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1.
PLoS One ; 14(10): e0223911, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31626634

ABSTRACT

The food habits of the Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) are well studied, but there is a little evidence of dietary specialization-that is, when individuals use a narrower set of resources compared to the population as a whole. To examine the dietary composition at the individual level, seasonal patterns of dietary specialization, and sex-based dietary differences in Asiatic black bears, we attached Global Positioning System (GPS) collars to 15 Asiatic black bears and collected their scats in Nagano Prefecture, Japan from 2017 to 2018. Our results showed that the dietary composition differed among individuals, although seasonal changes in dietary composition were observed at the population level. Dietary specialization was high in summer (resources less abundant) and low in spring and autumn (resources more abundant), indicating a relationship with general food abundance and the dietary diversity of bears. In spring, all bears consumed green vegetation and/or seed of Fagaceae family from previous autumn; in early- and late- summer, dietary composition, such as green vegetation, insects, and fruits, greatly differed among individuals. In autumn, most bears heavily depended on seeds of Fagaceae which is high-quality food for bears. Although we did not find statistical differences between sexes in terms of dietary specialization and diversity, we found variations in the timing of feeding on the Fagaceae family, being earlier in females compared with males. We also found considerable variation in dietary composition within sexes, suggesting that dietary specialization depends on multiple factors besides food abundance, food diversity, and sex.


Subject(s)
Feeding Behavior , Ursidae/physiology , Animals , Diet , Ecological and Environmental Phenomena , Female , Male , Seasons
2.
Chembiochem ; 20(3): 408-414, 2019 02 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30346091

ABSTRACT

Carrier-mediated delivery of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) into the living cells is important for the realization of siRNA therapeutics that can silence target genes through RNA interference. We recently proposed a new strategy for analyzing the siRNA delivery process based on affinity labeling with a peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-based fluorescent probe (PyAATO; Py: pyrene, A: adenine; TO: thiazole orange) capable of selectively binding to the overhanging structures of siRNAs. We have prepared new probes with improved binding affinity by conjugation with a cationic oligopeptide. The probe, carrying six lysine residues (PyAATO-Lys6 (Lys6)), displayed a 39-fold increase in affinity, compared with that of the parent probe containing no oligopeptides. Thermodynamic characterization revealed that enhanced affinity resulted from the favorable polyelectrolyte effect, due to the electrostatic interaction between lysine residues and phosphate anions of the RNA duplexes near the overhanging structure. Lys6 showed the improved imaging ability of the carrier-mediated siRNA delivery process in living cells, in which 20 nm siRNA could be analyzed and was considered to show the minimal off-target effects.


Subject(s)
Fluorescent Dyes/chemistry , Gene Transfer Techniques , Oligopeptides/chemistry , RNA, Small Interfering/chemistry , Binding Sites , Cations/chemistry , Fluorescent Dyes/chemical synthesis , HeLa Cells , Humans , Optical Imaging , RNA, Small Interfering/genetics , Thermodynamics
3.
J Vasc Interv Radiol ; 26(7): 1018-24, 2015 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25680280

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of superselective coil embolization with coaxial microballoon occlusion (B-coiling) for vascular disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical data were retrospectively evaluated for 16 consecutive patients (6 men, 10 women; mean age, 70 y; age range, 57-80 y) with vascular disorders who underwent B-coiling with 0.010-0.014-inch detachable microcoils delivered through a guide-wire lumen of a microballoon catheter. Routine angiographic catheters (4-5 F) were introduced in all cases, including splenic (n = 4) and renal (n = 3) artery aneurysms, pulmonary and renal arteriovenous malformations (AVMs; n = 3 and n = 1, respectively), gastroesophageal varices (GEVs; n = 3), gastroduodenal artery stump pseudoaneurysm (n = 1), and superficial temporal artery aneurysm (n = 1). RESULTS: Complete primary occlusion was achieved in 87.5% of cases (n = 14) without complications. Additional percutaneous transhepatic sclerotherapy by N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA)/iodized oil mixtures without balloon occlusion resulted in successful occlusion of one GEV. Additional balloon-occluded NBCA injection was successfully performed in one renal AVM. CONCLUSIONS: Superselective coaxial microballoon embolization with detachable microcoils is a safe and useful treatment. Selective B-coiling induces tight packing under flow control in the treatment of vascular disorders.


