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Biomedical subjects

H Irie

Publications and source records attributed to H Irie.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Role of virus-induced apoptosis in a host defense mechanism against virus infection.

Many animal viruses are known to induce apoptosis in infected cells. This virus-induced apoptosis has been often described as a mechanism of host defense against virus infection, based on the finding that mutants of an insect virus with the ability to induce extensive apoptosis in some cells cannot grow in the same cells. In animal virus infection, we have shown that (1) viruses can somehow overcome this defense mechanism and that (2) virus multiplication in the apoptotic cells is not as completely suppressed as in the insect virus infection. These results suggest that, in the case of animal viruses, the virus-induced apoptosis does not play the same role in the host defense system as in insect cells. However, by examining the virus infection under the conditions comparable to the infection in vivo, we demonstrated the defensive role of apoptosis in animal virus infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Indications and problems of coronary artery bypass grafting without cardiopulmonary bypass.

As an alternative method of myocardial protection and to obviate the inherent risks of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), we have been performing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) without CPB in carefully selected patients. Since the first such operation was successfully performed in January 1995 on a patient with angina pectoris and lung cancer, four other patients have subsequently undergone this technique. This series of 5 patients, being 1 man and 4 women ranging in age from 68 to 80 years, is presented in this report. The reasons for the selection of this procedure were concomitant diseases including lung cancer, a calcified aorta, and myocardial infarction. The mean time of ischemia for each anastomosis was 15.3 +/- 5.3 min, and the maximum cardiac muscle creatine phosphokinase (CPK-MB) was less than 14 unit/l postoperatively. None of the patients required ventilatory support for longer than 24 h postoperatively, and oral intake was started within 24 h after extubation in all patients. Postoperative angiography confirmed graft patency and none of the patients developed any ischemic symptoms. All the patients were discharged between 1 and 2 months postoperatively. Thus, the off-pump technique is useful when concomitant diseases are present and will become an alternative method of treatment for coronary artery disease in selected patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Factors affecting hypertrophic scar development in median sternotomy incisions for congenital cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Even after successful operations on children, unattractive postoperative scars are often distressing to patients and their parents. There are no reports about the factors affecting keloid or hypertrophic scar (HS) development after congenital cardiac surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Postoperative scars were studied in 75 patients 3 months after congenital cardiac surgery by median skin incision. The mean age of the 51 males and 24 females was 2.7 +/- 2.3 years (range, 2 days-12 years). The scars were evaluated according to degree of redness, expressed as redness score, and skin blood flow, as measured by laser Doppler imaging. Skin blood flow ratio was calculated as blood flow at the scar divided by blood flow below the navel. After surgery, 40 patients received 5 mg/kg/day of tranilast, which inhibits the collagen synthesis of keloid fibroblasts. RESULTS: None of the 75 patients had keloid formation and 21 (28%) developed HS after operation. Mean age of patients with HS (HS (+) group) was 4.4 +/- 3.3 years and that of patients with no HS development (HS (-) group) was 1.5 +/- 1.9 years (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences between these two groups in gender or in pre- or postoperative cyanosis. Hypertrophic scar (+) patients exhibited significantly higher skin blood flow ratios than HS (-) patients (2.7 +/- 1.3 versus 1.4 +/- 0.6; p < 0.001). Hypertrophic scar was seen in 11 of 40 tranilast administered patients (28%) and in 10 of 34 patients not receiving tranilast (29%) (NS). Hypertrophic scar was less apparent in the patients who received tranilast versus those who did not; redness scores were 29.5 +/- 16.5 and 51.6 +/- 14.9, respectively (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that age and skin blood flow ratio were the factors affecting HS development. Postoperative use of tranilast did not affect the frequency of HS development but did reduce its redness.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1997

