PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T Eguchi

Publications and source records attributed to T Eguchi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Is extended lymph node dissection necessary for gastric cancer in elderly patients?

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcome after limited and extended gastric resections to find out whether extended lymph node dissection is indicated for gastric cancer in elderly patients. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University hospital, Japan. SUBJECTS: 182 patients over 75 years of age with gastric cancer who had gastric resections from 1980 to 1995. INTERVENTIONS: 161 patients had limited lymph node dissection (limited group) and 21 had extended lymph node dissection (extended group). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Histopathological features, morbidity, mortality, and long-term survival. RESULTS: Postoperative morbidity was 27% (n = 44) in the limited group and 57% (n = 12) in the extended group, and postoperative mortality was 1% (n = 2) in the limited group and 10% (n = 2) in the extended group; these differences are significant (p = 0.005 and p = 0.002). The 5-year survival did not differ significantly between the two groups. Only the T classification and presence of lymph node metastases had a significant influence on the outcome of gastric cancer in elderly patients. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of lymph node metastases is a critical factor in the prognosis of gastric cancer, and extended lymph node dissection has therefore been recommended. However, extended lymph node dissection in elderly patients did not influence the 5-year survival; in addition, the mortality and morbidity in the extended group were higher than in the limited group. Extended lymph node dissection is therefore usually not indicated for gastric cancer in elderly patients.

Gastrectomy↗
PubMed2000

Desulfovirga adipica gen. nov., sp. nov., an adipate-degrading, gram-negative, sulfate-reducing bacterium.

A novel, mesophilic, Gram-negative bacterium was isolated from an anaerobic digestor for municipal wastewater. The bacterium degraded adipate in the presence of sulfate, sulfite, thiosulfate and elemental sulfur. (E)-2-Hexenedioate accumulated transiently in the degradation of adipate. (E)-2-Hexenedioate, (E)-3-hexenedioate, pyruvate, lactate, C1-C12 straight-chain fatty acids and C2-C10 straight-chain primary alcohols were also utilized as electron donors. 3-Phenylpropionate was oxidized to benzoate. The G + C content of the DNA was 60 mol%. 16S rDNA sequence analysis revealed that the new isolate clustered with species of the genus Syntrophobacter and Desulforhabdus amnigenus. Strain TsuAS1T resembles Desulforhabdus amnigenus DSM 10338T with respect to the ability to utilize acetate as an electron donor and the inability to utilize propionate without sulfate in co-culture with Methanospirillum hungatei DSM 864. Strains TsuAS1T and DSM 10338T form a 'non-syntrophic subcluster' within the genus Syntrophobacter. Desulfovirga adipica gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed for the newly isolated bacterium, with strain TsuAS1T (= DSM 12016T) as the type strain.

Adipates↗
PubMed2000

Synthesis of NG-061 and its analogs, and their biological evaluation as an enhancer of nerve growth factor.

A novel potentiator of nerve growth factor (NGF), NG-061, which had been isolated from the fermentation broth of Penicillium minioluteum F-4627, was synthesized from methoxybenzoquinone and phenylacetylhydrazine in a single step. A series of acyl hydrazone derivatives were also synthesized and their potentiator activity of neurotrophic effect of NGF on neurite outgrowth was evaluated by assay with a rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC12.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Characterization of a phage resistance plasmid, pLKS, of silage-making Lactobacillus plantarum NGRI0101.

Phage contamination has resulted in abnormal fermentation in silage. We isolated a phage-resistant strain, Lactobacillus plantarum NGRI0101 from silage. The strain carried two plasmids, pLKL (6.8 kb) and pLKS (2.0 kb). By curing and retransformation of the plasmids, we clarified that pLKS has phage resistant activity, characterized as no adsorption inhibition. pLKS has 2,025 bp and three orfs, orfl23, orf132, and orf918. The predicted amino acid sequence of the orf918 product showed high similarity to those of Rep proteins of Pediococcus halophilus plasmid pUCL287 and Lactobacillus acidophilus plasmid pLA103. The replication origin (ori) was upstream from orf918. There was no gene similar to typical phage resistant genes encoded by known plasmids. The phage resistance of L. plantarum NGRI0101 may possibly be due to a plasmid-encoded abortive infection.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Plasma concentrations of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, benazepril, and its active metabolite, benazeprilat, after repeated administrations of benazepril in dogs with experimental kidney impairment.

