Kumamoto University

About: Kumamoto University is a education organization based out in Kumamoto, Kumamoto, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Cancer & Population. The organization has 19602 authors who have published 35513 publications receiving 901260 citations. The organization is also known as: Kumamoto Daigaku.

Sarcopenia is a Predictor of Postoperative Respiratory Complications in Patients with Esophageal Cancer

Abstract: Depletion of skeletal muscle mass (sarcopenia) indicates a poor prognosis for patients with several kinds of cancer, but it remains unclear whether esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is among these cancers. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between sarcopenia and postoperative outcome in patients with ESCC treated by esophagectomy. Skeletal muscle mass was assessed in 138 patients who underwent esophagectomy from August 2009 to May 2014. A multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody 720; Biospace, Tokyo, Japan) was used to assess skeletal muscle mass just before surgery. Postoperative complications were graded according to the Clavien–Dindo classification, and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for postoperative respiratory complications. Sarcopenia was determined in 61 patients (44.2 %). Preoperative pulmonary function was significantly lower and the rate of respiratory complications significantly higher in the sarcopenia group than in the non-sarcopenia group (p < 0.01). For other complications, the differences were not significant. Multivariate analysis showed that sarcopenia [odds ratio (OR) 5.82; p = 0.0001] and longer operation time (OR 3.09; p = 0.04) were risk factors for the occurrence of respiratory complications. Sarcopenia may be a predictor of pulmonary complications after esophagectomy. Further analysis is needed to clarify whether nutritional intervention improves skeletal muscle mass and thus contributes to reducing postoperative respiratory complications in sarcopenic patients.

Electron Spin Resonance Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide as an Endothelium-Derived Hyperpolarizing Factor in Porcine Coronary Microvessels

Abstract: Objective— Endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) plays an important role in modulating vascular tone, especially in microvessels, although its nature has yet to be elucidated. This study was designed to examine whether hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) is an EDHF in porcine coronary microvessels with use of an electron spin resonance (ESR) method to directly detect H 2 O 2 production from the endothelium. Methods and Results— Isometric tension and membrane-potential recordings demonstrated that bradykinin and substance P caused EDHF-mediated relaxations and hyperpolarizations of porcine coronary microvessels in the presence of indomethacin and N ω -nitro-l-arginine. The contribution of H 2 O 2 to the EDHF-mediated responses was demonstrated by the inhibitory effect of catalase and by the relaxing and hyperpolarizing effects of exogenous H 2 O 2 . Endothelial production of H 2 O 2 was quantified in bradykinin- or substance P–stimulated intact blood vessels by ESR spectroscopy. Tiron, a superoxide scavenger that facilitates H 2 O 2 formation, enhanced bradykinin-induced production of H 2 O 2 , as well as the EDHF-mediated relaxations and hyperpolarizations. By contrast, cytochrome P-450 inhibitors (sulfaphenazole or 17-octadecynoic acid) or a gap junction inhibitor (18α-glycyrrhetinic acid) failed to inhibit the EDHF-mediated relaxations. Involvement of endothelium-derived K + was not evident in experiments with ouabain plus Ba 2+ or exogenous K + . Conclusion— These results provide ESR evidence that H 2 O 2 is an EDHF in porcine coronary microvessels.

Multiple-phase helical CT of the liver for detecting small hepatomas in patients with liver cirrhosis: contrast-injection protocol and optimal timing.

Abstract: Helical CT scanners allow multiple-phase sequential scans of the entire liver to be obtained during a single bolus injection of contrast material. The purpose of this study was to compare two injection protocols and to establish timing that would optimize detection of hepatomas less than 3 cm in diameter.Triple-phase helical CT of the liver was evaluated in 217 patients who had liver cirrhosis and were referred for known or suspected hepatomas. Proof of individual neoplasms was based on biopsy results, surgical findings, or findings of other imaging studies. Sixty percent nonionic contrast material, infused at 2 or 4 ml/sec, was followed by sequential arterial-phase, portal-venous phase, and equilibrium-phase helical scans of the liver. Aortic and hepatic enhancement curves were constructed by measuring CT attenuation. The CT attenuation values of individual tumor lesions were also measured. We compared the degree of enhancement of normal structures and tumors obtained with four scan protocols (injection ...