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Biomedical subjects

A Furukawa

Publications and source records attributed to A Furukawa.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Evaluation of aortic distensibility using cine MR imaging].

Regional aortic distensibility was measured noninvasively using cine MR imaging to determine whether it correlates with aging or risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Twenty-two patients with CAD confirmed by angiography and 33 without CAD underwent cine MR imaging. Thirty-two sequential images were obtained in one cardiac cycle. The cross sectional area of the descending thoracic aorta was measured on both diastolic (A) and systolic (A') images. Aortic distensibility (A.D.) was calculated from the following equation: A.D. = (A'-A)/A/delta P. (delta P represents pulse pressure). Results of a simple regression analysis showed that decreased regional aortic distensibility was significantly correlated with the age of the patients (r = -0.762, p less than 0.005). In addition, the parameter was lower in patients with CAD than those without CAD (p less than 0.05). In conclusion, regional aortic distensibility derived from cine MR imaging is a useful parameter to evaluate not only aging but also pathological atherosclerosis of the aorta. In addition, this parameter might have some potential to evaluate the prediction of CAD in patients with normal serum cholesterol.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequences of bovine hepato-ferredoxin cDNA; identical primary structures of hepato- and adreno-ferredoxins.

1. The ferredoxin from bovine liver mitochondria, so-called hepatoredoxin, was purified and characterized as to its molecular weight, optical absorption spectrum and amino acid composition. 2. These properties were found to be very similar to those of adreno-ferredoxin. 3. To clarify the molecular basis of tissue specificity, the ferredoxin clones were obtained from a bovine liver library and the cDNA sequence of hepato-ferredoxin was determined. 4. The nucleotide sequence of hepato-ferredoxin clone was found to be identical to that of adreno-ferredoxin clone except for a single nucleotide in the 3' non-translated region. 5. Identical amino acid sequence of the two ferredoxins was confirmed by determining the partial amino acid sequence of the purified hepato-ferredoxin. 6. The results indicated that the organ specific activity of purified ferredoxin could not be explained by the different primary structure nor different RNA processing. 7. Other factors may be involved in the tissue specific properties of ferredoxins.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1992

Pulmonary metastatic nodules: CT-pathologic correlation.

To elucidate the characteristics of pulmonary metastatic nodules on high-resolution computed tomographic (HRCT) scans, a correlative computed tomographic (CT)-pathologic study was performed with five human lungs after autopsy. The relationship of metastatic nodules to pulmonary vessels was studied with HRCT scans, radiographs of the specimen, and stereomicroscopic study in 264 nodules 0.6-9.0 mm in diameter. On radiographs and stereomicroscopic images, 190 small nodules (less than 3 mm in diameter) were in contact with the pulmonary lobule on the central bronchovascular bundles (n = 33 [17.4%]), located between the central bronchovascular bundle and the perilobular structure (n = 127 [66.8%]), or attached to perilobular structures (n = 30 [15.8%]). On HRCT scans, 21 small nodules (11.1%) were located on the central bronchovascular bundle; 130 small nodules (68.4%), between the central bronchovascular bundle and the perilobular structure; and 39 small nodules (20.5%), on the perilobular structure. On radiographs and stereomicroscopic images, 43 of 74 large nodules (greater than 3 mm in diameter) (58%) compressed both bronchovascular bundles and perilobular structures. The central bronchovascular bundle was invaded in only 13 large nodules (18%).

Humans↗
PubMed1992

Robot system for preparing lymphocyte chromosome.

