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Biomedical subjects

R Aihara

Publications and source records attributed to R Aihara.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Phase I/II study of S-1 combined with paclitaxel in patients with unresectable and/or recurrent advanced gastric cancer.

Both paclitaxel and S-1 are effective against gastric cancer, but the optimal regimen for combined chemotherapy with these drugs remains unclear. This phase I/II study was designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), recommended dose (RD), dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), and objective response rate of paclitaxel in combination with S-1. S-1 was administered orally at a fixed dose of 80 mg m-2 day-1 from days 1 to 14 of a 28-day cycle. Paclitaxel was given intravenously on days 1, 8, and 15, starting with a dose of 40 mg m-2 day-1. The dose was increased in a stepwise manner to 70 mg m-2. Treatment was repeated every 4 weeks unless disease progression was confirmed. In the phase I portion, 17 patients were enrolled. The MTD of paclitaxel was estimated to be 70 mg m-2 because 40% of the patients given this dose level (two of five) had DLT. The RD was determined to be 60 mg m-2. In the phase II portion, 24 patients, including five with assessable disease who received the RD in the phase I portion, were evaluated. The median number of treatment courses was six (range: 1-17). The incidence of the worst-grade toxicity in patients given the RD was 28 and 8%, respectively. All toxic effects were manageable. The response rate was 54.1%, and the median survival time was 15.5 months. Our phase I/II trial showed that S-1 combined with paclitaxel is effective and well tolerated in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Ghrelin does not stimulate gastrointestinal motility and gastric emptying: an experimental study of conscious dogs.

Ghrelin is a peptide that was discovered in endocrine cells of the stomach. However, its action in regulating the fasted and fed motor activity of the digestive tract is not fully understood. In the present study, we examined the effects of an intravenous (i.v.) injection of canine ghrelin on the physiological fasted and fed motor activities in the stomach, duodenum, jejunum and colon of freely moving conscious dogs. An i.v. injection of canine ghrelin released growth hormone in a dose-dependent manner; however, it did not stimulate the motor activity of the digestive tract in either the fasted or the fed state. Moreover, an i.v. injection of high-dose canine ghrelin significantly reduced the motility index in the gastric body in the fasted state. Ghrelin did not accelerate gastric emptying, either. These results differ from previous reports dealing with rodents. It is significant that such results were obtained in research with dogs, which are larger animals.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Clinical significance of mucin phenotype, beta-catenin and matrix metalloproteinase 7 in early undifferentiated gastric carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the clinical significance of mucin phenotypes of early undifferentiated gastric carcinoma, and to identify variables that might be used to select patients suitable for minimally invasive surgery. METHODS: A total of 129 patients with early undifferentiated gastric carcinoma were studied. The mucin phenotype was determined immunohistochemically using markers for M1, apomucin (MUC) 6 and MUC2. Tumours were classified into gastric (G), intestinal, gastrointestinal (GI) or unclassified type. Undifferentiated carcinomas were classified into signet-ring cell carcinoma (SIG) and non-SIG. The immunoreactivity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 7 and beta-catenin was also investigated. RESULTS: GI-type tumours more commonly expressed non-SIG than SIG histology. The GI phenotype was associated with a higher incidence of submucosal invasion, lymphatic invasion, MMP-7 expression and nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin than the G type. Non-SIG histology, and the combination of GI type and nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin were independent predictors of submucosal invasion. The combination of GI type and MMP-7 expression independently predicted lymphatic invasion. MMP-7 expression correlated with lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSION: GI-type early undifferentiated carcinomas and those with non-SIG histology had increased potential for invasion and metastasis. GI type, MMP-7 expression and nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin might prove useful markers in the selection of patients for less invasive surgery.

Cytoskeletal Proteins↗
PubMed2001

Emergency room thoracotomy for penetrating chest injury: effect of an institutional protocol.

BACKGROUND: Emergency room thoracotomy (ERT) can be life saving in patients with penetrating chest injury. A protocol was established at our institution stating that ERT be performed for cases of cardiac tamponade secondary to penetrating chest trauma on patients with vital signs/mentation in the field or on arrival to the emergency room. To validate our protocol, we reevaluated patients undergoing ERT at our institution. METHODS: In our retrospective review, there were 49 patients undergoing ERT over a 6-year period. RESULTS: Survival in patients with vital signs was approximately 50%. Survival in those without was 0%. Compared with the preprotocol data, the number of ERTs declined from 32.2 cases per year to 8.1 cases per year. Overall survival increased from 4% to 20%. Neurologic outcome remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: We believe that the data validate our protocol, and the establishment of a guideline has enabled us to maximize patient survival and minimize exposure risks to our staff.

