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Biomedical subjects

A Higashiyama

Publications and source records attributed to A Higashiyama.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Localization of electrocutaneous stimuli on the fingers and forearm: effects of electrode configuration and body axis.

Four experiments were done on the effects of electrode configuration (concentric vs. unifocal) and body axis (longitudinal vs. transverse) on localization of electrocutaneous pulse stimuli at the fingers and forearm. Subjects pointed to the apparent location of current pulses. For the transverse placement of electrodes, pulses were localized correctly, whatever the configuration and the body site might be. In addition, intrasubject variability at the forearm was smaller for the transverse axis than for the longitudinal axis. For the longitudinal placement of electrodes, pulses were localized as a function of configuration and body site. At the fingers, concentric electrodes provided precise localization but unifocal electrodes provided a great mislocalization; and intrasubject variability of localization was larger for the unifocal electrodes than for the concentric electrodes. At the forearm, whatever the configuration might be, the pulses were localized more proximally than the stimulus site; and intrasubject variability of localization did not differ between the configurations. These results are related to Boring's anchor theory, apparent distance between two points, and the localization of other somatosensory stimuli.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Anisotropic perception of visual angle: implications for the horizontal-vertical illusion, overconstancy of size, and the moon illusion.

Three experiments investigated anisotropic perception of visual angle outdoors. In Experiment 1, scales for vertical and horizontal visual angles ranging from 20 degrees to 80 degrees were constructed with the method of angle production (in which the subject reproduced a visual angle with a protractor) and the method of distance production (in which the subject produced a visual angle by adjusting viewing distance). In Experiment 2, scales for vertical and horizontal visual angles of 5 degrees-30 degrees were constructed with the method of angle production and were compared with scales for orientation in the frontal plane. In Experiment 3, vertical and horizontal visual angles of 3 degrees-80 degrees were judged with the method of verbal estimation. The main results of the experiments were as follows: (1) The obtained angles for visual angle are described by a quadratic equation, theta' = a + b theta + c theta 2 (where theta is the visual angle; theta', the obtained angle; a, b, and c, constants). (2) The linear coefficient b is larger than unity and is steeper for vertical direction than for horizontal direction. (3) The quadratic coefficient c is generally smaller than zero and is negatively larger for vertical direction than for horizontal direction. And (4) the obtained angle for visual angle is larger than that for orientation. From these results, it was possible to predict the horizontal-vertical illusion, over-constancy of size, and the moon illusion.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Continuous monitoring of coronary venous oxygen saturation during PTCA and its relation to electrocardiographic ST changes].

The purpose of this study was to investigate change in coronary venous oxygen saturation (CSO2-Sat) during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and to compare the results with those of standard 12-lead ECGs (s-ECG) and epicardial ECG induced using an intracoronary guidewire (ic-ECG). CSO2-Sat was measured continuously in 10 patients undergoing PTCA; 5 patients with lesions in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), one with lesions in the left circumflex artery (LCX), and 4 with right coronary artery (RCA) lesions. The results were as follows: 1. In all 6 patients with stenotic lesions in the left coronary artery, CSO2-Sat decreased by 5 to 22% immediately after balloon inflation. Significant changes in ic-ECG (ST deviation > or = 0.1 mV) were observed in 5 of the 6 patients, while significant changes in s-ECG (ST deviation > or = 0.1 mV) were observed in only 3 of the 6 patients. The s-ECG did not seem to be sensitive enough to represent myocardial ischemia in the LCX. 2. The interval from the balloon inflation to the significant change was shorter for CSO2-Sat than for the ECGs in 4 of the 5 patients with LAD lesions, except Case 4. The recovery time of CSO2-Sat to the basal level on balloon deflation was longer than the recovery times of ic-ECG and s-ECG. 3. There was no significant change in the CSO2-Sat in 3 of the 4 patients undergoing PTCA for RCA lesions, while significant changes were observed in the ic-ECG and s-ECG in all 4 patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed1992

[Inverse relationship between coronary flow velocity and myocardial oxygen extraction during intracoronary infusion of papaverine].

The relationship between coronary blood flow velocity (CBFV) and myocardial oxygen extraction (O2-Ext) was investigated during rapid changes of CBFV after intracoronary papaverine infusion. In 6 patients without stenosis of the left anterior descending artery (LAD), one with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, 2 with syndrome X and 3 with effort angina pectoris, simultaneous measurements of CBFV using the Doppler catheter system and coronary venous oxygen saturation using the fiberoptic catheter system were continuously performed before and during intracoronary infusion of papaverine. When O2-Ext was related to CBFV in every cardiac cycle, there was a good, inverse linear relationship, both in the increase (r = 0.81 +/- 0.24) and decrease (r = 0.93 +/- 0.04) phases of CBFV. The increase in cross-sectional area of segment 6 in the LAD as observed on orthogonal coronary angiograms was 6.0 +/- 2.0%. These results imply that the increase in CBFV during intracoronary papaverine infusion seems parallel to that of coronary blood flow, and that papaverine induces no significant change in myocardial oxygen consumption. Myocardial oxygen extraction in response to changes in coronary flow is regulated readily to meet the myocardial oxygen demand.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Evaluation of myocardial oxygen extraction dynamics in syndrome X by continuous measurement of coronary sinus oxygen saturation and its relation to clinical features].