Towards the automatization of the scoring of chromosome aberrations in radiation dosimetry with the emphasis on the improvement of biological preparations, the conventional culture and harvesting method was modified. Based on this modified method, a culture and harvest robotic system (CHROSY) for system (CHROSY) for preparing lymphocyte chromosome was developed. The targeted points of the modification are as in the following. 1. Starting culture with purified lymphocytes in a fixed cell number. 2. Avoiding the loss of cells in changing the liquids following centrifugalization. 3. Keeping the quantity of the liquids to be applied to the treatments of cells fixed. 4. Building a system even a beginner can handle. System features are as follows. 1. Operation system: Handling robot having 5 degrees of freedom; a rotator incubator with an automatic sliding door; units for setting and removing pipette tips; a centrifuge equipped with a position adjuster and an automatic sliding door; two aluminum block baths; two nozzles as pipettes and aspirators connected to air pumps; a capping unit with a nozzle for CO2 gas; a compressor; and an air manipulated syringe. 2. Control system: NEC PC-9801RX21 with CRT; and program written in Basic and Assembly languages on MS-DOS. It took this system 2 hours and 25 minutes to harvest 2 cultures. A fairly good chromosome slide was made from the sample harvested by CHROSY automatically.

Chromosomes↗
PubMed1992

[Mutagenicity tests of suplatast tosilate (IPD-1151T)].

1. The reverse mutation test was carried out on suplatast tosilate (IPD-1151T) at dose range of 50-5000 micrograms/plate using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA100, TA1535, TA98 TA1538 and TA1537, and Escherichia coli strains WP2, WP2uvrA. In all tester strains no significant differences were observed in the number of revertant colonies as compared with solvent control in the absence or presence of mammalian metabolic activation system. 2. The chromosomal aberration test on IPD-1151T was carried out using cultured Chinese hamster lung cells (CHL). The cells were treated with IPD-1151T at the doses of 125, 250 and 500 micrograms/ml without S9 Mix and at the doses of 1250, 2500 and 5000 micrograms/ml with S9 Mix. The incidence of structural- and numeral-aberration was 0-4% in the absence or presence of mammalian metabolic activation system, no significant increases were observed in the incidence of chromosomal aberrations. 3. The micronucleus test using BDF1 male mice was conducted in order to evaluate the in vivo mutagenicity of IPD-1151T. IPD-1151T was orally administered at doses of 625, 1250, 2500 and 5000 mg/kg, with a sampling time of 24 hr. The frequency of polychromatic erythrocytes with micronuclei (MNPCE) was 0.23% in the lowest dose (625mg/kg) of IPD-1151T, but the frequency of MNPCE was 0.03-0.13% in the groups treated with 1250-5000 mg/kg of IPD-1151T and no significant increases were observed with dose dependence. The results indicated that IPD-1151T was negative, even in the assessment standard using our background data. 4. The present study indicates that IPD-1151T has no in vitro and in vivo mutagenic potential.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1992

[A case of erythropoietin-producing renal cell carcinoma with a skin metastasis].

An 83-year-old man came to our hospital complaining of asymptomatic gross hematuria. We found a subcutaneous tumor in his chest and an abdominal mass in his left upper quadrant. Laboratory data showed red blood cell count of 737 x 10(4)/mm3 and hemoglobin level of 17.9 g/dl. The serum erythropoietin level measured by radioimmunoassay was considerably high. He underwent left nephrectomy and tumor resection in the chest wall. Serum erythropoietin level became normal following surgery and erythrocytosis disappeared. Histological findings revealed renal cell carcinoma, alveolar type, clear cell subtype, grade 2. The erythropoietin levels of the extracts of the cancer tissue and the normal kidney tissue were 2430 mU/g and 59.5 mU/g, respectively. Lung, liver and bone metastases appeared four months after the operation and serum erythropoietin level increased again.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[Assessment of autonomic nervous function in impotence using sweat response induced by intradermal injection of acetylcholine].

