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T Unuma

Publications and source records attributed to T Unuma.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Quantitative changes in yolk protein and other components in the ovary and testis of the sea urchin Pseudocentrotus depressus.

Both male and female sea urchins accumulate the major yolk protein (MYP; the most abundant yolk granule protein in sea urchin eggs) in the nutritive phagocytes of immature gonads before gametogenesis. In this study, quantitative changes in MYP as well as in other biochemical components in the ovary and testis were examined in the course of gametogenesis in Pseudocentrotus depressus. Before gametogenesis, both the ovary and testis contained large quantities of proteins, lipids and polysaccharides. MYP reached about 80% of total protein in both sexes. In the testis, MYP decreased rapidly as spermatogenesis proceeded, and the fully mature testis contained little MYP; the levels of lipids and polysaccharides also decreased. In contrast, the levels of nucleic acids and proteins other than MYP increased markedly. In the ovary, MYP decreased gradually as oogenesis proceeded, and the fully mature ovary contained less than half of the initial amount of MYP. Polysaccharides also decreased, whereas proteins other than MYP increased. These results, taken together with those from other studies, suggest that MYP serves as a protein reserve that accumulates before gametogenesis and is used as material for synthesizing new substances constituting gametes in both male and female sea urchins.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Sustained viral response is rarely achieved in patients with high viral load of HCV RNA by excessive interferon therapy.

Adequate dosing of interferon (IFN) and its cost-effectiveness for sustained virological response were evaluated in relation to viral load and subtype. Prospective analysis of IFN therapy on 326 patients with chronic hepatitis C free from cirrhosis was performed using 9 or 6 million unit (MU) of IFN for six months daily and/or three times a week. Sustained virological response was achieved in 50-94% of patients with < or =2 x 10(4) copies/ml (competitive RT-PCR) or <100 x 10(3) copies/ml (Amplicor monitor) of HCV RNA by 468-1206 MU of IFN, but response was only 0-25% of the patients with > or =2 x 10(5.5) copies/ml (competitive RT-PCR) or >200 x 10(3) copies/ml (Amplicor monitor), even with 468-1206 MU of IFN. A high sustained rate was demonstrated in patients with 100-200 x 10(3) copies/ml of HCV RNA by 901-1206 MU of IFN, in comparison to that with < or =900 MU of IFN. Multivariate analysis showed that IFN dose had a significant value for the efficacy of IFN therapy in patients presenting 100-200 x 10(3) copies/ml of HCV RNA. Cost efficacy analysis indicated that it cost approximately $10,000, $26,000, and $50,000-227,000 for one person-viral eradication in the patients with <100, 100-200, and >200 x 10(3) copies/ml, respectively. High-dose IFN is only cost effective in patients with intermediate viral loads, and IFN therapy could be recommended in patients with <200 x 10(3) copies/ml of HCV RNA.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Prospective study of interferon therapy for compensated cirrhotic patients with chronic hepatitis C by monitoring serum hepatitis C RNA.

Because interferon therapy exhibits low efficacy for cirrhotic patients infected with hepatitis C virus, this prospective study was conducted to determine effective interferon regimens tailored to treatment response by monitoring HCV RNA status. A total of 157 cirrhotic patients were enrolled to receive 9 million units (MU) of interferon three times a week. The HCV RNA values were drawn 8 weeks apart and the patients were randomized to a further 16 or 32 weeks of treatment after two sequential findings of negativity for HCV RNA. A total of 73 out of 157 patients (46%) proceeded to randomization to different durations of treatment, 37 short-course and 36 long-course (duration: 38 +/- 8 and 49 +/- 13 weeks; total amount of interferon: 940 +/- 240 and 1130 +/- 390 MU, respectively). The remaining 84 patients without two sequential negative serum HCV RNA determinations received 44.8 +/- 27.4 weeks of interferon (IFN) therapy with total amount of 993 +/- 633 MU. Of these 157 patients, sustained virological and biochemical response was shown in 32 (20%) and 37 patients (24%), respectively. Sustained virological and biochemical response rate in the randomized patients was significantly higher than in nonrandomized patients (41% vs. 2%, and 38% vs. 11%; each P <.01). Of the 73 randomized patients, the rate of sustained virological response in patients with long-course treatment (50%) was significantly higher than that of patients with short-course treatment (32%) (P =.026: log-rank test), and in patients with early disappearance of HCV RNA especially within 8 weeks, in patients with low virus load (</=10(6.3) copies/mL) and with HCV 2a. Multivariate analysis revealed that HCV RNA level and subtypes were the most important factors contributing to sustained virological response. Interferon is effective even in cirrhotic patients with low viral load and HCV 2a, but requires a longer course of administration.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Onset of diabetes with high titer anti-GAD antibody after IFN therapy for chronic hepatitis.