We investigated the relation of myocardial oxygen extraction dynamics to pathophysiology and clinical features in syndrome X. In patients with syndrome X who underwent cardiac catheterization, coronary sinus oxygen saturation (n = 21) during rapid atrial pacing loading was continuously measured using a fiberoptic catheter system, and global and regional left ventricular function (n = 14) was evaluated before and immediately after pacing loading. Results were as follows: 1) In 5 of 21 patients with syndrome X, coronary sinus oxygen saturation during pacing loading fell less than 5% below the baseline without any impairments of global and regional left ventricular function. 2) In 16 patients with syndrome X, coronary sinus oxygen saturation during the pacing loading continuously fell over 5% below the baseline accompanied by impairment of both global and regional left ventricular function. The decrease in regional wall motion of the left ventricle was mainly observed in the apical area. These findings imply that changes in myocardial oxygen extraction dynamics in syndrome X during rapid atrial pacing may show the extent of a patchy area where myocardial oxygen demand-supply imbalance occurs due to coronary microcirculatory disturbances.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Perceived locus and intensity of electrocutaneous stimulation.

Two experiments investigated perceived locus and intensity for electrocutaneous stimulation. In Experiment 1, 21 subjects reported the perceived locus for various combinations of four electrode sites, two current directions, two pulse characteristics (single versus multiple), and two sensation levels (detection versus pain). In Experiment 2, 16 subjects reported the perceived locus and intensity for a wide range of current levels and two polarity conditions. The main results were 1) sensations were likely to be perceived under the cathode at detection levels, but under both electrodes at intense levels; 2) the "cathode" localization was gradually supplanted by "both" ("anode" and "cathode") localization with increasing current; 3) subjective intensity under the cathode was greater than that under the anode; 4) the effects of cathode position on perceived locus were found for only some pairs of electrodes. These results challenge the simple hypothesis that electrical stimulation of the skin through paired electrodes is perceived under the cathode.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Coronary collateral function evaluated by coronary hemodynamics and myocardial lactate metabolism during rapid atrial pacing].

To elucidate coronary collateral function in the ischemic myocardium, we studied coronary hemodynamics and myocardial lactate metabolism of the collateral-dependent myocardium before and during rapid atrial pacing. Subjects consisted of 38 patients who were categorized into 3 groups according to their coronary and coronary collateral arteriographic findings: 14 patients with normal coronary arteriograms (Group A), 15 with significant stenosis in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) without collaterals (Group B), and 9 with LAD stenosis and collaterals (Group C). Estimates of cross-sectional area (CSA) obtained from the orthogonal coronary arteriograms, and the great cardiac vein flow (GCVF) and myocardial lactate extraction ratio (MLER) before and during rapid atrial pacing were used as parameters to evaluate coronary stenosis. The results were as follows: 1. The cross-sectional areas in Groups B and C were 86% and 91% of that in Group A, respectively. 2. In Group B, there was a good linear relationship between cross-sectional area and % delta GCVF, as shown in % delta GCVF = 2.90 + 36.22 x CSA (r = 0.61, p < 0.05). This relationship was modified in Group C, increasing % delta GCVF against CSA. 3. Myocardial lactate extraction ratio in Groups B and C decreased significantly after rapid atrial pacing, while, it remained unchanged in Group A. This ratio after rapid atrial pacing did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. 4. In 3 of 4 patients with total LAD occlusions, GCVF and anterior coronary resistance before and during rapid atrial pacing were similar to those of Group A.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cardiac Pacing, Artificial↗
PubMed1991

[A case of Schönlein-Henoch purpura with myocardial complications].

A rare case of Schönlein-Henoch purpura with myocardial complications was reported. A 64-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for further examination of hematuria, associated with arthralgia, proteinuria, and previous episodes of anasarca and orthopnea. The examinations revealed moderate renal dysfunction due to mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis secondary to Schönlein-Henoch purpura. In addition, the patient proved to have cardiac dilatation and dysfunction of the left ventricle. The histological examination of the right ventricular subendocardium sampled by myocardial biopsy showed myocardial damage, suggesting the invasion of microvasculitis in Schönlein-Henoch purpura to the peripheral coronary vessels. These findings indicate that myocardial damage induced in the patient may be one of the complications caused by Schönlein-Henoch purpura.

Cardiac Catheterization↗
PubMed1991

[Coronary venous oxygen saturation dynamics during intracoronary infusion of ergonovine or acetylcholine in vasospastic angina].