It is important to evaluate the autonomic nervous function which controls penile erection. One method utilizes intradermal injection of acetylcholine to produce localized sweat response. The sweat response depends on the peripheral autonomic nervous supply. Therefore, the response can be used to detect peripheral autonomic nervous dysfunction. We tried to evaluate the peripheral autonomic dysfunction in 29 impotence using a sweat spots test. We classified the 29 impotence into 6 groups with standard tests such as the papaverine test, nocturnal penile tumescence monitoring, recordings of bulbocavernous reflex, etc. The results were as follows: psychogenic IMP; 8, neurogenic IMP; 8, arterial insufficiency; 5, corporeal veno-occlusive insufficiency; 6 neurogenic with arterial insufficiency; 1, and neurogenic with corporeal veno-occlusive insufficiency; 1. The score of sweat spots test was 25.3 +/- 10.9, being in normal, nineteen severe in 3 and slightly abnormal in 7. Many cases of severe and slightly abnormal patients were DM patients classified into neurogenic IMP. We found 2 cases that were not detected by bulbocavernous reflex but found to be abnormal by sweat spots test. Therefore we conclude that this test effective to detect the autonomic nervous dysfunction in impotence.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1992

[A resected case of teratoma of the lung].

Teratoma of the lung in a 32-year-old female is reported. Abnormal shadow on chest X-ray film was noted at the age of 15 years. Her symptoms were subclinical fever, couch, hemosputum and frequent respiratory infections. Chest X-ray film and CT scan revealed a cyst with an intracystic solid mass in the left upper lung. Bronchogram demonstrated communication of the cyst with B5a and B5b bronchi. The left upper lobe was resected. Microscopic examination of the resected specimen revealed a mature teratoma of the lung. Teratoma of the lung is very rare. This case was diagnosed at surgery and was confirmed by microscopic examination.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Study of recombinant human erythropoietin treatment on the anemia of predialysis patients].

We conducted a multiple-center joint study on the effects of recombinant human erythropoietin (rEPO) for predialysis patients. rEPO was intravenously administered to 42 predialysis patients (13 males and 29 females) with hematocrit (Ht) levels of less than 30%. The subjects were divided into group A (28 cases) in which rEPO was administered twice a week, and group B (14 cases) with rEPO administration once a week. The initial administration dosage was 6000IU/week. The Ht levels were 22.6 +/- 3.3% for group A and 23.2 +/- 2.7% for group B before the administration of rEPO, and increased to 31.0 +/- 4.0% and 27.7 +/- 3.7% respectively twelve weeks after initiating administration. The levels of effective improvement on anemia included 'markedly effective' in 17 cases (80.9%) and 'effective' in 2 cases (9.5%) in group A, and 'markedly effective' in 5 cases (41.7%) and 'effective' in 3 cases (25.0%) in group B. No significant change was seen in serum creatinine (Cr) levels during the study period. In the evaluation of renal function by reciprocal serum creatinine (1/Cr), a consistent tendency was not recognized; thus, suggesting that the rEPO administration had no effect on the renal function. No variation of blood pressure was seen. As far as side effects were concerned, headache and heavy headedness were recognized in four cases. There were, however, no cases in which the severity of the side effects dictated the discontinuation of the rEPO administration. In conclusion, rEPO was judged to be a safe and effective treatment for the anemia of predialysis patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Study of factors related to hypotension in hemodialysis patients.

The factors related to hypotension in hemodialysis patients were evaluated. The subjects consisted of 120 hemodialysis patients (61 males and 59 females), whose ages ranged between 28 and 82 years, and who had undergone hemodialysis treatment for a period ranging between 3 and 201 months. They were divided into three groups: Group A, 53 normotensive patients; Group B, 52 patients with hypotension during hemodialysis; and Group C, 15 patients with constant hypotension. The evaluated factors were age, sex, etiology of renal failure, hemodialysis term, ultrafiltered volume, responsiveness to vasopressor drugs, Cr, Na, Ht, TP, cardiothoracic ratio, presence or absence of heart disease, and microvibration pattern. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate analysis (Quantification II and IV methods). The results of the Quantification IV method indicated that Groups A and B were similar but Group C was quite different from the other two groups. The results of the Quantification II method indicated that the most important factor which characterized the difference between Group A and Group C was the responsiveness to vasopressor drugs, and the most important factor in the difference between Group B and Group C was the microvibration pattern. Group B was characterized by abnormal microvibration patterns and Group C was characterized by a low responsiveness of the peripheral vessels to vasopressor drugs. We conclude that the hypotension during hemodialysis was caused predominantly by dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, while the constant hypotension was caused predominantly by a deterioration of constriction of the peripheral vessels.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Comparative renal toxicity of metallothioneins with different cadmium/zinc ratios in rats.