A case of hyperglycemia induced by the injection of interferon-alpha was experienced in our hospital. This patient showed a sustained high titer of anti-GAD antibody after the onset of diabetes, suggesting that the involvement of immunological disturbance by IFN induces the onset of the disease. However, the susceptibility and the response of the immune system differs from patient to patient, and only limited destruction of beta-cells in the islet of Langerhans and normalization of glucose tolerance by CSII was induced in this patient.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1993

A case of chronic pancreatitis complicated by massive pericardial and right pleural effusion.

A 42-year-old man was admitted complaining of dyspnea. Chest X-ray showed an increase in cardiac size, and echocardiography revealed a large volume of pericardial effusion. Pancreatic enzyme levels were elevated in both serum and pericardial effusion. Computed tomography and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography demonstrated a fistula connecting a pancreatic pseudocyst with the pericardium and the right pleural cavity. Massive pericardial and right pleural effusion is an extremely rare complication of chronic pancreatitis. In this case, computed tomography and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography were useful for diagnosing the fistula.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Percutaneous ethanol injection therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: results in 146 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Sonographically guided percutaneous ethanol injection therapy has been used widely in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, few reports have been published on the results of this treatment in large numbers of patients. Accordingly, we describe our experience with 146 patients who had this treatment. The study is an update of our previous reports on this subject. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We used ethanol injection, with or without transcatheter arterial embolization, 1048 times in 146 patients who had 242 lesions of hepatocellular carcinoma. In 98 patients, ethanol injection was used to attempt a cure of the disease. In the remaining 48 patients, ethanol injection was used palliatively only to reduce the tumor burden. In most cases, 2-8 ml of absolute ethanol was injected in one treatment session. Patients were given the injections two or three times each week until ethanol was injected throughout the lesion. When tumors were greater than 2 cm in diameter, ethanol was injected into the edges of the lesion. RESULTS: Histopathologic examination after treatment in 21 cases showed that the lesion was completely necrotic in 15 cases, 90% necrotic in five cases, and 70% necrotic in the remaining case. Follow-up angiography performed in 69 cases showed no contrast stains in the treated tumors in 60 cases. Elevated serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein decreased in 39 of 43 cases. The 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year survival rates of all 146 patients were 79%, 64%, 46%, 38%, and 38%, respectively. Among 98 patients in whom ethanol injection was used as a potentially curative therapy, these rates were 85%, 70%, 62%, 52%, and 52%, respectively. After ethanol injection, the cancer recurred frequently; the 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year recurrence rates in the potentially curative group were 26%, 38%, 51%, 60%, and 60%, respectively. However, 84% of recurrences were new lesions in different portions of the liver; recurrence of lesions treated by ethanol injection was rare. Major complications of the treatment were peritoneal bleeding in two cases and pleural effusion in one case. CONCLUSION: Histopathologic examination, angiography, and serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein showed that percutaneous ethanol injection is a valuable treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. The therapy increased the long-term survival of patients who have this disease.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗
PubMed1992

[A case report of postoperative recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma effectively treated with HCFU administration combined with TAE].

