Publications by authors named "Akihiro Morii"

We report two cases of pediatric deep renal injury at a local hospital. Case 1 was a 13-year-old girl. She fell from a bicycle and hit her back in a gutter.

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Three cases are reported of TURBT on the anterior wall, with bladder rupture occurring after discharge. Patient 1 was a 68-year-old man. He had macroscopic hematuria and he strained to void a bloody clot on the 10th day after TURBT.

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The patient was a 56-year-old female. She was referred to our department for further examination of right hydronephrosis in 2010. Computed tomography (CT) showed right hydronephrosis, and retrograde pyelography (RP) revealed stenosis of the right lower ureter.

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We report three cases of iatrogenic ureteral injury associated with total laparoscopic hysterectomy. Case 1 was a 50-year-old woman. She underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) for myoma uteri.

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The patient was an 88-year-old male. He was referred to the Department of Internal Medicine because of total body itching and jaundice in July 2011. The serum bilirubin level was elevated, and the serum CA19-9 level was also elevated to 266.

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We encountered four prostatic abscess patients. Although antimicrobial therapies were ineffective, drainage was effective in all cases. Patient 1 had lung cancer and diabetes mellitus (DM), and patient 2 developed acute prostatitis after transrectal prostatic biopsy.

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It has been pointed out that ultrasound could be used as a controller for bioprocesses including gene expression since its energy can noninvasively reach deep in the body. Gene expression may be timely and spatially controlled by ultrasound, thus providing necessary bioactive proteins for the targeted tissue in a timely fashion. Although there are many processes involved in gene expression control, one of the most important processes is transcription, and the promoter plays an essential role in it.

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We report a 33-year-old male with a left advanced non-seminomatous testicular germ cell tumor (NSGCT) accompanied panic disorder. He had experienced palpitation and hyperpnea in crowds in his twenties. He was admitted to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology with the chief complaint of left neck swelling.

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Saturation prostate biopsy protocols have been developed to improve the prostate cancer (PCa) detection rate, particularly in the setting of repeat biopsies. The present study attempted to clarify the association between PCa detection and various risk factors in repeat saturation biopsies. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 78 Japanese patients for whom findings had caused suspicion of PCa despite previous negative prostate biopsies, and who consecutively underwent a 24-core transperineal repeat biopsy at Toyama University Hospital (Toyama, Japan).

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We report a 25-year-old male with multiple visceral injuries accompanied by right renal pedicle injury and left ureteral disruption treated successfully by left ureterocalicostomy. He was accidentally crushed by a roller for fishing net hoists while working as a fisherman in May 2011. He was emergently transported to Kurobe City Hospital.

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Purpose: We found heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene up-regulation in response to ultrasound stimulation in endothelial cells. This project was started to explore the mechanism since it could be applied clinically.

Methods: Quantitative real-time PCR experiments were conducted to determine the appropriate condition to up-regulate HO-1 gene expression.

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The cancer cells residing in the hypoxic layer are resistant to radiation and these are ones responsible for cancer recurrence after radiation therapy. One of the reasons why hypoxic cancer cells acquire radioresistance may be attributable to changes in the gene expression profile by the activation of hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs). However, the details underlying this process remain unknown.

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Background And Objectives: Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) remains technically challenging and is associated with a steep learning curve. Prostate apex dissection (PAD) is one the most challenging elements of LRP. This study describes a novel technique for PAD using a transurethral approach (urethral assistance).

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Purpose: Retroperitoneal neural tumor (RNT) is rarely excised laparoscopically, and the laparoscopic management of RNT remains controversial. We herein report 4 cases of laparoscopic excision of RNT that resulted in diverse clinical outcomes.

Patients And Methods: Between August 2005 and January 2011, we performed laparoscopic excision of RNT in 4 patients.

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Purpose: A major concern when performing laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) is potential postoperative renal dysfunction. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of LPN with selective renal parenchymal clamping (SRPC) (LPNSRPC) and LPN using microwave tissue coagulation (MTC) (LPNMTC) on postoperative renal function.

Materials And Methods: This study included 12 patients (5 men and 7 women) who underwent LPNSRPC (n = 6) or LPNMTC (n = 6) for exophytic tumors.

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Purpose: During laparoscopic surgery, as in open surgery, exposure is critical. We describe our surgical technique that provides intra-abdominal multiple organ retraction in order to obtain a stable surgical field and adequate exposure.

Materials And Methods: The Flex Arm™ surgical holder (Mediflex Surgical Products, Islandia, NY) is an adjustable, spring-loaded articulating instrument holder.

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We previously developed a promoter that was responsive to radiation by randomly combining cis-elements of transcription factors that are activated in response to radiation in prostate cancer cells. The promoter enhanced the expression of the luciferase gene linked downstream by more than 10-fold 12 h after X-ray irradiation at 10 Gy. However, without radiation, it still significantly drove its expression.

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Background And Purpose: Laparoscopic resection of extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma (EAPs) necessitates meticulous surgical procedures because of changes in anatomic disposition and/or proximity to major blood vessels. Complete resection can be traumatic and may cause an increase in catecholamine levels. We present our experiences with laparoscopic resection of EAP (LEAP) and compare the intraoperative hemodynamics with those during laparoscopic resection of adrenal pheochromocytoma (LAP).

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Background: Hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor type-1 (HAI-1) inhibits hepatocyte growth factor activator and matriptase. In the present study it was investigated whether the expression of HAI-1 is associated with the progression of prostate cancer.

Patients And Methods: The expression of HAI-1 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) of samples from 51 patients with negative prostate biopsies and 75 patients with untreated prostate cancer.

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Background And Purpose: When percutaneous image-guided biopsies are not possible for retroperitoneal tumor of unknown origin (RTUO), surgical tissue diagnosis becomes necessary. Laparotomy and laparoscopic surgery are current standard treatments; however, the laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) approach offers many potential benefits. We describe our technique for LESS biopsy of RTUO.

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Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in sonication-induced apoptosis.

Methods: U937 cells derived from human leukemia were sonicated with 1-MHz ultrasound at 0.4 W/cm(2) and 10 % duty factor for 60 s, a condition inducing apoptosis.

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Purpose: During laparoscopy, as in open surgery, exposure is critical. Here, we describe the use of a laparoscope holder to facilitate the liver lift during urological laparoscopic surgery.

Materials And Methods: Laparoscopic right radical nephrectomy (n = 3), partial nephrectomy (n = 1), and adrenalectomy (n = 2) were performed with 4 ports.

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Radio-genetic therapy is a combination of radiation therapy and gene therapy that may solve some of the problems associated with conventional radiotherapy. A promoter responsive to radiation was obtained from a promoter library composed of DNA fragments created by linking the TATA box signal to randomly combined binding sequences of transcription factors that are reactive to radiation. Each promoter connected to the luciferase gene, was evaluated by luciferase expression enhancement in transfected cells after X-ray irradiation.

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Objectives: To evaluate the early quality of life outcomes in prostate cancer patients managed by high-dose-rate brachytherapy as monotherapy.

Methods: A total of 51 patients with cT1c-T3aN0M0 prostate cancer treated between July 2007 and January 2010 were included in this study. The average age was 69 years, and the average initial serum prostate-specific antigen was 10.

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Introduction: Renal cell carcinoma associated with Xp11.2 translocations is frequently reported in children, but adult-onset is rare. Here, the case of an adult male who developed a renal cell carcinoma associated with Xp11.

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