Different effects of oral administration of synthetic trypsin inhibitor on the pancreas between cholecystokinin-A receptor gene knockout mice and wild type mice.

The synthetic trypsin inhibitor camostat has been used for the treatment of acute and chronic pancreatitis in Japan based on the evidences obtained from a rat experimental model. However, rats differ from other rodents and from humans in terms of lacking a gallbladder and no response of pancreatic bicarbonate secretion to cholecystokinin (CCK). In the present study, we determined whether oral administration of camostat showed a trophic effect in mice as observed in rats and whether the trophic effect, if substantial, was mediated via the CCK-A receptor, using CCK-A receptor gene targeting mice.

Registration accuracy and possible migration of internal fiducial gold marker implanted in prostate and liver treated with real-time tumor-tracking radiation therapy (RTRT).

Background And Purpose: We have developed a linear accelerator synchronized with a fluoroscopic real-time tumor-tracking system to reduce errors due to setup and organ motion. In the real-time tumor-tracking radiation therapy (RTRT) system, the accuracy of tumor tracking depends on the registration of the marker's coordinates. The registration accuracy and possible migration of the internal fiducial gold marker implanted into prostate and liver was investigated.

Surgical treatment of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas.

Background: When considering the treatment strategies for dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs), it is important to clarify the exact location of the fistula and venous drainage route from both DAVFs and normal brain tissue. DAVFs with leptomeningeal retrograde venous drainage carry a high risk of neurological deficits and require aggressive treatment. When AVFs involve the dural sinus, transvenous embolization via the transfemoral approach is usually the first choice of treatment.

Amylase secretion from dispersed human pancreatic acini: neither cholecystokinin a nor cholecystokinin B receptors mediate amylase secretion in vitro.

Introduction: In humans, cholecystokinin (CCK) stimulates pancreatic secretion, and CCK-A receptor antagonists prevent it in vivo. However, the human pancreas has been reported to express mainly CCK-B receptors.

Aim: To elucidate this discrepancy.

Three-dimensional intrafractional movement of prostate measured during real-time tumor-tracking radiotherapy in supine and prone treatment positions.

Purpose: To quantify three-dimensional (3D) movement of the prostate gland with the patient in the supine and prone positions and to analyze the movement frequency for each treatment position.

Methods And Materials: The real-time tumor-tracking radiotherapy (RTRT) system was developed to identify the 3D position of a 2-mm gold marker implanted in the prostate 30 times/s using two sets of fluoroscopic images. The linear accelerator was triggered to irradiate the tumor only when the gold marker was located within the region of the planned coordinates relative to the isocenter.

Image fusion between 18FDG-PET and MRI/CT for radiotherapy planning of oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal carcinomas.

Purpose: Accurate diagnosis of tumor extent is important in three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy. This study reports the use of image fusion between (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (18FDG-PET) and magnetic resonance imaging/computed tomography (MRI/CT) for better targets delineation in radiotherapy planning of head-and-neck cancers.

Methods And Materials: The subjects consisted of 12 patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma and 9 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) who were treated with radical radiotherapy between July 1999 and February 2001.

Precise and real-time measurement of 3D tumor motion in lung due to breathing and heartbeat, measured during radiotherapy.

Purpose: In this work, three-dimensional (3D) motion of lung tumors during radiotherapy in real time was investigated. Understanding the behavior of tumor motion in lung tissue to model tumor movement is necessary for accurate (gated or breath-hold) radiotherapy or CT scanning.

Methods: Twenty patients were included in this study.

Iodine-123-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy of total cardiac adrenergic denervation in Brugada syndrome.

A 22-year-old Japanese man with Brugada syndrome was resuscitated from cardiopulmonary arrest. In addition to the electrocardiographic evidence of the syndrome and the absence of apparent structural heart disease, no accumulation of iodine-123-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) was found anywhere throughout the heart. Thallium-201 (Tl) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) distribution showed no significant decrease in its uptake.

Usefulness of 3-dimensional reconstructed images of renal arteries using rotational digital subtraction angiography.

Purpose: We assess the feasibility of a 3-dimensional (D) reconstruction technique of rotational digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for visualization of the renal arteries.

Materials And Methods: We evaluated 28 kidneys in 20 patients. Rotational DSA images were obtained during a deep inspiratory pause after contrast material injection through the renal artery.

Radiographic classification of L5 isthmic spondylolisthesis as adolescent or adult vertebral slip.

Study Design: A radiographic and morphologic study was conducted to investigate low-grade spondylolisthesis in cases with preexisting isthmic spondylolysis of L5.

Objective: To distinguish radiographically between vertebral slips before and after skeletal maturity as determined by deformities of the sacral endplate.

Summary And Background Data: Very few reports have shown that spondylolisthesis with preexisting isthmic defects of L5 develops frequently in adulthood.