Subject(s)
Embolization, Therapeutic/instrumentation , Vascular Access Devices , Vascular Diseases/therapy , Aged , Embolization, Therapeutic/adverse effects , Enbucrilate/administration & dosage , Equipment Design , Female , Humans , Iodized Oil/administration & dosage , Male , Middle Aged , Miniaturization , Retrospective Studies , Sclerosing Solutions/administration & dosage , Sclerotherapy , Treatment Outcome , Vascular Diseases/diagnosis
4.
Gan To Kagaku Ryoho ; 42(12): 1611-3, 2015 Nov.
Article in Japanese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26805113

ABSTRACT

A 60-year-old male patient underwent curative surgical resection for gastric cancer. After the surgery, the patient was diagnosed with T4b, N3b, ly3, v2, CY0, fStageⅢc gastric cancer, and adjuvant systemic chemotherapy using S-1 and CDDP was administered. However, follow-up computed tomography (CT) scan examination taken 2 months after surgery revealed a pancreatic fistula and retroperitoneal abscess, and percutaneous drainage was performed. After 1 month, the enhanced CT scan detected liver metastasis measuring 25 mm in diameter at segment 7. The CT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) procedure was performed on the liver metastasis using degradable starch microspheres (DSM). Two months after the RFA, a follow-up CT scan revealed local recurrence of the lesion in the medial side of the ablated area in segment 7. A second CT-guided RFA, which was combined with DSM-TACE, was performed on the recurrent lesion. The patient has since survived more than 2 years after the second treatment without any further recurrences. This case report suggests that RFA treatment combined with DSM-TACE might be a safe and feasible treatment for liver metastasis from gastric cancer.


Subject(s)
Liver Neoplasms/therapy , Stomach Neoplasms/pathology , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Catheter Ablation , Chemoembolization, Therapeutic , Cisplatin/administration & dosage , Combined Modality Therapy , Drug Combinations , Humans , Liver Neoplasms/secondary , Male , Oxonic Acid/administration & dosage , Starch , Stomach Neoplasms/drug therapy , Stomach Neoplasms/surgery , Tegafur/administration & dosage
5.
Eur J Radiol ; 73(1): 125-30, 2010 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19019608

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate ability of ferucarbotran-enhanced MR imaging (MRI) in differentiating metastases from nonsolid benign lesions of the liver according to signal-intensity characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-six consecutive patients, who had 138 focal hepatic lesions (26 cysts, 11 hemangiomas, and 101 metastases), underwent ferucarbotran-enhanced MRI. The signal-intensity pattern of each kind of lesion relative to the liver parenchyma on ferucarbotran-enhanced T2* and heavily T1-weighted gradient-echo images were assessed and categorized into the following three categories: high-intensity and iso-intensity, respectively (category A), high and low (category B), and iso- and low-intensity (category C). For category B, lesions were subdivided into two groups based on single-shot half-Fourier RARE images: category B1 (not significantly high-intensity) and category B2 (significantly high-intensity). RESULTS: Category A had 11 hemangiomas and 2 metastatic tumors, category B1 had 97 metastatic tumors, category B2 had 2 metastatic tumors and 9 cysts, and category C had 17 cysts. When a tumor with a signal intensity of category A was considered to be hemangioma, category B1 metastasis, and category B2 and C cyst, the diagnostic accuracy for differentiating these lesions was 97% (134/138). CONCLUSION: The combination of signal-intensity pattern on ferucarbotran-enhanced T2*- and heavily T1-weighted gradient-echo MRI has ability to differentiate liver metastases from nonsolid benign lesions. However, T2-weighted single-shot half-Fourier RARE imaging should also be employed to achieve better performance.


Subject(s)
Cysts/diagnosis , Ferrosoferric Oxide , Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis , Liver Neoplasms/secondary , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Contrast Media , Dextrans , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans , Magnetite Nanoparticles , Male , Middle Aged , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and Specificity , Young Adult
6.
Gan To Kagaku Ryoho ; 36(12): 2371-3, 2009 Nov.
Article in Japanese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20037426

