Biomedical subjects

G Murakami

Publications and source records attributed to G Murakami.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMed1992

[Efficacy of early use of continuous isoproterenol inhalation therapy for severe asthma attacks in children].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of continuous isoproterenol inhalation therapy for asthma attacks in children. We used l-body isoproterenol (Proternol L) in 22 children with 32 episodes of severe attacks. One of them did not respond to this therapy, and two had complications (atelectasis and pneumothorax). Twenty-nine cases were divided into three subgroups according to their clinical scores; A) scores less than or equal to 4, which meant that they were in the early stage of severe attack (n = 9), B) scores 5-6, which meant impending respiratory failure (n = 17), C) scores greater than or equal to 7, which meant respiratory failure (n = 3). The values of SpO2 at the start of this therapy were 94.8, 91.5, 82.0%, respectively. The more severe their attacks were, the lower their SpO2 levels were. The periods until their scores became zero were 0.78, 6.3, 17.2 hours, respectively. There were significant differences between each period respectively (p less than 0.001, p less than 0.01). Heart rates decreased when their symptoms improved, and other adverse effects were not detected. These results suggest that this therapy is effective and safe for children with severe asthma attacks, especially in the early stage.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed1992

[Efficacy of continuous isoproterenol inhalation therapy for severe asthma attacks in younger children].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of continuous isoproterenol inhalation therapy for severe asthma attacks in younger children, compared with its efficacy in older children. We used l-body isoproterenol (Proternol L) in 31 children with 42 episodes of severe attacks. They were divided into two group according to age: 20 cases under 6 years old (Group A), and 22 cases over 7 years old (Group B). All of the patients except for one in Group B, eventually improved with this therapy. Wood's clinical scores for Group A were significantly higher than those for group B (p < 0.01). In 22 cases whose scores were 5-6, their SpO2 values at the onset of this therapy were 90.8 +/- 3.17 in group A and 92.4 +/- 3.82% in group B. The improvement time of group A (13.6 +/- 16.2 hours) was significantly longer than that of group B (2.5 +/- 5.66, p < 0.01). The nebulized isoproternol doses for group A were 0.47 +/- 0.168 and for group B 0.26 +/- 0.096 mg/kg/saline 500 ml. The dose for group A was significantly higher than that for group B (p < 0.01). We concluded that continuous isoproterenol inhalation therapy was effective even in younger children. But the degree of efficacy was slightly lower in younger children, although they inhaled higher doses of isoproterenal than older children.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed1992

Longitudinal study of bronchial hyperreactivity in preschool children with bronchial asthma.

Forty asthmatic children aged 4 to 6 years performed histamine inhalation tests over 2 to 3 years. We used a previously reported method for examining bronchial hyperreactivity; measuring the transcutaneous oxygen pressure to evaluate whether bronchial hyperreactivity in younger children with bronchial asthma changed, and which potential factors affected changes in bronchial hyperreactivity. Although there was no significant relationship between the severity of asthma and respiratory threshold to histamine (RT-Hist) at the initial test, RT-Hist results in the severely asthmatic group were significantly lower than those of the remission and mild groups at the final test (P less than .01), respectively. RT-Hist significantly decreased in only the group whose asthma worsened (P less than .05). In the remission and improvement groups, RT-Hist did not improve despite their favorable clinical courses. When divided into two subgroups according to the extent of their RT-Hist, a high responder group had significantly more subjects who family histories of asthma than the low-responder group (P less than .05). There was no difference, however, in family history of allergic diseases between the two groups. We conclude that bronchial hyperreactivity in younger asthmatic children is influenced by multiple factors that may be congenital or acquired.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed1991

Arrangement and innervation of the iliocostalis and longissimus muscles of the brown caiman (Caiman crocodilus fuscus: Alligatoridae, Crocodilia).

The axial musculature of the brown caiman was investigated in detail with particular attention to the nerve supply, using a binocular stereomicroscope. Due to the prominent development of the longissimus (Lo) and the iliocostalis (IC) muscles of the caiman, the pattern of distribution of the spinal nerves in the body wall was unique; there also was less differentiation of the external intercostalis. There were four primary divisions of the spinal nerves in the thoracic region of the caiman, from ventral to dorsal: the intercostal nerve, the IC nerve, the Lo nerve, and the dorsal main trunk. Thus, the classic concept of the organization of the spinal nerves may not be suitable for the caiman. These findings suggest that evolutionary changes in the dorsolateral axial musculature have brought about the rearrangement of the organization of the spinal nerves. In addition, each clearly segmented myotome of the Lo and IC was innervated by more than two segments of the spinal nerves (plurisegmental innervation). The manner of formation of the myotome and its innervation is discussed from the viewpoint of comparative and developmental anatomy.

Alligators and Crocodiles↗

PubMed1991

Somites and the pattern formation of trunk muscles: a study in quail-chick chimera.