A 62-year-old man was found to have recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) 2 cm in diameter in the left lobe in June 1990. After right lobectomy of the liver which contained the tumors of S6 2 cm and S8 3 cm in diameter 7 months before, the patient was treated with hepatic arterial embolization (TAE) combined with infusion of anti-cancer drug (ADM, CDDP) four times since June 1990. HCFU 300 mg per day was administered orally since June 1990. Since the 3rd TAE in December, 1990, the tumor stain in the left lobe disappeared for 10 months till October, 1991. No remarkable side effect of HCFU was noticed during this period. HCFU administration combined with TAE effectively prevented post-surgical recurrence of HCC in this case.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1991

Percutaneous ethanol injection therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. A histopathologic study.

Histopathologic examination was done on 18 cases after percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT) for hepatocellular carcinoma. In eight cases, the lesion was treated by PEIT alone; in the other ten cases, PEIT was combined with transcatheter arterial embolization. The lesion was completely necrotic in 13 cases, 90% necrotic in four cases, and 70% necrotic in the rest. In addition, PEIT seemed to be effective against intercapsular, extracapsular, and vascular invasions. In the four cases of incomplete necrosis, the viable cancer tissue remained in small tumor nodules around the main tumor, in portions isolated by septa, or along the edge of the lesion. Therefore, ethanol should be injected not only into the center of the lesion, but also into sites close to its edge. Ethanol did not damage noncancerous liver parenchyma distant from injected sites. Local dissemination of the cancer cells was not found in any case. Therefore, PEIT seems to be a valuable therapy and may be an alternative to surgery in some cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Relationship of HBsAg subtypes with HBeAg/anti-HBe status and chronic liver disease. Part I: Analysis of 1744 HBsAg carriers.

A total of 1744 HBsAg carriers were investigated to determine whether there are clinical differences among HBsAg subtypes or not. Although adr was more predominant than adw in 1078 asymptomatic carriers as well as in 666 carriers with liver dysfunction, the adr carriers had liver dysfunction more frequently than the adw carriers (p = 0.005). In addition, the adr carriers were more often positive for HBeAg and less often positive for anti-HBe than the adw carriers (p less than 0.001). Multivariate analyses indicated that the HBsAg subtypes were associated with liver dysfunction not directly but through the relationship between the HBsAg subtypes and HBeAg/anti-HBe status. HBeAg/anti-HBe status of each age bracket in the adr carriers and in the adw carriers suggested that adr carriers are seroconverted later than adw carriers. In conclusion, HBsAg subtypes may affect the development of chronic liver disease, through their association with HBeAg/anti-HBe status.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Relationship of HBsAg subtypes with HBeAg/anti-HBe status and chronic liver disease. Part II: Evaluation of epidemiological factors and suspected risk factors of liver dysfunction.

In this study, we examined a possibility that epidemiological factors or suspected risk factors of liver dysfunction could account for the different HBeAg/anti-HBe status or the different prevalence of liver dysfunction between the adr and adw carriers. A total of 428 HBsAg carriers were surveyed of their age, sex, racial background, socioeconomic status, place of residence, birthplace, alcohol consumption, smoking habit, and history of blood transfusion as epidemiological factors or suspected risk factors of liver dysfunction. Adjustment for those variables using multivariate analyses did not substantially affect the association of the HBsAg subtypes with either prevalence of liver dysfunction or HBeAg/anti-HBe status. HBsAg subtypes seem to directly affect HBeAg/anti-HBe status and consequently influence development of chronic liver disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

A case report of primary fibrosarcoma of the liver.

