[Marked arytenoid edema in severely disabled children with gastroesophageal reflux].
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Arytenoid Cartilage↗
Biomedical subjects
A Seki
Publications and source records attributed to A Seki.
Positron emission tomography scanning is not superior to whole body multidetector helical computed tomography in the preoperative staging of colorectal cancer.
BACKGROUND: The role of positron emission tomography with the glucose analogue [18F] fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG-PET) in the initial staging of disease in patients with primary colorectal cancer (CRC) has not been adequately assessed. AIMS: To evaluate the additional value of FDG-PET as a staging modality, complementary to routine multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) in patients with CRC. METHODS: Forty four patients with CRC underwent preoperative MDCT and FDG-PET. The accuracy of intraoperative macroscopic staging was also investigated compared with histopathological diagnosis. All FDG-PET images were evaluated with respect to detectability of the primary tumour, lymph node involvement, and distant metastases. Both MDCT and FDG-PET diagnoses and treatment plan were compared with surgical and histopathological results. RESULTS: Thirty seven patients underwent surgery. Tumour detection rate was 95% (42/44) for MDCT, 100% (44/44) for FDG-PET, and 100% (37/37) for intraoperative macroscopic diagnosis. Pathological diagnosis of T factor was T1 in five, T2 in four, T3 in 24, and T4 in four cases. Concordance rate with pathological findings of T factor was 57% (21/37) for MDCT and 62% (23/37) for macroscopic diagnosis. Lymph node involvement was pathologically positive in 19 cases. Regarding N factor, overall accuracy was 62% (23/37) for MDCT, 59% (22/37) for FDG-PET, and 70% (26/37) for macroscopic diagnosis. For all 44 patients, FDG-PET findings resulted in treatment changes in only one (2%) patient. CONCLUSION: FDG-PET is not superior to routine MDCT in the initial staging of primary CRC.
Adult↗
Effects of h-PTH on cancellous bone mass, connectivity, and bone strength in ovariectomized rats with and without sciatic-neurectomy.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether h-PTH (1-34) treatment would recover cancellous bone connectivity and bone strength in ovariectomized (OVX) or ovariectomized and sciatic-neurectomized (OVX+NX) rats. Seven-month-old female Wistar rats were treated with h-PTH or vehicle (6.0 microg/kg, six times a week, subcutaneously) for four weeks beginning 4, 8, or 12 weeks after OVX or OVX+NX. These were compared to age-matched baseline and sham-operated groups. Right tibiae were used for bone histomorphometry and node-strut analysis, and left tibiae were used for mechanical testing. The bone formation rates in the OVX and OVX+NX rats treated with h-PTH were significantly higher than those in their baseline controls. h-PTH treatment increased the node numbers and failure energies in the OVX rats, compared to their baseline controls, at all time points. However, in the OVX+NX rats, the effects of h-PTH treatment on the node number and failure energy were observed only at four weeks after surgery, but not at eight weeks or 12 weeks after surgery. These results suggest that the lowest limit, at which trabecular connectivity and bone strength are able to be restored by h-PTH, occurred between four and eight weeks in OVX+NX rats, but not in OVX rats. h-PTH cannot recover trabecular connectivity and bone strength in advanced osteopenia.
Animals↗
Design and synthesis of a highly selective EP4-receptor agonist. Part 2: 5-thia and 9beta-haloPG derivatives with improved stability.
Further chemical modification to identify more chemically stabilized EP4-receptor selective agonists was continued. As a result, a further two EP4-receptor selective agonists 5-thiaPGE(1) 2a, 10 and 9beta-chloroPGF(2) analogue 11 were discovered.
Animals↗
A functional magnetic resonance imaging study during sentence reading in Japanese dyslexic children.
A functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study during Japanese 'kana' readings was performed on Japanese dyslexic children. Five dyslexic children (aged 9-12 years) and five healthy children (aged 9-11 years) were investigated. The fMRI examination was performed by getting these children to read sentences constructed from Japanese phonograms, 'kana', compared with staring at meaningless figures as a control task. All control subjects showed activation of the left middle temporal gyrus. In the dyslexic children, the activation of the middle temporal gyrus was rather vague. However, other distinctively activated regions were detected as follows: the bilateral occipital cortex in two dyslexics, the inferior part of the frontal regions in two other dyslexics, and both the bilateral occipital cortex and the inferior part of precentral gyrus in the remaining one. These results indicate compensatory management processes for the unskilled reading ability of dyslexic children. The present results were similar to previous ones for adult dyslexia with the Roman alphabet, and suggest that brain malfunction in dyslexia during the task of reading must be common despite differences in languages.