Small hepatocellular carcinoma on magnetic resonance imaging. Relation of signal intensity to angiographic and clinicopathologic findings.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors discuss the clinicopathologic features and angiographic vascularity of various signal intensity patterns on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of small hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). METHODS: Magnetic resonance images of 88 resected HCCs (< or = 3 cm) were obtained using T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo images and T1-weighted images after gadolinium (Gd)-DTPA administration. Images were compared with angiographic and histopathologic findings. RESULTS: Forty HCCs (45%) were depicted on T1-weighted images, 51 (58%) on T2-weighted images, and 41 (49%) on T1-weighted images after Gd-DTPA administration. Overall, 64 (76%) were found on at least one image. On T1-weighted images, hyperintense HCCs histologically showed fatty metamorphosis and portal tracts within the tumor. On T2-weighted images, HCC hyperintensity correlated with expansive growth, peliotic change, and hypervascularity. By contrast, HCCs that were undetected or hypointense on T2-weighted images were well differentiated with replacing growth and portal tracts. On T1-weighted images after Gd-DTPA, hyperintense HCCs had peliotic change; undetected HCCs were well differentiated and hypovascular. CONCLUSIONS: Histologic grade, vascularity, portal tracts and peliotic change correlate with MR signal intensity. For hyperintense HCCs on T1-weighted images and hypo- or isointense HCCs on T2-weighted images, treatment methods must be assigned with the consideration that HCCs may be receiving transsinusoidal and portal blood supplies.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

New evaluation method for postoperative scar redness.

Even after successful operations, ugly postoperative skin scars are often distressing to patients and their parents. To judge the success of surgical methods and postoperative treatment, postoperative scars should be evaluated using a quantitative system. Height and width are easily measured, but scar redness is not. We have developed a simple and effective method for evaluating scar redness. According to the color definitions employed in computer graphics, each color can be expressed as RGB (red, green or blue) coordinates (r, g, b): 0 < or = r, g, b < or = 10. The degree of scar redness is defined by the following formula: redness score (RS) = (r1 - r0)2 + (g1 - g0)2 + (b1 - b0)2. Here, (r1, g1, b1) = coordinates of the scar color and (r0, g0, b0) = coordinates of the surrounding skin color. RS was evaluated in 59 children (35 males, 24 females; ages 1 month to 12 years old) who had scar redness after congenital cardiac surgery. For each patient, scar color and surrounding skin color was identified on the color sample table. Scar redness was also evaluated by the conventional grading method: 1 = mild, 2 = moderate and 3 = severe. The RS of the colored scars ranged from 4 to 100 (38 +/- 27). By the conventional grading method, 44 scars were grade 1, 15 grade 2 and none grade 3. RS was significantly higher among grade 2 than grade 1 patients, 52 +/- 25 and 33 +/- 27, respectively (P < 0.05). Given its subjectivity, the conventional grading method yields variable data surrounding skin color, moreover, is not considered. Our new evaluation method using RS effectively and accurately defines scar and skin colors, and allows quantitative studies of these factors.

Child↗
PubMed1997

Anatomy and clinical importance of cholecystic venous drainage: helical CT observations during injection of contrast medium into the cholecystic artery.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to use helical CT to elucidate the anatomy and clinical importance of cholecystic venous drainage. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We performed helical CT of the upper abdomen during injection of contrast medium through a superselectively catheterized cholecystic artery (cholecystic artery CT) in 28 patients, all of whom were surgical candidates for suspected hepatobiliary abnormality. In nine of these patients, CT during arterial portography (CTAP) was also performed. RESULTS: Cholecystic venous blood most frequently entered peripheral portal branches of hepatic segment V (27 of 28 patients, 96%) and segment IV (26 of 28, 93%). In order of decreasing frequency, cholecystic venous blood also drained to segments I, VI, VIII, III, and VII. Cholecystic venous blood subsequently drained into the middle hepatic vein (21 of 28, 75%) or right hepatic vein (20 of 28, 71%). In two patients with adenocarcinoma involving the gallbladder associated with multiple liver metastases, cholecystic venous drainage was seen around each metastatic focus. In the nine patients in whom both cholecystic artery CT and CTAP were performed, nontumorous portal perfusion defects were attributable to cholecystic venous drainage. CONCLUSION: Recognition of cholecystic venous drainage as a possible pathway for spread of disease from the gallbladder to the liver and also as one of the causes of non-tumorous portal perfusion defects seen on CTAP is important.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Transverse submammary skin incision for congenital cardiac surgery].