We investigated changes in coronary venous oxygen saturation (CSO2-Sat) dynamics during intracoronary infusion of ergonovine (ERG) or acetylcholine (ACh) in patients with vasospastic angina. In 16 patients with suspected vasospasm in the left coronary artery, intracoronary ERG injection provoked vasospasm in 4 out of 6 patients, and intracoronary ACh in 6 out of 11 patients. A gradual decrease in CSO2-Sat, anteceding angina and ischemic ECG evidence, was characteristic in ERG-induced vasospastic patients, while no significant change of CSO2-Sat was observed in non ERG-induced patients. Intracoronary infusion of ACh was followed in all 11 patients by a transient increase in CSO2-Sat, suggesting decreased myocardial oxygen extraction due to increased coronary blood flow with ACh. However, earlier and sudden decreases in CSO2-Sat below the control levels were characteristic in 6 patients with ACh-induced vasospastic angina. These findings suggest that effects of ERG and ACh on coronary flow dynamics are essentially different although both drugs can provoke vasospasm.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1990

Electrocutaneous spatial integration at threshold: the effects of electrode size.

Five experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of electrode size on threshold for current pulses that flowed between the ventral and dorsal sides of the right forearm. The main result was that the total current threshold decreases as the size of the cathode and anode increases at least up to 15 mm in diameter. To account for this finding, a neural summation model was proposed, assuming that the central nervous system sums up neural impulses discharged near the conduction paths under electrodes. It was also found that the current flowing from the dorsal to the ventral side provided lower thresholds and more stable localization than the opposite flow of current did. This finding suggested that current threshold and its perceived locus are determined by both the body site on which electrodes were placed and the relative polarity that was assigned to electrodes.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Visual alleys as a function of instructions under informative and reduced conditions of viewing.

Three experiments were designed to explore parallel and distance alleys as a function of instructions (apparent and objective) under three different distance-cue conditions. The main findings were that (1) the alleys for the apparent instructions were positioned closer to the median plane than those for the objective instructions, (2) in an indoor setting, the parallel and distance alleys were not different under either the apparent or the objective instructions, and (3) in an outdoor setting, the parallel alley lay inside the distance alley under both the apparent and the objective instructions. On the basis of comparison with some of the previous alley studies, it is suggested that exact control of instructions will not produce great discrepancy between the parallel and the distance alleys that were constructed indoors.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Evaluation of left ventricular mechanical energy efficiency and ventriculo-arterial coupling in humans using the conductance catheter technique].

To evaluate left ventricular mechanical energy efficiency and ventriculo-arterial coupling in humans, left ventricular pressure-volume relations were determined using the conductance catheter technique in 20 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. The results were as follows: 1. A convex, curvilinear relationship was observed between end-systolic pressure-volume relations (Emax) and left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), as shown in the equation of EF = 28.5 x log (Emax) + 39.6 (r = 0.67, p less than 0.01, n = 20); EF remained nearly constant in the range of Emax greater than or equal to 4 mmHg/ml/m2, whereas, EF decreased markedly under the Emax of 4 mmHg/ml/m2. 2. A convex, curvilinear relationship was observed between Emax and mechanical energy efficiency (EW/PVA), as shown in the equation of EW/PVA = 30.5 x log (Emax) + 54.8 (r = 0.83, p less than 0.01, n = 16). 3. A concave, curvilinear relationship was observed between Emax and ventriculo-arterial coupling (Ea/Emax), as shown in the equation of Ea/Emax = -0.8 x (Emax)0.5 + 2.6 (r = -0.85, p less than 0.01, n = 16). Accordingly, EW/PVA was markedly decreased with changes in Emax in the range less than 4 mmHg/ml/m2, although it remained slightly increased above 4 mmHg/ml/m2. Ea/Emax was maintained constant (p less than 0.5) in the range of Emax above 4 mmHg/ml/m2 but was abruptly decreased when Emax was reduced below 4 mmHg/ml/m2. These results indicate that depressed left ventricle attempts to work effectively at the risk of mechanical energy efficiency and with suitable matching by aortic property. Application of pressure-volume relationships provides a new framework for evaluation and treatment of the failing heart.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Magnitude estimates for electrical pulses: evidence for two neural mechanisms.

The hypothesis that there are two neural mechanisms for electrocutaneous stimulation--one that is sensitive to low current and is adaptive to repeated stimulation and another that is responsive to high current and is less adaptive--was tested in a control and four main experiments. In the main experiments, magnitude estimates obtained for single electrical pulses (of 2-msec duration) were described by a simple power function for each combination of high- and low-current levels and 10 trial blocks. The results were: (1) The slope of the power function for low current was steeper than was that for high current; (2) for low current, the intercept of the power function decreased with increasing block, whereas for high current, it remained constant over blocks; (3) this decrease of the intercept for low current disappeared when judgmental blocks were separated by a rest period of 8 min; (4) the modulus did not affect the slope; (5) for a large modulus combined with low current, the intercept decreased rapidly over trial blocks, whereas for a small modulus combined with high current, the intercept increased over trial blocks. The first four findings support the two-mechanism hypothesis, but the last one may also be interpretable in terms of the regression to absolute scale values.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Curvature of binocular visual space. A modified method of right triangle.

A modified method of right triangle was proposed to estimate curvature of binocular visual space, as the empirical relation between the physical and visual spaces. Four experiments were reported and three conclusions were drawn from the results: the locus of apparent equidistance lies between the physically equidistant curve and the Vieth-Müller circle; visual angle is overestimated; the curvature is dependent on both angular separation of light points and their viewing direction.

Depth Perception↗