Cerebral Cortex↗
[The role of cardiac catheterization for diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension].
The role of the cardiac catheterization for diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension (PH) is very important. When mean pulmonary artery pressure increased more than 25 mmHg, then PH is defined. But this is measured accurately only by the catheterization. And we can discriminate the etiology of PH clearly by pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (Ppcw) or intra-cardiac shunt (L to R) by blood oxygen saturation step-up, and both parameters are obtained by this method. The etiology of PH is diagnosed as left sided heart failure, if Ppcw is increased more than 13 mmHg. PH is produced by congenital heart disease (ASD, VSD, PDA etc.), when the oxygen saturation step-up is recognized. And PH is induced by any pulmonary disease or pulmonary thrombo-embolism or collagen disease or liver cirrhosis or PPH, if Ppcw is normal and no oxygen step-up is recognized.
Blood Pressure↗
Physiological role of endothelin-1 in nonworking muscles during exercise in healthy subjects.
Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide produced by vascular endothelial cells. However, the role of ET-1 in exercise-induced physiological responses is still to be investigated. The purpose of the present study was to investigate in healthy volunteers whether the ET-1 plasma concentration in nonworking muscles is changed by exercise and to investigate the physiological role of ET-1 during exercise. Bicycle ergometer cardiopulmonary exercise tests were performed in 36 healthy men (mean age, 22.5 years). Blood samples for measuring ET-1 were drawn from the cubital vein during rest and immediately after the exercise test. The ET-1 change ratio was calculated as ET-1 immediately following exercise/ET-1 during the resting state. Cardiac output (CO) was measured during the exercise test by the impedance method. Arterial venous oxygen difference (AVO2D) when CO reached 10L/min or 15L/min was calculated as AVO2D = VO2/CO. Results were as follows: (1) the ET-1 change ratio correlated inversely with exercise time at the anaerobic threshold (r = -0.37, p = 0.03) and peak exercise time (r = -0.35, p = 0.04); (2) the ET-1 change ratio tended toward an inverse correlation with deltaVO2/deltawork rate (r = -0.29, p = 0.09); (3) the ET-1 change ratio correlated positively with AVO2D when CO reached 10L/min (r = 0.42, p = 0.02) and tended toward a positive correlation with AVO2D when CO reached 15 L/min (r = 0.32, p = 0.08). These results indicate that an increase in ET-1 in nonworking muscles may participate in the exercise-induced redistribution of blood flow and in increasing the blood flow to working muscles.
Adult↗
Detection of c-erbB-2 and FGF-3 (INT-2) gene amplification in epithelial ovarian cancer.
We examined gene amplifications of the c-erbB-2 and FGF-3 gene in 48 epithelial ovarian cancers by differential PCR and addressed their association with clinico-pathological features including clinical outcome. Overall, 25.0 and 20.8% of ovarian cancers displayed amplified c-erbB-2 or FGF-3 gene, respectively. Amplification of the c-erbB-2 gene was significantly associated with particular histological cell types, higher histological grade, and low levels of serous CA125. However, there was no correlation between c-erbB-2 gene amplification and patient outcome. No correlation was observed between FGF-3 gene amplification and any clinico-pathological features including overall survival. These findings suggested that c-erbB-2 or FGF-3 gene amplification might be one of the oncogenic events implicated in the development of ovarian cancers, yet is not a useful prognostic marker.
Adult↗
PF1163A and B, new antifungal antibiotics produced by Penicillium sp. I. Taxonomy of producing strain, fermentation, isolation and biological activities.
Two novel antifungal antibiotics, PF1163A and B, were isolated from the fermentation broth of Penicillium sp. They were purified from the solid cultures of rice media using ethyl acetate extraction, silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies. PF1163A and B showed potent growth inhibitory activity against pathogenic fungal strain Candida albicans but did not show cytotoxic activity against mammalian cells. These compounds inhibited the ergosterol biosynthesis in Candida albicans.
Antifungal Agents↗
[Effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor lisinopril on sympathetic heart rate response during exercise in the early phase of acute myocardial infarction].