ABSTRACT

We report a case of local recurrent tumor after a resection of right adrenal metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma successfully treated with radiofrequency ablation combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. The case is a man in his 80s who had a curative surgical resection and microwave coagulation therapy (MCT) for multiple hepatocellular carcinomas in February 2003. The lesions were judged to be T4, N0, M0 and Stage IV,then, he was treated as an outpatient on a regular schedule. In July 2003, a right adrenal tumor 2 cm in diameter was detected by computed tomography (CT), but the value of the adrenocortical hormones were normal on blood examination, and he was observed at regular intervals. In February 2005, the adrenal lesion enlarged to 5 cm in diameter and the value of PIVKA-II became high on blood examination, so April 2005, a surgical resection was performed, and it was diagnosed as the metastasis from HCC. In July 2008, the recurrent tumor 3 cm in diameter was observed in the right retroperitoneum. It was considered inoperable because of the past operation, and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization of an inferior adrenal artery and a fine branch through a right sub-phrenic artery was performed for the recurrent tumor, and one week after the embolization, radiofrequency ablation was treated by CT fluoroscopy guidance. Ten months after the tumor embolization combined with radiofrequency ablation, there were no local and distant recurrences observed by CT examination. Transcatheter arterial embolization combined with radiofrequency ablation is considered as a feasible and effective method for not only HCC but also for a local recurrent tumor after resection of the adrenal metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma.


Subject(s)
Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/secondary , Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/surgery , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/therapy , Catheter Ablation , Chemoembolization, Therapeutic , Liver Neoplasms/therapy , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Aged, 80 and over , Combined Modality Therapy , Humans , Male
7.
Gan To Kagaku Ryoho ; 36(12): 2093-5, 2009 Nov.
Article in Japanese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20037334

ABSTRACT

The case is a man in his 50s who had a curative surgical resection for cholangiocarcinoma in August 2006. The lesion was judged to be T3, N1, H0, P0, M0 and Stage III, and then he received various treatments including thermotherapy, CD3-activated T lymphocyte therapy. Then from June 2007, he was treated for multiple liver metastases by GEM, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), stereotactic radiotherapy, S-1, dendritic cell therapy. But there were multiple liver metastases whose maximum size was 17 mm in diameter and he was introduced to our hospital. In September 2008, ultrasonography and CT fluoroscopy guided RFA was operated on him for the liver tumors with a safety margin. But 2 hours after the ablation, he complained of epigastralgia. CT examination revealed a bile peritonitis caused by perforation of the jejunum which has been anastomosed to the pancreas, and was adjacent to the avascular area caused by RFA in segment 4 of the liver. We treated him by various interventional procedures including percutaneous drainage for bile leakage, pancreatic fistula, abscess in peritoneal cavity, and biloma in segment 3. Fifty days after the ablation, T-tube, with which pancreatic fluid and bile was induced from the cecal portion of the anastomosed jejunum to the anal side slipping through the perforated point, was successfully inserted through right flank, and resulted in complete recovery from a major technical complication of the bile peritonitis.


Subject(s)
Bile Duct Neoplasms/pathology , Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic , Catheter Ablation/adverse effects , Cholangiocarcinoma/pathology , Intestinal Perforation/etiology , Jejunal Diseases/etiology , Liver Neoplasms/secondary , Liver Neoplasms/surgery , Peritonitis/etiology , Bile , Bile Duct Neoplasms/therapy , Cholangiocarcinoma/therapy , Drainage/methods , Humans , Intestinal Perforation/surgery , Jejunal Diseases/surgery , Male , Middle Aged , Peritonitis/surgery
8.
Magn Reson Med Sci ; 6(3): 147-55, 2007.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18037795

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We assessed the diagnostic value of whole body magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (WB-MRI) using diffusion-weighted images (DWI) for detecting bone metastasis and compared it with that of skeletal scintigraphy (SS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with malignancies (breast cancer, 17 patients; prostate cancer, 9; and one patient each, thyroid cancer, liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, and extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma) underwent both WB-MRI and SS to detect bone metastasis. All patients were followed more than 6 months by MR imaging, SS, or computed tomographic (CT) examination. For WB-MRI, patients were placed in feet-first supine position with table-top extender and quadrature body coil. We acquired DWI (axial plane from lower neck to proximal femur) (single shot short TI inversion-recovery [STIR]: repetition time [TR] 6243/echo time [TE] 59/inversion time [TI] 180 ms; b value: 600 s/mm(2); 5-mm slice thickness; 112 x 112 matrix), T(1)-weighted fast spin echo (T(1)WI), and STIR (sagittal plane of total spine images and coronal plane of whole body images) images. Four blinded readers independently and separately interpreted images of combined MR sequences of T(1)WI+STIR (session 1) and T(1)WI+STIR+DWI (session 2). RESULTS: In 10 of 30 patients, we detected a total of 52 metastatic bone lesions; in the other 20, follow-up examinations confirmed no metastatic bone lesions. For these 52 lesions, for session 2, the mean sensitivity was 96% and the positive predictive value (PPV) was 98%. Those values were superior to those of session 1 (sensitivity: 88%; PPV: 95%) and those of SS (sensitivity: 96%; PPV: 94%). CONCLUSION: WB-MRI that included DWI was useful for detecting bone metastasis.


