Hidetoshi Fukatsu

The Dissolution of Cystine Stones by Irrigated Tiopronin Solution

A new method involving the introduction of tiopronin solution directly into the renal pelvis or bladder has been developed for the treatment of cystine stones. Therapeutic irrigation by tiopronin solution was done in 4 cases of residual cystine kidney stones using a nephrostomy tube, and in an infant with bladder cystine stones using a Foley 3-way catheter. In every case all of the cystine stones were dissolved completely. During the course of the treatment no abnormality was noted on blood, liver function or immunological tests. Neither have there been any negative side effects, such as eruption, anorexia, nausea, diarrhea or general fatigue. The significance of this irrigation process is that whereas nephrectomy, heminephrectomy or nephrolithotomy was necessary previously to remove kidney cystine stones, now only pyelolithotomy and nephrostomy tube insertion are necessary. Furthermore, an operation is unnecessary in cases of bladder cystine stone dissolution by tiopronin irrigation.

THE TREATMENT WITH TRANILAST, A MAST CELL BLOCKER, FOR IDIOPATHIC OLIGOZOOSPERMIA

Although many drug treatments have been reported to theoretically improve semen parameters in male infertility, a standard method has not been established. The authors examined whether tranilast, a mast cell blocker, improves fertility and/or semen parameters in severe oligozoospermia. Seventeen patients with a sperm density of less than 10 2 10 6 sperm/mL and their fertile partners were enrolled in this study. Patients were prescribed tranilast 300 mg/day for at least 12 weeks. Semen and blood samples were collected before and after the prescription of tranilast for 12 weeks. Semen parameters, serum gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, serum testosterone, and testicular size were evaluated. One patient complained of mild drowsiness during treatment. The sperm count was significantly increased after administration of tranilast in 7 patients (41.1%), although sperm motility was not altered. Semen volume and normal morphology were also unaltered. Three pregnancies were achieved. Endocrine profile and testicular size were unchanged. Tranilast, a mast cell blocker, is clinically useful for the treatment of severe idiopathic oligozoospermic men.

Isolation and characterization of mouse CD7 cDNA.

The human CD7 antigen is a glycoprotein, Mr40 000, expressed on the surface of peripheral blood T-lymphocytes and thymocytes, and is the earliest surface antigen to appear on T-cell lineage cells. In this study, putative mouse CD7 cDNA was identified based on its similarities with human CD7. Five independent clones originating from the same mRNA species were isolated (designated as mCD7) by screening a mouse thymocyte cDNA library with human CD7 cDNA, J61, under moderate stringency. The longest insert of a 995 base pair had an open reading frame of 210 amino acids. Northern blot analysis using the mouse CD7 cDNA probe demonstrated a single 1.2 kilobase mRNA ni the thymus, spleen, bone marrow, and small intestine. The protein deduced from mCD7 cDNA consisted of the leader, extracellular, transmembrane, and cytoplasmic domains of 24, 126, 21, and 39 amino acids, respectively, based on the hydrophobicity plot and the structure of human CD7. The extracellualr domain contained three potential N-glycosilation sites, while the cytoplasmic domain contained one potential protein kinase C phosphorylation site. The amino acid sequence had 45.5% similarity with human CD7, while the similarities for the individual domains ranged from 49.2% to 63.2%. The six highly conserved regions, which may possibly be involved with still unknown CD7-mediated functions, were located in the extracellular and cytoplasmic domains.

Treatment of Oligoasthenozoospermia with Tranilast, a Mast Cell Blocker, After Long-Term Administration

The authors retrospectively examined whether long-term administration of tranilast improves semen parameters in severe oligoasthenozoospermia. Fifty-two patients presenting with sperm concentration of less than 10 2 10 6 sperm/mL were enrolled. Subjects were partitioned into 3 groups as follows: patients displaying an atrophic testis with elevated (FSH) (group 1), patients exhibiting normal testicular volume with elevated FSH (group 2), and patients with normal testicular volume and normal FSH levels (group 3). Tranilast (300mg/day) was administered until pregnancy was achieved or for a period of up to 12 months. Sperm concentration was significantly increased at 3 months in 16 subjects (44%) in groups 1 and 3. In group 2, sperm concentration was increased at 12 months (5 of 16 subjects; 31%). Total sperm count was obviously elevated at 3 months in groups 1 and 2, and at 6 months in group 3. Six pregnancies were achieved via natural intercourse. Tranilast, a mast cell blocker, demonstrates a certain clinical benefit in terms of improvement of semen parameters involving severe oligoasthenozoospermia, but it does not appear to afford clinical benefit in long-term administration.

Retrograde ureteroscopic endopyelotomy using the holmium:YAG laser

Abstract Background : We report our experience of retrograde ureteroscopic endopyelotomy using the holmium laser for ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction not associated with upper tract stones.

Endoscopic ureteral incision using the holmium:YAG laser

Abstract Background: We reviewed the results of endoscopic ureteral incision for benign ureteral stricture, ureteropelvic junction obstruction and ureteroenteroanastomotic stricture using the holmium laser.

Clinical study of transitional cell carcinoma of the prostate associated with bladder transitional cell carcinoma.

Abstract Background: Transitional cell carcinoma of the prostate in patients with bladder cancer appears to influence the prognosis and affects the decision about therapeutic modality. Therefore, it is important to characterize transitional cell carcinoma associated with bladder cancer.

Microsurgical vasoepididymostomy with sperm cryopreservation for future assisted reproduction

Abstract Background Although obstructive azoospermia is treatable with microscopic seminal reconstruction, the number of patients who choose to undergo vasoepididymostomy is limited because of recent advances in assisted reproductive technology (ART). We attempted to define the outcome of surgical reconstruction in patients with suspected epididymal obstruction and no previous history of vasectomy.

Vesicourethral Anastomotic Suture Placement during Radical Prostatectomy Using Maniceps

Introduction: A new method of using a semiautomatic device (Maniceps) for precise vesicourethral anastomosis during radical retropubic prostatectomy is described. Methods: A total of 15 patients underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy with this technique. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 16 months. The retrograde urethrocystography was performed at 2 weeks. Patients were evaluated specifically for anastomotic time, anastomotic obstruction and urinary continence. Results: The average anastomotic time was 8.1 (range 5–12) min. The catheter of all patients could be removed at 2 weeks. Anastomotic obstruction occurred in 1 patient (6.7%), and 14 patients (93.3%) were completely continent of urine. Conclusion: Maniceps is a useful procedure to carry out vesicourethral anastomosis safely, easily and surely, and it has provided good surgical results in our experience.

Effective treatment of bladder tumor-bearing mice by direct delivery of bleomycin using electrochemotherapy.

We investigated the cytotoxicity on the combination of bleomycin (BLM) with electric pulses against transplanted bladder tumors in nude mice. Loading with high-voltage electric pulse after injection of BLM was associated with a decrease in tumor size; tumor size became smaller and disappeared 8 days after the treatment. Such complete regression was achieved with one treatment using BLM of one-tenth the lethal dose (LD 50) combined with electric pulses. On day 20, regrowth was observed at a much slower rate than at lower concentrations of BLM. Pathological examinations of the tumor tissues after treatment revealed disruption of the nucleus in the exposed tissues on day 2. Furthermore, a decrease in number of the stained nuclei and cytoplasmic lysis were observed on day 4. These results showed that electric pulses was an effective tool to deliver drugs into bladder tumor cells and an effective treatment method for bladder tumors.