The somites are metameric structures. Although these structures appear uniform, other types of muscles differentiate from them along the rostro-caudal body axis. This study investigated whether the somites are committed to producing level specific muscles by heterotopic transplantations between quail and chick embryos. Our results were as follows: 1) Cervical somites, when transplanted into the thoracic or lumbar region, produced the ectopic ventral muscle mass characteristic of the cervical region. Cervical somites did not develop ribs or body wall muscles associated with the rib in the thoracic region. 2) Thoracic somites did not produce the ventral muscle mass at the cervical region, but produced ectopic ribs and muscles associated with them. These muscles were invested by graft-derived fasciae, but did not show the lamination of body wall muscles. Thoracic somites produced ectopic ribs in the lumbar region, but muscles associated with ectopic ribs showed normal lumbar lamination. These muscles were invested by host derived fasciae. From these results, we propose that somites are committed to producing the level specific trunk muscles, but that the arrangement of the muscles is determined by the fasciae.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

[Immunochemical quantification of the airborne chironomid allergens].

We collected airborne particles in the air using a high-volume air sampler, and measured chironomid allergen in the air-filter extract by use of RAST inhibition assay. The results obtained were as follows: 1) The assay revealed the presence of chironomid allergen in the air varying from 6.8 to less than 0.3 ng/m3. 2) In Toyama, seasonal fluctuations of airborne chironomid allergen demonstrated some large peaks in summer (June to August), and showed a tendency to decrease in winter. 3) There were significant correlations between airborne chironomid allergen and dry weight of chironomid midges, collected by using light traps, in all period of a week just before, 1 to 2 weeks before, 2 to 3 weeks before, or 3 to 4 weeks before air sampling. There were not significant correlations between airborne chironomid allergen and weathers (temperature, wind speed and precipitation) during or just before air sampling. 4) In Toyama, the frequency of asthma attacks in the asthmatic children with positive C.p. RAST was much increased in summer compared with that of the negative, in which the amount of airborne chironomid allergen was increased. These results show that there is large amount of chironomid allergen in the air from spring to autumn, especially large in summer, and it is related for some asthmatics to the increase of the frequency of asthma attack.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed1991

[Gross anatomical study of veins in the orbit].

The aim of this study is to clarify the major route of venous return in the orbit. Minute dissections were performed in 10 adult cadavers (5 males and 5 females) after being fixed in a 10% formalin solution. The superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) and its ascending anastomotic branch were consistently well-developed (the average maximum diameter: 6.2mm and 3.2mm, respectively) and these two veins formed the main venous channel from the orbital contents. The ascending anastomotic branch ran between the optic nerve and the medial rectus just behind the eyeball and joined the SOV. A large number of veins, including the inferior ophthalmic vein, which originated from the inferior contents of the orbit, drained into the ascending anastomotic branch. Arteries and/or nerves did not accompany their respective veins in the orbit, except for the lacrimal and ethmoidal veins. The posterior end of the SOV was severely narrowed lateral to the aponeurosis of the lateral rectus, while being conspicuously dilated just behind the eyeball. The above findings suggested that the dilated portion of SOV may act as a reservoir of the venous return of the orbit.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Topographical anatomy of the bronchomediastinal lymph vessels: their relationships and formation of the collecting trunks.

This article aims to clarify the topographical relationships of the bronchomediastinal collecting lymph vessels to other structures, in particular the great vessels, the trachea, the esophagus and the mediastinal pleura. Minute dissection was performed on eight cadavers with special reference to the converging collecting lymph vessels which form the bronchomediastinal trunks. On the right side, the trunks were consistently observed on both the right brachiocephalic vein and the subserous surface of the mediastinal pleura (anterior and posterior mediastinal trunks). The pathway from the right recurrent chain nodes ran laterally behind the carotid sheath and led either into the deep cervical nodes situated on the scalenus anterior or directly into the right venous angle. On the left side, the trunks showed varying courses. The nodes from which the trunks arose were constant, and classifiable into three groups: the uppermost paratracheal nodes near the recurrent chain nodes, the anterior mediastinal nodes (the left phrenic nodes) surrounding the phrenic nerve in front of and inferior to the aortic arch (the origin of the superior mediastinal trunk), and the left tracheobronchial nodes (the origin of the inferior mediastinal trunk). The large transverse superficial communicating vessel between the right and left sides was usually found in front of the trachea above the aortic arch; it was often connected to the nodes of the brachiocephalic angle. Deep communications were also found in front of the carina and behind the trachea. These findings allow the collecting vessels from the thoracic viscera to be divided into two pathways on each side: the anterior and posterior mediastinal trunks on the right side, and the superior and inferior mediastinal trunks on the left side. In addition to the four trunks, the superficial communicating vessel between the right and left sides is also drained from the superior mediastinum. The internal mammary lymph chain, which often emptied directly into the venous angle or into the deep cervical nodes, occasionally joined with the right anterior mediastinal trunk or the left superior mediastinal trunk.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

[Adult T-cell leukemia associated with pure red cell aplasia-like lesion].