Subject(s)
Bone Neoplasms/secondary , Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Whole Body Imaging , Adult , Aged , Bone Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Carcinoma/secondary , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Image Enhancement , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted , Leiomyosarcoma/secondary , Liposarcoma/secondary , Lymphatic Metastasis/diagnosis , Lymphatic Metastasis/diagnostic imaging , Male , Middle Aged , Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology , Radionuclide Imaging , Radiopharmaceuticals , Sarcoma, Ewing/secondary , Sensitivity and Specificity , Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology
9.
Radiology ; 239(1): 131-8, 2006 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16484347

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To retrospectively compare the accuracy in detection of hepatic metastases among contrast material-enhanced multi-detector row computed tomography (CT) alone, superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging alone, and a combination of contrast-enhanced CT and SPIO-enhanced MR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ethics committee did not require its approval or informed consent for this retrospective study, which was compliant with Declaration of Helsinki principles. Data in 38 patients (22 men, 16 women; mean age, 64.5 years; range, 35-78 years) suspected of having hepatic metastases who underwent both contrast-enhanced CT and SPIO-enhanced MR imaging were retrospectively analyzed. Twenty-one of the 38 patients had 61 metastases. Seventeen of the 61 metastases were confirmed histologically; the remaining 44 metastases were defined with imaging follow-up. At MR imaging, SPIO-enhanced heavily T1-weighted images, T2*-weighted gradient echo images, and T2-weighted fast spin-echo images were evaluated. Contrast-enhanced multi-detector row CT images obtained in the portal phase were evaluated. Four blinded observers independently reviewed CT images, MR images, and the combination of CT and MR images. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated by using the alternative free-response receiver operating characteristic (AFROC) method. Sensitivities and positive predictive values were also analyzed with the Fisher protected least significant difference test and generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: The mean area under the AFROC curve for the combined approach (0.70) was significantly higher than that for SPIO-enhanced MR imaging alone (0.58, P < .05, Fisher protected least significant difference test), and there was no significant difference between each of them and that for contrast-enhanced CT alone (0.66). For all lesions, the mean sensitivity of combined imaging (0.59) was significantly higher than that of CT (0.48) or MR imaging (0.43) alone (P < .05, Fisher protected least significant difference test and generalized estimating equations). For all lesions, the mean positive predictive values were 0.82, 0.89, and 0.81, for combined MR and CT, CT alone, and MR alone, respectively. CONCLUSION: The addition of SPIO-enhanced MR imaging to contrast-enhanced multi-detector row CT (ie, combined analysis of SPIO-enhanced MR images and contrast-enhanced CT images) can improve sensitivity in the detection of hepatic metastases, although this improvement in sensitivity was not significant at AFROC analysis.


Subject(s)
Contrast Media , Iron , Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis , Liver Neoplasms/secondary , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Oxides , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Adult , Aged , Dextrans , Female , Ferrosoferric Oxide , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Magnetite Nanoparticles , Male , Middle Aged , Reproducibility of Results , Retrospective Studies
10.
Radiology ; 237(3): 961-6, 2005 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16251394

