to 19) in both groups overlapped each other. On the other hand, the distribution of QOL scores was considerably different, with only a small portion of overlap in each age decade. Although scores for both voiding symptoms (incomplete emptying, intermittency, weak stream, and hesitancy) and storage symptoms (increased frequency, urgency, and nocturia) were significantly greater in outpatients than in study participants in each age decade, the difference was more obvious for voiding symptoms than for storage symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The QOL score appeared to show more pronounced differences between men in a clinic setting and those in a community setting than the IPSS category. Voiding symptoms may affect medical care-seeking behavior through QOL impairment in Japanese men.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2003

Cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis and growth rate of incidentally found renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Our previous study showed that the growth rate of incidentally found renal cell carcinoma (RCC) varied, and that the initial clinical and pathological features did not predict subsequent growth of the carcinoma. The objective of this study was to determine the relationships between cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis and the growth rates of these RCC. METHODS: We examined cell proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis in 16 incidentally found cases of RCC. Cell proliferation was assessed by immunohistochemical staining with a Ki-67 antibody. Apoptosis was assessed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) mediated deoxy-UTP biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique. The Ki-67 labeling index (KI) and the apoptotic index (AI) were determined as the ratio of immunohistochemically positive cells per 1000 cancer cells. The KI/AI ratio was also determined. Angiogenesis was evaluated by CD34 immunostaining. Finally, we investigated the correlation between these parameters and the growth rate of primary lesions of incidentally found RCC. RESULTS: The KI ranged from 7 to 73 (median, 20), AI ranged from 6 to 171 (median, 26), and microvessel density (MVD) ranged from 21 to 673 (median, 265) for incidentally found RCC. Ki-67 labeling index, AI and MVD were not closely correlated to each other. Furthermore, these parameters were not associated with growth rates of incidentally found RCC. Only the KI/AI ratio was strongly correlated to the growth rate of incidentally found RCC (r = 0.709; P = 0.0083). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis partly determines the growth rate of primary lesions of incidentally found RCC.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

External beam radiation monotherapy for localized or locally advanced prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: We report the treatment results and complications of external beam radiation monotherapy for localized or locally advanced prostate cancer patients. METHODS: Fifty-four patients with T(1b-3a)N(0)(pN(0))M(0) prostate cancer were treated with external beam radiation monotherapy between 1989 and 2001 at four institutes. RESULTS: During the 4-122 month follow-up period (median: 25 months), 11 (20%) patients experienced biochemical failure, including one with simultaneous local recurrence. The 2-year actuarial biochemical control rate was 85%. Univariate analysis showed that the clinical T classification (P = 0.01), Gleason score (P = 0.006), pretreatment PSA (P = 0.02) and PSA nadir value (P = 0.01) were associated with a higher probability of biochemical failure. Multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated that only the PSA nadir value was a strong predictor of PSA recurrence (P < 0.01). Adverse events were mild and tolerable. No severe urinary or bowel complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: External beam radiation monotherapy is effective for clinically organ-confined prostate cancer with a low incidence of severe complications in a mean follow-up period of 2 years.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Clinical aspects of partial androgen deficiency of aging male (PADAM)].

PADAM (partial androgen deficiency of aging male) is a biochemical syndrome associated with a deficiency in serum androgen levels. PADAM is characterized by diminished sexual function, decrease in spatial orientation ability, lean body mass and bone mineral density and increase in visceral fat. The measurement of serum total and/or free testosterone is acceptable to evaluate serum androgen levels. During androgen replacement treatment, several adverse effects including prostate safety, liver function, polycythemia and sleep apnea should be periodically monitored.

English Abstract↗
PubMed2002

Introduction of a hydroxy group at the para position and N-iodophenylation of N-arylamides using phenyliodine(III) bis(trifluoroacetate).

The reaction of anilides with phenyliodine(III) bis(trifluoroacetate) (PIFA) in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), TFA-CHCl3, or hexafluoroisopropyl alcohol (HFIP) is described. When the acyl group of the anilide is highly electronegative, such as trifluoroacetyl, or the phenyl group is substituted with an electron-withdrawing group, the 4-iodophenyl group is transferred from PIFA to the amide nitrogen to afford acetyldiarylamines. On the other hand, when the acyl group contains an electron-donating function, such as 4-methoxyphenyl, or the phenyl group is substituted with an electron-donating group, a trifluoroacetoxy group is transferred to the para position of the anilide aromatic ring. This group is hydrolyzed during workup to produce the corresponding phenol.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

National institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index for Japanese men.