OBJECTIVES: Sympathetic heart rate response decreases in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors effectively prevent heart failure after myocardial infarction. However, the effect of ACE inhibitors on heart rate response is not well known. The present study investigated the effect of ACE inhibitors on sympathetic heart rate response in the early phase of acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: Sixty-five patients with acute myocardial infarction receiving no beta-blocking agents participated in the study. The subjects consisted of 25 patients (mean age 60.2 +/- 10.7 years) treated with ACE inhibitor lisinopril from the initial stage and 40 control subjects (mean age 57.7 +/- 7.6 years). Cardiopulmonary exercise testing with a treadmill was performed using the ramp protocol in the first month and the third month after the onset of the disease. Heart rate (HR) was measured in the resting state (rest) and immediately after peak exercise (peak). At the same time, blood samples were obtained to investigate the changes in the plasma level of norepinephrine (NE). The degree of sympathetic heart rate response was evaluated as follows: (peak HR - rest HR)/¿(peak NE - rest NE)/rest NE¿ x 100. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in the first month in anaerobic threshold, peak oxygen uptake and plasma brain natriuretic peptide concentration. Though the change of heart rate was not significant, the change in the plasma level of norepinephrine was significantly lower in the lisinopril group (9.3 +/- 4.4 vs 5.7 +/- 2.8, p < 0.01). In the first month, the heart rate response in the control group was markedly lower than that in the lisinopril group (8.7 +/- 3.5 vs 15.2 +/- 8.5 beats/min/%, p < 0.01). In the third month, the significant difference between the 2 groups disappeared (10.7 +/- 7.9 vs 14.0 +/- 9.7 beats/min/%, NS) due to the increase of the value in the control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: From these results, we conclude that ACE inhibitors are effective to improve sympathetic heart rate response during exercise in the early phase of myocardial infarction.
Anaerobic Threshold↗
Novel mechanism associated with an inherited cardiac arrhythmia: defective protein trafficking by the mutant HERG (G601S) potassium channel.
BACKGROUND: The congenital long-QT syndrome (LQTS) is an inherited disorder characterized by a prolonged cardiac action potential and a QT interval that leads to arrhythmia. Mutations in the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG), which encodes the rapidly activating component of the delayed rectifier current (IKr), cause chromosome 7-linked LQTS (LQT2). Studies of mutant HERG channels in heterologous systems indicate that the mechanisms mediating LQT2 are varied and include mutant subunits that form channels with altered kinetic properties or nonfunctional mutant subunits. We recently reported a novel missense mutation of HERG (G601S) in an LQTS family that we have characterized in the present work. METHODS AND RESULTS: To elucidate the electrophysiological properties of the G601S mutant channels, we expressed these channels in mammalian cells and Xenopus oocytes. The G601S mutant produced less current than wild-type channels but exhibited no change in kinetic properties or dominant-negative suppression when coexpressed with wild-type subunits. To examine the cellular trafficking of mutant HERG channel subunits, enhanced green fluorescent protein tagging and Western blot analyses were performed. These showed deficient protein trafficking of the G601S mutant to the plasma membrane. CONCLUSIONS: Our results from both the Xenopus oocyte and HEK293 cell expression systems and green fluorescent protein tagging and Western blot analyses support the conclusion that the G601S mutant is a hypomorphic mutation, resulting in a reduced current amplitude. Thus, it represents a novel mechanism underlying LQT2.
Animals↗
Screening of urine by one-dimensional and pulsed-field gradient two-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopy: intoxication by propylene glycol in an infant patient.
1H NMR spectroscopy is a promising method for the analysis of physiological fluids in clinical medicine. In the course of screening the urine of patients by 1D- and pulsed-field gradient 2D 1H NMR spectroscopy at 500 MHz, we encountered a case with a very high excretion of propylene glycol compared to others who received similar doses of the medication. In this case, the propylene glycol was scarcely metabolized by the patient. Propylene glycol is widely used as a safety material which is transformed into pyruvate and lactate in the healthy body. In this paper, we discuss how NMR spectroscopy can be a useful method for screening a patient intoxicated with propylene glycol.
Female↗
Effects of propafenone on K currents in human atrial myocytes.