Boston↗
PubMed1999

Tumor necrosis factor genetic polymorphisms correlate with infections after liver transplantation. NEMC TNF Study Group. New England Medical Center Tumor Necrosis Factor.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a pro-inflammatory mediator of the immune response to allogenic and infectious stimuli. Non-immunosuppressed individuals possessing a NcoI restriction enzyme site in the TNF gene locus produce less TNF-alpha in vitro and in vivo compared with individuals lacking this restriction site. We performed polymerase chain reaction amplification and restriction enzyme fragment length analysis of the TNF locus from 86 liver transplant recipients to determine if presence of the NcoI site is associated with the frequency of rejection or infection, time to rejection or infection, and patient and graft survival. We controlled for recipient primary diagnosis, age, sex, United Network for Organ Sharing status, year of transplant, type of immunosuppression, use of anti-lymphocyte agents, and graft ischemia time. Fifty-six recipients possessed the NcoI+/low TNF-alpha genotype and 30 were NcoI-/high TNF-alpha genotype. In the first year after transplant, there were no significant differences in the frequency, or time to first rejections or the overall number of rejection episodes between the two genotypes. NcoI+/low TNF-alpha genotype recipients had significantly more infections (1.52 vs. 0.87, P=0.014). In a linear regression, multivariate model controlling for all marginally significant variables, the NcoI+/low TNF-alpha genotype was still associated with significantly more infections (P=0.0031). Patient and graft survival were equal for the two groups. One implication of this study, in individuals genetically predetermined to be low TNF-alpha producers, is that additional inhibition of TNF-alpha production by routine immunosuppression may be excessive, rendering these individuals less able to respond to infectious stimuli. These patients may benefit from lower doses or withdrawal of corticosteroids.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Reduced thyroid-stimulating hormone response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone in autistic boys.

The thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin responses to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) were compared among four groups of boys--41 autistic, 12 mentally retarded (MR), 12 with minimal brain dysfunction (MBD) and five controls. The autistic boys were divided into two groups: DQ(IQ) greater than or equal to 80 and DQ(IQ) less than 80. Mean TSH basal and peak levels were significantly lower in both autistic groups than in the MR, MBD and control groups. Mean TSH peak value minus basal value (p-b) was significantly lower in both autistic groups than in the control group. Mean prolactin levels and p-b value did not differ among groups. It is suggested that there may be enhanced dopaminergic and/or reduced serotonergic activity in the central nervous system of autistic children, together with hypothalamic dysfunction.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
PubMed1989

[Neuroendocrinologic studies on autism].

The cause of autism is unknown. Recently, it has been suggested that it involves metabolic disorders of serotonin and/or dopamine. On the other hand, there is a close relationship between hormone secretion and monoamines. The aim of this study was to analyze the secretion of GH, PRL, TSH, cortisol, LH and FSH. The subjects were 30 children with autism, 25 males and 5 females, aged from 1 10/12 to 9 10/12 years. Their IQs (DQs) ranged from 34 to 123. Pituitary hormone secretion was measured during provocation with insulin (0.1 unit/kg), TRH (10 micrograms/kg) and/or LH-RH (100 micrograms/m2) in 26 of 30 cases. Control subjects included 16 age-matched children with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and 18 age-matched children with mental retardation (MR) without autistic and organic central nervous diseases. The 24-hour secretion rhythm of GH, PRL and cortisol for 14 cases with autism and of LH and FSH for 9 cases was also investigated. In insulin provocation test, the peak values of GH and delta GH (peak GH level minus baseline GH level) in ADD were significantly higher than those in MR (p less than 0.05). In TRH provocation test, the peak values of TSH and delta TSH in autism were significantly lower than those in MR. Five cases of autistic children revealed borderline responses for TSH, while the only one each of ADDs and MRs revealed borderline responses for TSH. In a study of the 24-hour hormone secretion rhythm, eleven of the 14 autistic children showed an abnormal secretion rhythm.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
PubMed1986

[Clinical experience with cefixime in the pediatric field].

Cefixime (CFIX) was given orally to 25 children with acute bacterial infections including 13 with acute tonsillitis, 1 with acute tonsillitis and cervical lymphadenitis, 1 with acute bronchitis, 5 with bronchopneumonia and 5 with urinary tract infection. Good to excellent clinical response was obtained in 23, and bacteriological response was obtained in 14 of the 16 children who underwent bacteriological tests. Side effects with soft stool or eosinophilia were observed in 1 child each. The flavor and odor of CFIX appeared to be well accepted by children. Our clinical experience has suggested the usefulness of this antibiotic for the treatment of various bacterial pediatric infections.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1985

[Clinical experience with aztreonam in the pediatric field].

Aztreonam (AZT) was given intravenously to 20 children with the following acute bacterial infections: 13 cases of bronchopneumonia, 5 cases of urinary tract infection, 1 case of cervical lymphadenitis with acute tonsillitis and 1 case of acute enteritis. Clinical effectiveness was obtained in 17 cases of 20 cases and bacteriological effectiveness in 10 strains out of 11 strains. No side effect was observed except for 2 cases with eruption, 1 case with slight elevation of GPT, 1 case with slight elevation of GOT and 1 case with slight elevation of GOT and GPT. From the above clinical results, it is apparent that AZT is a useful antibiotic for treating pediatric patients with various kinds of bacterial infections.

Acute Disease↗