In order to examine the safety of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor in dogs with impaired renal excretion route, benazepril was administered orally, and plasma concentrations of benazeprilat, the active metabolite of benazepril, were determined in dogs with renal mass reduction (1/4th kidney) created by right-side nephrectomy and ligation of branches of the left renal arteries. Five dogs were administered benazepril orally at a given dose (0.5 mg/kg body weight) and 4 other dogs received 20 times that dose (10 mg/kg body weight) once daily for 15 consecutive days before (intact kidney period) and after (1/4th kidney period) creation of kidney impairment. Six control dogs received surgical treatment, but no drug. After creating a 1/4th kidney, plasma urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations increased to approximately 30 mg/dl and 2.0 mg/dl, respectively, and renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate decreased to 37% and 30% of pre-treatment values, respectively. However, these parameters did not change significantly during the 1/4th kidney period both in the 0.5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg groups. In the 0.5 mg/kg group, plasma benazeprilat concentrations increased to approximately 20 ng/ml to 340 ng/ml 2 hr after each administration, and there were no significant differences between the plasma benazeprilat concentrations during the intact and 1/4th kidney periods. In the 10 mg/kg group, plasma benazeprilat concentrations varied in the individual dog, but did not increase with the days of administration, and were not significantly different on each administration day between the intact and 1/4th kidney periods in either dose group. The AUCs(0-24) of plasma benazeprilat concentrations determined on the 15th administration day were not different between the intact and 1/4th kidney periods in dogs of either dose group. Plasma ACE activities decreased after drug administration in dogs of both groups. Benazepril seemed to have a high safety, and the adjustment of dosage regimen might not be needed in dogs with mild to moderate renal function impairment because the drug was excreted both from the kidneys and liver.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗
PubMed2000

Benign aqueductal cyst causing bilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia after external ventricular drainage. Case report.

The introduction of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to the field of neuroimaging has allowed detection of various lesions that cause aqueductal stenosis. The authors report the case of a 3-year-old boy in whom a benign ventricular cyst developed in the aqueduct. The patient became drowsy after having complained of headache and vomiting; MR imaging revealed mild triventricular dilation and a normal-sized fourth ventricle. Repeated MR imaging performed 1 week later revealed an aqueductal cyst that had markedly enlarged during the intervening period. An external ventricular drainage system was installed, but recovery of consciousness in the child was unsatisfactory and a new bilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia developed. Fenestration of the cyst wall and placement of a ventriculocisternostomy in the third ventricle were performed simultaneously by using a flexible neuroendoscope. By 2 weeks postsurgery, the patient's neurological symptoms had completely resolved. This case illustrates that simple rerouting of ventricular cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can aggravate the symptoms of this rare lesion by causing severe compression of periaqueductal structures by a cyst that maintains a high intracystic pressure. Endoscopic surgery was an excellent choice of treatment to achieve both cyst fenestration and normalization of intracranial CSF pressure by creating a ventriculocisternostomy.

Cerebral Aqueduct↗
PubMed2000

Butirosin-biosynthetic gene cluster from Bacillus circulans.

Butirosin is an interesting 2-deoxystreptamine (DOS)-containing aminoglycoside antibiotic produced by non-actinomycete Bacilli. Recently we were successful in purification of 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose synthase from butirosin-producer Bacillus circulans as the key enzyme for the biosynthesis of DOS, in cloning of the responsible gene (btrC), and in its overexpression in Escherichia coli. The present study involved gene-walking approach, which allowed us to find a gene cluster around btrC. The function of each gene was further investigated by gene disruption, and the disruptants of btrB, btrC, btrD and btrM showed no antibiotic producing activity. Therefore, the gene cluster found so far was determined to be a part of the butirosin biosynthetic gene cluster. Functions of some ORFs are also discussed in terms of butirosin biosynthesis on the basis of database search.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

[Testicular sarcoidosis].

We report a rare case of testicular sarcoidosis. A 68-year-old man was admitted for detailed examination of uveitis and swelling of the testes. A chest X-ray film and computed tomographic scans disclosed ground-glass shadows in the lower fields of both lungs with mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Ga scintigram showed pronounced accumulations in the testes, hilum, and mediastinum. Transbronchial lung and testicular biopsy specimens demonstrated noncaseating epithelioid granulomas, thus confirming the diagnosis of sarcoidosis with testicular involvement. The patient was followed up without systemic steroids. A review of the world literature found only 12 reported cases of clinically evident testicular sarcoidosis.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Thymidylate synthase expression correlates closely with E2F1 expression in colon cancer.