1. The class Ic anti-arrhythmic agent, flecainide is known to inhibit the transient outward K current (Ito) selectively in human atrium. We studied the effects of propafenone, another class Ic antiarrhythmic agent, on K currents in human atrial myocytes using a whole-cell voltage-clamp method. 2. Propafenone inhibited both Ito and the sustained or ultra-rapid delayed rectifier K current (Isus or Ikur) evoked by depolarization pulses. The concentration for half-maximal inhibition (IC50) was 4.9 microM for Ito and 8.6 microM for Isus. Propafenone blocked Ito and Isus in a voltage- and use-independent fashion and accelerated the inactivation time constant of Ito [from 28.3 to 6.7 ms at 10 microM propafenone]. 3. The steady-state inactivation curve for Ito was unaffected by propafenone. Propafenone did not affect the initial current at depolarizing potentials, but it did produce a block that increased as a function of time after depolarization (time constant of 3.4 ms). This suggests that propafenone preferentially blocked Ito in the open state. 4. Propafenone had no significant effect on the rate at which Ito recovered from inactivation at -80 mV suggesting that propafenone dissociates rapidly from the channel. 5. The steady-state activation curve for Isus was not affected by propafenone. Propafenone slowed the time course of the onset of the Isus tail current. This suggests that propafenone blocked Isus in the open state. 6. The present results suggest that, unlike flecainide, propafenone blocks both Ito and Isus in human atrial myocytes in the open state at clinically relevant concentrations.
Anti-Arrhythmia Agents↗
A case of interleukin-6-producing malignant fibrous histiocytoma originating in the heart.
Primary cardiac malignant fibrous histiocytoma is extremely rare and its pathophysiological characteristics remain largely unknown. We treated a female patient with persistent fever and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Since ultrasonic echocardiography revealed the presence of a cardiac tumor and her serum interleukin-6 level was elevated, we speculated she had a cardiac myxoma. Histological examination of the surgically resected specimen, however, revealed that the tumor was malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Although her disseminated intravascular coagulation and heart failure were transiently improved after operation, local recurrence and systemic metastasis occurred and she died 7 weeks after operation. Using the autopsied specimen, we examined whether the malignant fibrous histiocytoma constitutively synthesized interleukin-6. The interleukin-6 content in the tumor was high, consistent with interleukin-6 production by the tumor. This was confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating interleukin-6 production by a cardiac malignant fibrous histiocytoma.
Aged↗
Transcatheter embolization of arteriovenous malformations in Cowden disease.
A patient with Cowden disease and multiple arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) that resulted in high output heart failure is described. Cowden disease is a familial syndrome characterized by endodermal, mesodermal and ectodermal dysplasia causing benign and malignant tumors of the skin, breast, gastrointestinal tract, and thyroid gland. Our patient had gastrointestinal polyposis, a right renal tumor, a left lung tumor, an adenomatous goiter, and typical dermatologic findings such as facial papules, acral keratosis, gingival papillomatosis and hemangiomas. AVMs were observed in the pelvis, cervical vertebra, liver, and right supraclavicular area. Transcatheter embolization was performed 7 times for the pelvic AVMs, but the effect decreased with repetition and the patient died of heart failure 2 years after the first embolization. The serum levels of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and transforming growth factor beta1 were high, suggesting that these angiogenic molecules may play a role in the pathogenesis of AVMs in Cowden disease.
Adult↗
Exercise-induced changes in plasma atrial natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic peptide concentrations in healthy subjects with chronic sleep deprivation.
Recent observations have shown that plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) correlate with cardiac function or prognosis in heart failure patients. However, relatively little is known about changes in their plasma concentration during commonly occurring physiological states such as fatigue. Therefore, this study was designed to examine the physiological changes of plasma ANP and BNP concentrations using a chronic sleep-deprivation model. Bicycle ergometer cardiopulmonary exercise tests were performed in 10 healthy volunteers (mean age: 22.7 years). Blood samples for measuring ANP and BNP were drawn during the resting state and immediately after each exercise test. Cardiac output (CO) was measured during the exercise test by the impedance method. The study conditions were designed as follows: (A) a day following a period of normal sleep (control state) and (B) a day preceded by 1 month during which sleep lasted <60% of normal (chronic sleep-deprived state). Results were as follows. (1) Peak oxygen uptake and peak CO decreased during the sleep-deprived state compared with the control state. (2) There was no difference between peak heart rates measured during exercise under the 2 conditions. (3) Plasma ANP concentration during exercise increased significantly during the control state, whereas only a tendency toward increase was observed during the sleep-deprived state. (4) Plasma BNP concentration during exercise tended to increase in the control state compared with the resting state, whereas there was no difference in plasma BNP between after exercise and resting state in the sleep-deprived state. These results indicate that changes of ANP or BNP induced by exercise tended to be decreased by chronic sleep deprivation.
Adult↗