Energy metabolism and turnover are increased in mice lacking the cholecystokinin-B receptor.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is an important gastrointestinal hormone as well as a neurotransmitter. Two types of CCK receptors, types A and B, have been identified. The CCK-A receptor is involved in satiety, food intake and behavior, whereas the B receptor is involved in anxiety.

Spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma supplied by the right renal capsular artery treated by transcatheter arterial embolization.

We present a case of spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with poor liver function which was treated by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). The patient's bilirubin value was 3.8 mg/dL.

The theory and applications of pulse spectrophotometry.

Opening of the first door of pulse photometry gave us pulse oximeter. The next door opens to multiwavelength pulse photometry. It will give us a high performance pulse oximeter, providing a wide variety of clinical information simultaneously.

Pulse oximetry in the management of children in the PICU.

The noninvasive and continuous nature of pulse oximetry is a considerable asset inpatient monitoring in the PICU. Its use in the PICU is constantly challenged by the combined presence of vigorous body motion and poor peripheral circulation, conditions which demand special consideration in developing a better pulse oximeter. This is a point of fierce competition among manufacturers.

Role of CCK-A receptor for pancreatic function in mice: a study in CCK-A receptor knockout mice.

Introduction: The cholecystokinin (CCK) family of peptides and receptors is present throughout the brain and gastrointestinal tract. The CCK receptors can be pharmacologically subdivided into two subtypes: CCK-A and CCK-B. CCK-A receptor is enriched in the pancreas of mice.

Inhibitory effects of octreotide on luminal cholecystokinin-releasing factor, plasma cholecystokinin, and pancreatic secretion in conscious rats.

Introduction: Luminal cholecystokinin-releasing factor (LCRF), purified from rat intestinal secretions, is an intraluminal regulator of cholecystokinin (CCK) secretion during bile and pancreatic juice diversion.

Aim: Because the LCRF content was not influenced by intravenous administration of atropine or somatostatin, the inhibitory effect of a potent somatostatin analog octreotide on LCRF content, the plasma CCK level, and pancreatic secretion was examined.

Methodology: Rats were prepared with bile and pancreatic cannulae and two duodenal cannulae and with an external jugular vein cannula.

Lung tumors evaluated with FDG-PET and dynamic CT: the relationship between vascular density and glucose metabolism.

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the relationship between FDG-PET and dynamic CT in lung tumors.

Method: Forty consecutive patients with pulmonary tumors underwent whole-body FDG-PET and contrast-enhanced dynamic CT. The size of tumors was 2.

Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura: MR appearance and enhancement pattern.

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to characterize the MR appearance of solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura (SFTP).

Method: Twenty-two consecutive patients with histologically confirmed SFTP were retrospectively evaluated with MRI.

Results: Tumors demonstrated low signal intensity (n = 18, 82%), iso signal intensity (n = 2, 9%), and high signal intensity (n = 2, 9%) on T1-weighted images.

Initial experience of percutaneous renal cryosurgery under the guidance of a horizontal open MRI system.

Objective: The aim of this study was to obtain preliminary results of cryoablation of renal tumors by using a percutaneous approach guided by a horizontal open MRI system, and to assess the safety and efficacy of this procedure.

Materials And Methods: Four patients with renal tumors underwent percutaneous cryosurgery with local anesthesia using a horizontal open MRI system (AIRIS II, Hitachi Medical Corp., Tokyo, Japan).

Direct effect of Pa(CO2) on respiratory sinus arrhythmia in conscious humans.

Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) may improve the efficiency of pulmonary gas exchange by matching the pulmonary blood flow to lung volume during each respiratory cycle. If so, an increased demand for pulmonary gas exchange may enhance RSA magnitude. We therefore tested the hypothesis that CO2 directly affects RSA in conscious humans even when changes in tidal volume (V(T)) and breathing frequency (F(B)), which indirectly affect RSA, are prevented.

Induction chemotherapy followed by low-dose involved-field radiotherapy for intracranial germ cell tumors.

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of chemotherapy followed by low-dose involved-field radiotherapy for the treatment of intracranial germ cell tumors (GCTs).

Patients And Methods: Thirty-three patients with GCTs, including 16 pure germinomas, 11 human chorionic gonadotropin-beta (HCG-beta)-secreting germinomas, three mixed GCTs composed of immature teratomas plus germinomas (IMT/G), and three highly malignant mixed GCTs, were treated. Etoposide and cisplatin (EP) were used for the treatment of solitary pure germinomas, and ifosfamide, cisplatin, and etoposide (ICE) were used for the treatment of other GCTs.

[Intentional neck-plastic incomplete clipping followed by coil embolization for broad-necked distal BA aneurysms].

Objective: We report three patients with broad-necked distal basilar artery (BA) aneurysms treated with intentional incomplete clipping followed by endovascular occlusion using Guglielmi detachable coils.

Methods: The location of the aneurysms was BA bifurcation in one patient and BA-superior cerebellar artery (SCA) in two. One patient presented with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage and two patients had incidental aneurysms.