A 75-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital complaining of right hypochondrial pain. Echo sonography and computed tomography demonstrated a large tumor with irregular internal density in the right lobe of the liver. Angiography revealed a moderately hypervascular tumor. She was treated with transcatheter arterial embolization. Three weeks later, the tumor ruptured. She died of accompanying acute myocardial infarction seven months after the onset of the illness. Autopsy revealed primary fibrosarcoma of the liver. The tumor appearance varied from firm whitish to soft myxomatous. A part of the tumor showed hemorrhagic necrosis. There was no intrahepatic metastasis. The tumor tissue was composed of spindle shaped cells and immunohistochemically stained with vimentin.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Percutaneous ethanol injection therapy for neoplasms located on the surface of the liver.

There has been a reluctance to perform percutaneous ethanol injection therapy on lesions located on the surface of the liver because of the possibility of complications. We treated 16 lesions located on the surface of the liver in 14 patients by percutaneous ethanol injection and evaluated the complications and efficacy. Bleeding and seeding of malignant cells did not occur in any case. However, transient pain after injection of ethanol was more intense in these patients than in those whose lesions were not on the surface of the liver. Histopathologic examinations, imaging findings, and decrease in the serum alpha-fetoprotein levels showed that percutaneous ethanol injection was effective for tumors located on the surface of the liver. Our experience suggests that percutaneous ethanol injection can be performed safely even when lesions are located on the surface of the liver.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Percutaneous ethanol injection therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma: analysis of 77 patients.

Although sonographically guided percutaneous ethanol injection therapy has been attracting a great deal of attention in the treatment of liver neoplasms, few reports regarding long-term results of this therapy have been published. We report here our 4-year experience, in which ethanol injection was performed 419 times on 108 lesions in 77 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Histopathologic examination performed in 14 cases after the therapy revealed that the lesion was completely necrotic in 10 cases, 90% necrotic in three cases, and 70% necrotic in the remaining case. Angiography performed after the therapy showed complete disappearance of tumor stain in 37 of 42 cases treated with ethanol injection. CT after the therapy showed no enhancement of the treated lesion in 55 of 56 cases. Elevated serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein decreased in 21 of 24 cases. Ethanol injection improved the long-term prognosis of the patients. Among the 50 patients in whom there were three or fewer lesions and all lesions were treated by ethanol injection, the 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-year survival rates were 89%, 74%, 68%, and 60%, respectively. Factors that significantly affected the prognosis were the goal of the treatment, liver function, and size of the largest lesion. Serious complications rarely occurred even in patients with severe liver dysfunction. Percutaneous ethanol injection therapy appears to be valuable for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Hepatic arterial infusion of etoposide in the treatment of primary liver neoplasms].

A phase 1 study of etoposide for hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma was undertaken by single arterial infusion (9 cases; range of doses levels; step 1: 50 mg/m2, step 2: 75 mg/m2, step 3: 120 mg/m2). Mild leukopenia (2500/mm3 in step 2 and 2400/mm3 in step 3) was observed in 2 cases. Thrombocytopenia or anemia was not observed in these doses. Hypotension was experienced 2 hrs. after infusion in one case of step 2. The post-infusion plasma decay of etoposide was biphasic with t1/2 alpha ranging from 0.59 approximately 0.63 h and t1/2 beta ranging from 5.40 approximately 6.57 h. AUC0-24 increased in association with the increase of the doses. Hepatic artery infusion of etoposide was performed without serious complication and the dose limiting toxicity was leukopenia.

Adenoma, Bile Duct↗
PubMed1989

A case of gallbladder cancer manifesting chylous ascites and chylothorax.

A case of gallbladder cancer manifesting both chylous ascites and chylothorax was reported. A 66-year-old man was hospitalized with milky ascites. The patient was diagnosed as having gallbladder cancer based on findings of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and celiac angiography. The diagnosis of chylous ascites was confirmed by the presence of microscopically visible free fat and the biochemical analysis of the fluid. The patient also gradually developed chylous thoracic effusion. Autopsy revealed lymphogenous metastasis in multiple retroperitoneal and mediastinal nodes. Chylothorax and chyloperitoneum are relatively rare. Only five cases have been reported in Japan that manifested both conditions.

Adenocarcinoma↗