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate retrospectively the accuracy of multi-detector row computed tomography (CT) in the assessment of serosal invasion in patients with gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Ethics Committee does not require approval or informed consent for retrospective studies. Forty-one consecutive patients (24 men, 17 women; mean age, 68 years) with gastric cancer were included in this study. All patients were given 600 mL of tap water to drink and were positioned prone or supine on the scanning table. The detector row configuration included four detector rows, a section thickness of 1.25 mm, a pitch of 6, and a reconstruction interval of 0.63 mm. Transverse and multiplanar reconstruction images were simultaneously evaluated by two independent observers to assess the depth of tumor invasion in the gastric wall (ie, T stage). T staging at multi-detector row CT was compared with T staging at histologic evaluation (reference standard), which was performed by means of surgical or histologic examination of the resected specimen. We also calculated the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of multi-detector row CT for each observer in the assessment of serosal invasion. RESULTS: Analysis of interobserver agreement showed substantial or almost perfect agreement (nonweighted kappa value of 0.78 and weighted kappa value of 0.85). Correct assessment of gastric wall invasion was 80% and 85% for observers 1 and 2, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of multi-detector row CT in the assessment of serosal invasion were 90%, 95%, and 93%, respectively, for observer 1 and 80%, 97%, and 93%, respectively, for observer 2. Overstaging occurred in six patients, and understaging occurred in five patients. All understaged tumors were scirrhous subtype gastric cancer. CONCLUSION: Multi-detector row CT scanning of patients with gastric cancer gave 93% accuracy in the assessment of serosal invasion in patients with gastric cancer.


Subject(s)
Stomach Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Invasiveness , Neoplasm Staging , Reproducibility of Results , Retrospective Studies , Sensitivity and Specificity , Stomach Neoplasms/pathology
11.
Magn Reson Med Sci ; 4(1): 11-7, 2005.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16127249

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness of whole body MRI (WB-MRI [magnetic resonance imaging]) and bone scintigram (BS) at detecting bone metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: WB-MRI was performed on 16 patients for detecting bone metastasis (6 breast carcinoma, 7 prostatic carcinoma, 1 renal cell carcinoma [RCC], 1 hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC], and 1 primary unknown). BS was also performed in all cases. Patients were placed on a table top extender (Philips Medical Systems). The maximal longitudinal field of view (FOV) was 200 cm. At first, the total spine was imaged in the sagittal plane with a three-station approach for two image sets (fast spin-echo [SE] T1-weighted images [T1WI] and short tau inversion recovery [STIR] images). The whole body was then imaged in the coronal plane with a seven-station approach for two image sets (fast field echo [FFE] T1WI and STIR). Total examination time, including patient positioning, was within 40 min. Three independent radiologists interpreted the imaging data. RESULTS: WB-MRI identified 5 cases of 24 lesions as bone metastasis, while BS identified 3 cases of 25 lesions. Concordance between WB-MRI and BS was seen in 3 cases of 22 lesions (81%). For two cases of 2 lesions, which were identified only with WB-MRI, the lesions were located in the sacrum and thoracic spine. For one case of 3 lesions, which was identified only with BS, the lesions were located in the skull and rib. CONCLUSION: WB-MRI was an excellent method for screening bone metastasis, especially the vertebral body.


Subject(s)
Bone Neoplasms/diagnosis , Bone Neoplasms/secondary , Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted/methods , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon/methods , Whole Body Imaging/methods , Aged , Bone Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Bone Neoplasms/pathology , Female , Humans , Image Enhancement/methods , Male , Middle Aged , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and Specificity
12.
Gan To Kagaku Ryoho ; 31(13): 2114-7, 2004 Dec.
Article in Japanese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15628754

ABSTRACT

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) has been often selected as a therapeutic option for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with intrahepatic metastases or portal vein thrombosis, which is not eligible for hepatic resection, tumor ablation, or embolization. Among various regimens, HAIC, consisting of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in combination with either low-doses of cisplatin (CDDP) or interferon-alpha has been reported to improve the response rates for advanced HCC. As both regimens require the use of an implanted port-catheter system, maintaining the patency of hepatic arteries is an important factor for the intrahepatic drug distribution and the efficacy of HAIC. Recently, a new product, CDDP powder has been also developed for intraarterial use, which adds a new option to HAIC. However, the long-term outcome or the survival benefit remains unclear with HAIC, and it may be significantly affected by liver function and cirrhosis. None of the regimens have been proved to be the standard for HAIC, and prospective multi-center clinical studies with standardized protocol are needed in the future.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy , Infusion Pumps, Implantable , Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/administration & dosage , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/mortality , Cisplatin/administration & dosage , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Doxorubicin/administration & dosage , Drug Administration Schedule , Fluorouracil/administration & dosage , Humans , Infusions, Intra-Arterial , Interferon-alpha/administration & dosage , Liver Neoplasms/mortality
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