The comparative renal toxicity of rats after injection of cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn)-metallothioneins (MTs) with different Cd/Zn ratios at the same dose of 200 micrograms MT-bound Cd/kg was studied. From determination of the urinary excretion of protein, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and glucose, which are indices of Cd-induced renal damage, the extent of the renal toxicity of the MTs used here was in the order (1 Cd/0Zn)-MT = (2Cd/1Zn)-MT greater than (1Cd/2Zn)-MT greater than (1Cd/6Zn)-MT. The characterization of Cd, Zn and Cu in the urine after injection of MTs was examined using a Sephadex G-75 column. (1Cd/0Zn)-MT injection showed that Cd was present mainly in lower-molecular-weight fractions, with only small amounts of Cd in the MT fraction. Upon injection of other MTs, Cd was present mainly in the MT fraction and increased with decreasing Cd/Zn ratio. Zn was present mainly in lower-molecular-weight fractions and Cu mainly in the MT fraction, indicating the replacement of MT-bound Zn by Cu. The cumulative urinary excretion of Cd during 12 days after injection of MTs decreased with increasing Cd/Zn ratio. The Cd content of the kidney and liver increased with increasing Cd/Zn ratio. The results of this study indicate that in rats injected with MTs with different Cd/Zn ratios, the renal uptake of Cd increases with increasing Cd/Zn ratio, resulting in more severe renal damage.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[The meanings of the papaverine test].

Intracavernous administration of papaverine is now commonly employed for diagnosis and therapy of impotence. To assess the pharmacokinetics of papaverine, we recorded its concentration in peripheral blood and also in cavernous blood after intravenous and intracavernous injection of 40 mg of papaverine. Peripheral blood was sampled serially after injection. Plasma was immediately extracted and then kept at at -40 degrees C until analysis. High pressure liquid chromatography was used to record the concentration of papaverine. The maximum serum concentration of papaverine measured after intracavernous injection was 7.7 ng/ml, which was considerably lower than the average serum concentration of 24.0 ng/ml after intravenous injection. Peak serum concentration was reached 1 min after intravenous injection and 10 min after intracavernous injection. It is clear that the corpus cavernosum constitutes a separate pharmacokinetic compartment. Therefore there was no significant difference between the papaverine concentration in peripheral blood of patients who showed full erection after intracavernous injection and that of patients who did not achieve erection. The concentration of papaverine in the intracavernous blood of a fully erected penis was only about 1 microgram/ml after 20 min. This concentration is similar to that in cavernous blood of those who showed excessively persistent erection. Our results imply that papaverine administered into the cavernous space relaxes smooth muscle, and is then washed out to general circulation, and the concentration in the cavernous space reaches a low level of about 1 microgram/ml. The low concentration level is maintained for several hours during erection. Therefore, we presume that papaverine acts on both the inflow system and smooth muscle of cavernous tissue in the phase of producing erections.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors in patients with prostatic cancer].

A multivariate statistical analysis of 9 potential prognostic factors was made, using data gathered on 107 patients admitted between 1975 and 1987. After each variable was assessed separately for its prognostic importance by means of univariate analysis, a multivariate analysis using Cox's proportional hazards regression model and multivariate logistic model was done. These tests identified Gleason's score as the most important factor for all patients followed by M category and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), while Gleason's score alkaline phosphatase and age at diagnosis were most important for stage D patients. For short-term survival, the significant prognostic factors were Gleason's score and M category while for long term survival they were Gleason's score and age. T. category, stage, acid phosphatase, prostatic acid phosphatase, and treatment were found to be significantly related to survival time when examined individually; they were not found to be significant in the multivariate analysis.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1990

Effect of N-benzyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate on renal toxicity induced by cadmium-metallothionein in rats.