Thymidylate synthase (TS) is thought to be one of the target genes that the E2F1 transcription factor binds to and regulates. However, the relationship between the expressions of TS and E2F1 in primary colon cancer specimens remains unclear. The aim of this study was to define the relation of TS and E2F1 gene expressions in tumor samples from 23 colon cancer patients. TS and E2F1 gene expressions were measured by TaqMan reverse transcription-PCR assay using glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as an internal standard and expressed as a TS:GAPDH or E2F1:GAPDH mRNA ratio. A close relationship was found between TS gene expression and E2F1 gene expression (r2 = 0.598, P < 0.001) in 23 tumor samples analyzed. Surprisingly, a high correlation between TS gene expression and E2F1 gene expression was observed even in advanced tumors from stage IV colon cancer patients. These results suggest that transcription of the TS gene may be regulated by E2F1 in primary colon cancer specimens and that this gene-regulatory pathway from E2F1 to TS may be highly conserved during malignant progression. Four of the 23 patients showed TS overexpression with increased E2F1 expression. These results suggest that the ability of a tumor to increase TS expression may possibly be due to an overexpression of E2F1. Although the number of patients was relatively small, our study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of TS expression in colon cancers.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

A new method for on-line measurement of diurnal change in potato tuber growth under controlled environments.

An on-line laser micrometer system was applied to measurement of diurnal change in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber growth. Diameters of the potato tuber were scanned by moving a laser micrometer along the longitudinal axis of the tuber at constant speed, and tuber volume was evaluated as an aggregate of thin discs. A single potato tuber, without competitive sink tubers in the plant, was grown in controlled air at 20 degrees C and 80% RH, and tuber volume was measured at 30 min intervals. During the growth experiment, the potato tuber increased in size without any inhibitory effect of periodical laser beam irradiation. Greatest expansion generally occurred during the early night, and transient contraction of the tuber occurred at the beginning of the light period.

Circadian Rhythm↗
PubMed2000

[Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer using FLEP therapy].

Combination chemotherapy with 5-FU, LV, ETP and CDDP (FLEP) for advanced gastric cancer uses a combination of regional and systemic delivery for the control of both local and disseminated disease in the intra- and extra-abdominal regions. We performed this regimen as neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Fifteen patients with unresectable primary advanced gastric cancer underwent FLEP. The treatment regimen was 5-FU at 370 mg/m2, LV at 30 mg/body (days 1 to 5, i.v. 24 h) and ETP and CDDP each at 70 mg/m2 (days 7 and 21, ia 2 h). This regimen was repeated every four weeks. The overall response rate was 46.7% (7/15), and the 50% and median survival times were 11.43 and 12.35 months, respectively. The adverse events were Grade 3 leukocytopenia, Grade 3 thrombocytopenia, and Grade 3 stomatitis in 20.0%, 13.3%, and 6.7% of the patients, respectively. The 50% and median survival time overall were 11.43 and 12.35 months, respectively. Of the 15 NAC patients, curability B patients showed a statistically higher survival rate than curability C and unresected patients. In conclusion, FLEP was effective for unresectable advanced gastric cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Idiopathic spinal cord herniation. Report of two cases and review of the literature.

The authors describe two occurrences of idiopathic spinal cord herniation, an entity that has been reported previously in only 11 cases. The patients described in this report presented in midlife with Brown-Sequard syndrome. Computerized tomography myelography and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed ventral displacement of the spinal cord with no apparent dorsal mass. Intraspinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow studies in which phase-contrast pulse sequence cine MR imaging was used displayed a normal pattern dorsal to the spinal cord. Percutaneous intrathecal endoscopic observation did not disclose dorsal intradural cysts, but ventral adhesions were seen between the spinal cord and the dura. Microsurgical intradural exploration revealed ventrolateral herniation of the cord and a ventral root through a dural defect into an epidural arachnoid cyst. The adhesions were released, the cord was repositioned intradurally, and the dural defect was patched. The patients showed gradual improvement postsurgery, as did most of the patients in the previously reported cases. The CSF flow and endoscopic studies were found to be particularly informative, and dural patching with surgical membrane is recommended.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Gastric cancer in young patients.

BACKGROUND: Delayed diagnosis, a high rate of histologically undifferentiated types of tumors, and rapid disease progression are frequently cited as the main reasons for the poor prognosis of gastric cancer in young patients. An improved prognosis has been anticipated for young gastric cancer patients because of recent improvements in digestive tract diagnostic techniques. This retrospective study was designed to determine whether these trends have had an impact on young Japanese patients with gastric cancer, and to further elucidate differences in clinicopathologic features between elderly and young patients. METHODS: From 1984 to 1995, 1654 patients with gastric cancer were admitted to our hospital. Of these, 86 patients (5.2%) were less than 40 years of age (young group). The clinicopathologic features of this young group were reviewed retrospectively, using hospital records, and compared with those of older patients (n = 499 [29.4%], 60 to 69 years of age). RESULTS: The young group contained significantly higher percentages of female patients, epigastric pain symptoms, depressed superficial type lesions, mucosal invasion, and poorly differentiated histology; percentages of hepatic metastasis and venous invasion were lower. Survival rates for all patients and for the resected cases were significantly better in the young group (p = 0.035 and 0.017 respectively). The percentage of early stage stomach cancers for the group less than 40 years of age was 49.0% in 1984-89, but had risen to 60.9% by 1990-95. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis has improved the prognosis of young gastric cancer patients. Furthermore, these data show a recent shift in stage distribution; additional prognostic improvement is anticipated for young patients with early gastric cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Transient galactosemia detected by neonatal mass screening.