An adult T cell leukemia associated with pure red cell aplasia-like lesion was described in this paper. A 51 year-old woman was admitted because of headache and palpitation in October 1988. On admission, physical examination showed marked pallor but no detectable superficial lymphadenopathies. Hepatosplenomegaly was not observed. The blood examination revealed normocytic anemia with Hb of 6.6 g/dl and marked leukocytosis of 18,800/microliters with 43% ATL cells. The bone marrow aspirate showed moderate infiltration of ATL cells and a few erythroblasts. The bone marrow biopsy disclosed moderate infiltration of ATL cells, only a few erythroblasts with maturation arrest and marked fibrosis. The erythropoietin in serum was elevated (686 IU/microliters). To clarify the mechanism of development of the PRCA-like lesion, the peripheral blood lymphocytes (ATL cells) or serum of the patient was added to in vitro erythroid colony formation. The patient's serum increased BFU-E but either serum or lymphocytes didn't inhibit the growth of CFU-E compared with control.

Anemia↗

PubMed1990

[Nationwide intradermal test with chironomid midge extract in asthmatic children in Japan].

Chironomidea (Insecta) is recently considered one of the most common inhalant antigen in Japan. Intradermal tests with Chironomus plumosus (CP) extract were undertaken on seven hundred and eighteen asthmatic children aged from 6 to 15 years in 10 areas (11 medical institutions) in Japan. The number of cases who showed positive intradermal tests with CP extract was 200 (27.9%) and the positive rate increased in proportion to their age (p less than 0.005). In each of the 11 medical institutions the positive rates ranged from 12.6% in Akita to 45.5% in Okinawa. There were no significant correlations between the results of the intradermal test with CP and those of RAST, prick test and intradermal test with mite, HD and silk, whereas correlation was noted in the prick test with silk (p less than 0.01). The CP positive asthmatics had significantly more attacks than the CP negative ones in the summer (p less than 0.01). The positive rate of asthmatics living near paddy or farm fields was significantly higher than that of those in urban residential areas (31.3% vs 23.8%, p less than 0.05). Chironomid midge is one of the most common and important allergen in Japan.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Measurement of bronchial hyperreactivity in infants and preschool children using a new method.

We report a new method for examination of bronchial reactivity by measuring transcutaneous oxygen pressure (tcPO2) during the inhalation of histamine in stepwise incremental concentrations. The correlation between changes in tcPO2 and those in PEFR or FEV1 was high (P less than .001). When the fall in PEFR or FEV1 was more than 20% compared with baseline, the fall in tcPO2 was more than 10%. We also measured the dose of radiolabeled aerosol (99mTc-DTPA) inhaled into the lung using a scintillation camera. When aerosol is inhaled during tidal breathing, there are adequate correlations between the dose of aerosol in the lung and both the age and height of the patients (P less than .001). When aerosol was inhaled during crying, little deposit within the lung was shown. When the inhalation challenge test was done during a sleeping period for children aged under 2 years, the loading dose of aerosol in the lung was sufficient. The geometrical means of respiratory threshold of histamine (RT-Hist) among 106 asthmatic and 11 control children, aged 2 to 6 years, were 1182 and 4414 micrograms/mL, respectively. The means of RT-Hist in 17 children with bronchial asthma, nine with atopic dermatitis, five with respiratory disease, and nine controls, aged under 2 years, were 1152, 964, 544, and 3402 micrograms/mL, respectively.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed1989

[Immunochemical quantification of the airborne mite allergens].

We collected airborne particle from indoor air by using a high-volume air sampler, and measured mite allergens in the air-filter extract by use of RAST inhibition assay. The results obtained were as follows: 1) The assay revealed the presence of house dust mite allergen in the indoor air varying from 690 to 129000 pg/m3. 2) In apartments, seasonal fluctuations of house dust mite allergen in the indoor air demonstrated a peak in autumn (September and October), and showed a tendency to increase in spring. In our outpatient clinic, the quantity of house dust mite allergen in the indoor air varied from 690 to 5670 pg/m3, while there were few mites on the floor, and showed a tendency to increase in winter. 3) There was a significant correlation between the quantity of house dust mite allergen in the indoor air and the number of mite in house dust (r = 0.535, p less than 0.01). 4) The amount of D.f. allergen in the indoor air was significantly decreased by using air cleaners (p less than 0.005). These results showed that the quantification of house dust mite allergen was useful from the clinical point of view as a parameter of mite pollution indoors, and it was important for asthmatics to live in clean environment, and to decrease the number of mites in house dust.

Allergens↗

PubMed1988