The effect of N-benzyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (BGD) on the renal toxicity induced by acute exposure to cadmium-metallothionein (Cd-MT) in rats was studied. Rats were injected intraperitoneally with BGD (400 mumol/kg) 6, 12, or 24 h after intraperitoneal injection of Cd-MT (1.78 mumol Cd as Cd-MT/kg) and thereafter they received three injections of BGD (400 mumol/kg) daily for 3 days. Urinary protein concentration and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity significantly increased 1 day after Cd-MT treatment and decreased to control levels at 9 days after the treatment. Urinary excretion of glucose and amino acids rose gradually reaching maximum levels 5 days after Cd-MT treatment and returned to the control levels at 9 days. BGD injection significantly reduced the increases in the urinary excretion of protein, AST, glucose and amino acid, which were produced by Cd-MT treatment. Significant increases in urine volume were observed after Cd-MT treatment. BGD injection inhibited the increase in urine volume caused by Cd-MT treatment. A long time interval (12 and 24 h) between the administrations of Cd-MT and BGD resulted in a decreased protective effect of BGD against Cd-MT-induced renal damage. Following Cd-MT injection, the major route of excretion of cadmium (Cd) was via the urine and the kidney was the major site of accumulation of Cd. BGD injection remarkably increased the urinary excretion of Cd, resulting in a significant reduction in the kidney Cd concentration. The results of this study indicate that BGD injection is effective in decreasing the Cd concentration in the kidney, resulting in the protective effect on Cd-MT-induced renal damage.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1990

Mutagenicity tests of mofezolac (N-22).

1. The reverse mutation test was carried out on mofezolac (N-22) at dose range of 50-5000 micrograms/plate using Salmonella typhimurium strains, TA100, TA98, TA1535 and TA1537, and Escherichia coli strain WP2uvrA. In all tester strains no significant increases were observed in the number of revertant colonies as compared with solvent control in the absence or presence of mammalian metabolic activation system. 2. The chromosomal aberration test on N-22 was carried out using cultured Chinese hamster lung cells (CHL). The cells were treated with N-22 at the doses of 37.5, 75.0, 150 and 300 micrograms/ml without S9 Mix and at the doses of 150, 300, 450 and 600 micrograms/ml with S9 Mix. No significant differences were found in the incidence of structural-and numeral-aberrations of chromosomes as compared with the solvent control in the system without S9 Mix. However, in the system with S9 Mix, structural aberration (11.5%) and numeral aberration (14.2%) of chromosomes were observed in the groups of dosing 600 micrograms/ml with dose dependency. 3. These results indicate that N-22 has clastogenic activity by the metabolic activation.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Micronucleus test of mofezolac (N-22).

A micronucleus test using BDF1 male mice was conducted in order to evaluate the in vivo mutagenicity of mofezolac (N-22). N-22 was orally administered at doses of 75, 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg, with a sampling time of 24 hr. The frequency of polychromatic erythrocytes with micronuclei was 0.07-0.08% in the groups treated with N-22 and did not differ markedly from that of the vehicle control (0.13%). The present study indicates that N-22 has no in vivo mutagenic properties.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Scleroderma renal crisis in progressive systemic sclerosis: a case report.

We report a case of progressive systemic sclerosis with scleroderma renal crisis 10 years after onset. The patient (female) had progressive renal dysfunction, hypertension which was difficult to control, and massive gastrointestinal bleeding. An angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (enalapril) could not control her hypertension. Only intravenous nicardipine had a slight effect on her hypertension. Hemodialysis and plasma exchange, did not reverse the renal crisis, and the patient died. Microscopic examination of her kidney showed thickening of the capillary walls and mild nephrosclerosis.

Acute Kidney Injury↗