BACKGROUND: The Paigen method has detected not only persistently galactosemic patients, but also many children with transient galactosemia during the neonatal period. The diagnosis and clinical course of 389 patients with transient galactosemia detected by neonatal mass-screening from 1986 to 1996 in the Hiroshima prefecture were evaluated. METHODS: Enzyme assays for galactose metabolism, measurement of blood galactose levels, erythrocyte galactose-1-phosphate levels, serum total bile acid (TBA) levels and liver function tests were performed at the first visit by patients to our hospital. Liver function and the mental and physical development of patients were evaluated during the follow-up period (approximately 1 year). RESULTS: The diagnoses were classified as follows: 253 patients with unknown cause, 128 heterozygotes and two homozygotes for galactose enzyme deficiency (galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase, galactokinase, UDP-galactose 4-epimerase) and six heterozygotes for Duarte variant. Twelve patients showed high serum levels of TBA (> 80 mumol/L), which suggests the presence of portal-systemic shunts during the neonatal period causing galactosemia. Most patients showed normal mental and physical development during infancy. However, of 25 patients with mild to moderate abnormal liver function tests of unknown etiology after the neonatal period, five showed poor weight gain coincident with liver dysfunction. In almost all patients, levels of transferase decreased to the normal range by 1 year of age. CONCLUSION: We found that the prognosis of transient galactosemia was almost always favorable. However, patients should be followed for at least 1 year, because late liver dysfunction, which might cause poor weight gain, occurred in 6% of our patients.

Bile Acids and Salts↗
PubMed1999

Endoscopy of spinal cord and posterior fossa by a lumbar percutaneous approach: endoscopic anatomy in cadavers.

Endoscopy has a long history and is used extensively today following recent technical improvements. Endoscopy has been used in neurosurgery to examine ventricles, cisterns, and intra-arteries. In this study, we evaluated the possibility of endoscopic examination and treatment in the narrow confines of the subarachnoid space of the spine and the posterior fossa. Endoscopes with external diameters of 0.5, 1.4, and 2.2 mm were used. While the first two endoscopes had rigid tips, the 2.2-mm endoscope had a directable tip. Each endoscope was inserted percutaneously in the lumbar region in five cadavers and was advanced cranially into the posterior fossa under endoscopic monitoring. Arteries, veins and nerve roots upon the surface of the spinal cord could be distinguished readily with all endoscopes. All endoscopes could be inserted under direct observation, avoiding these vessels and nerve roots. Further rostral advancement of the endoscope permitted visualization of the upper spinal cord, cisterna magna at the foramen magnum, and the fourth ventricle. The lower aspect of the cerebellum, the foramen of Magendie, and the cerebral aqueduct could be observed from below. When the endoscope was advanced ventrolaterally, the vertebral artery and lower cranial nerves were observed. From this preliminary cadaver study, endoscopy via lumbar puncture appeared useful for inspection of structures surrounding the spinal cord and posterior fossa, and for some simple treatments.

Cadaver↗
PubMed1999

Endoscopy of the spinal cord: cadaveric study and clinical experience.

Recent improvements in instruments permit endoscopic examination of previously inaccessible sites. We report on the clinical use of a small-diameter endoscope to examine the spinal subarachnoid space, cord surface and syrinx cavities. Prior to clinical application, three types of endoscopes with external diameters of 0.5, 1.4 or 2.2 mm were inserted percutaneously in the lumbar region of five cadavers for preclinical evaluation of the procedure and the three endoscopes. The observations permitted us to perform spinal endoscopy preoperatively or intraoperatively using the 0.5-mm instrument in seven patients with spinal cord lesions between 1995 and 1997. The patients included two with spinal cord herniation through a dural defect, two with syringomyelia, one with spinal arachnoid cyst, one with spinal epidural cyst and one undergoing lumboperitoneal shunt for hydrocephalus. In patients in whom an endoscope was used preoperatively, the endoscope provided morphological information useful in preoperative diagnosis and planning surgical strategy. When the endoscope was used intraoperatively, areas outside the field of vision of a microscope could be examined, and physiological evaluation could include visualizing improved cord perfusion from the spinal subarachnoid space after surgery. Endoscopes could be safely inserted and approached to the lesions under direct vision while avoiding blood vessels and nerve roots on the spinal cord surface. No changes in symptoms or complications occurred in association with endoscopy. Using a small-diameter endoscope, the contents of the spinal subarachnoid space could be examined. Further improvements to increase possible endoscopic manipulation and enhance safety may extend the possibilities for endoscopic examination and permit endoscopic treatment.

Adult↗