OBJECTIVES: To establish a Japanese version of the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) and to determine its validity and applicability in patients with chronic prostatitis, comparing the results with those from patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and normal men. METHODS: The study included 103 patients with chronic prostatitis, 60 with BPH, and 87 normal men who agreed to respond to a self-administered questionnaire of the Japanese version of the NIH-CPSI (JPN-NIH-CPSI). Testing-retesting was done to confirm the reliability of the index in 23 patients with chronic prostatitis, with a 2-week interval between tests. RESULTS: Pain or discomfort was more prominent in the prostatitis group than in the BPH and normal groups. Overall, quality of life in the prostatitis group was impaired more severely than that in the other two groups. The scores of three domains (pain, urinary symptoms, and quality-of-life impact) in the prostatitis group were clearly higher than those in the BPH and normal groups, except for those of urinary symptoms in the BPH group. The test-retest analysis showed good reliability and internal consistency for the JPN-NIH-CPSI, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of more than 0.8. CONCLUSIONS: The JPN-NIH-CPSI can be reliably used for evaluation of Japanese patients with prostatitis, as is the NIH-CPSI for English-speaking men.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed2002

Recurrence of renal cell carcinoma more than 5 years after nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated clinical features and predictive factors for the recurrence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) developing more than 5 years after nephrectomy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 239 patients with RCC who underwent surgery for the primary lesion. To identify factors that affected recurrence more than 5 years after nephrectomy (delayed recurrence) and its clinical outcomes, we performed a multivariate analysis using Cox's proportional hazards model and a survival study. RESULTS: Recurrence developing within 5 years after nephrectomy (early recurrence) was found in 57 patients and delayed recurrence in 11 patients. The multivariate analysis revealed no clinical and pathologic features influencing delayed recurrence in 114 patients who survived more than 5 years after nephrectomy without having early recurrence. The patients with delayed recurrence showed better clinical outcomes than those with early recurrence when the rate was determined from the time of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Although delayed recurrence is not a rare event for patients with RCC, no clinical and pathologic factors at the time of the initial treatment can predict the recurrence. Patients who are free of recurrence for more than 5 years after surgery for a primary lesion should be carefully followed up for delayed recurrence.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Does transurethral resection of the prostate facilitate detection of clinically significant prostate cancer that is missed with systematic sextant and transition zone biopsies?

BACKGROUND: A prospective study was conducted to determine whether transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) facilitates detection of prostate cancer that is missed with systematic sextant biopsies associated with transition zone (TZ) biopsies. METHODS: A total of 139 consecutive patients underwent transperineal TZ biopsies of each lobe in addition to a transrectal systematic sextant peripheral zone (PZ) biopsy. Patients whose biopsies were negative for cancer received TURP for relief of lower urinary tract obstruction when indicated. RESULTS: Cancer was detected in biopsy specimens of 40 patients. Of these cancers, 18 originated in the PZ alone and 22 were located both in the TZ and the PZ. No cancers were detected in the TZ alone. Of 99 patients who were proven not to have cancer by the biopsies, 18 were indicated for TURP. Five of these patients (28%) had cancer in the resected tissues. All cancers were clinically organ confined and their Gleason sum scores were 2-5. Cancer-positive chips accounted for less than 10% of all resected specimens. Of the 66 patients with negative biopsies and without indication for TURP, four (6%) were revealed to have an elevation of the serum PSA level during follow up. They were later proven to have cancer by a second biopsy. CONCLUSION: Routine use of TZ biopsy is not warranted for detection of cancer. Transurethral resection of the prostate can detect cancers in patients with negative PZ and TZ biopsies. However, cancers detected by TURP may not always be clinically significant and only four of 66 patients who were not indicated for TURP and received a close follow up were later found to have cancer, although their follow-up period was short. Thus, it still remains to be elucidated whether TURP is necessary for all patients with negative biopsies of the prostate.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Erosion of a penile prosthesis due to an indwelling urethral catheter as a late complication.

A case of erosion of a penile prosthesis caused by indwelling of a catheter in the urethra is reported. A 73-year-old man had maintained sexual intercourse with penile prostheses (Jonas prosthesis, 19 cm) for 11 years without any complications until he developed cerebral infarction. One month after starting an indwelling urethral catheter in a neurosurgery clinic, the left-side penile prosthesis eroded from the area of the fossa navicularis, and was immediately removed. This type of complication is not unusual in patients with a neurogenic bladder. However, it is not well recognized in patients who suddenly develop a neurogenic bladder following a long-term uneventful period after the implantation of penile prostheses. Therefore, urologists should inform patients who receive this type of treatment that erosion of the prosthesis may develop when they need an indwelling urethral catheter as a late complication.

Aged↗