Submammary skin incision has been accepted as cosmetic approach for open heart surgery. During November 1990 to February 1995, 39 ASD patients under 15 years old were operated with either median or submammary skin incision in Okayama University Medical School. For these patients, retrospective study was carried out to determine whether submammary skin incision made surgical procedure complex and whether patients were satisfied with the scar by submammary skin incision. There were 14 submammary skin incision (Group S) and 25 median skin incision (Group M). There was no significant difference in patients profile between the two groups except for sex. Operative time, cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross clamp time had no significant difference between the two groups. Postoperative ICU stay and hospital stay also did not differed between the two groups. Questionnaires for evaluation of the subjective operation scar was sent with 32 answers (82%). There was no significant difference on questionnaire findings. However for the patients without hypertrophic scar, more patients in Group S were significantly satisfied with their scars. Submammary skin incision was safe and easy. It could be alternative of median skin incision. If hypertrophic scar formation could be prevented, more patients would be satisfied with submammary skin incision than median skin incision.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗
PubMed1997

[A case report of emergency mitral valve replacement for infective endocarditis in pregnancy].

Infective endocarditis is extremely rare in early pregnancy. We report an emergency mitral valve replacement performed successfully on a 16 week pregnant woman for infective endocarditis without preexisting heart disease. On admission, the patient was in acute heart failure, and the fetus had been already dead. Induced abortion was performed uneventfully 6 days after the cardiac operation.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Early HCC and adenomatous hyperplasia: evaluation of arterial and portal blood flow with CTA, CTAP, and pathologic correlation].

In order to analyze the hemodynamic properties of early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and adenomatous hyperplasia (AH), three lesions (two HCCs, one AH) depicted as hypoattenuating at CTA and iso attenuating at CTAP were correlated with the histopathological findings. The number of normal hepatic arteries in the tumor was lower than in the liver. Degeneration and narrowing of the lumens were also seen microscopically. All tumors showed the replacing growth pattern and had similar numbers of the portal tracts in the tumor to the liver. The decreased number of intratumoral normal arteries is suspected to be a characteristic finding of the early stage of HCC.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1997

[A case report of coronary artery bypass grafting in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis].

We reported a case of ankylosing spondylitis who successfully underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for unstable angina pectoris. A 67-year-old man was admitted with symptom of anginal pain. Selective coronary angiography revealed coronary artery stenoses; 90% in seg 6, 90% in seg 11, proximal 75%, distal 90% in seg 3, 99% in 4 PD and 99% with delay in 4 AV. The left internal thoracic artery was anastomosed to seg 7 and saphenous vein (SVG) to PL-2, PL-1 sequentially, and another SVG to 4 PD. His postoperative course was uneventful. Cardiac lesions accompanied by ankylosing spondylitis are rare in Japan. Perioperative problems of these lesions therefore, are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Epidemiological and genetic studies of Huntington's disease in the San-in area of Japan.

After the DNA diagnosis, we evaluated the prevalence of Huntington's disease (HD) in the San-in area of Japan, and confirmed the founder effect. There were 10 patients with HD in the San-in area, who were diagnosed clinically. The expansion of the CAG repeat was observed in 9 patients with HD members in their families, although those family members of the patients had already died. In the patient who had no positive family history, expansion of the CAG repeat was not seen. The prevalence of HD was 065/100,000 in this area. The common haplotype studied by the polymorphism marker of D4S136 was shown in all 9 HD patients, although they were observed in only 2.7% of the normal population. These results suggested a common ancestor of these HD patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Surgical treatment of active infective endocarditis].

Between August 1980 and December 1995, 29 patients have undergone valve replacement for active infective endocarditis (IE) at our institute. Twenty five patients had native valve endocarditis (NVE) and 4 had prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE). The indication for surgery in 29 patients was congestive heart failure, septicemia or systemic embolization. Twenty six patients had vegetation. Eleven patients had AVRs, including one modified Bentall operation, 10 had MVRs and four had DVRs with mechanical prosthetic valve. There were eleven early death (38%) and one late death. Operative mortality rate has reduced to 24% after 1991. We conclude that early surgical intervention should be taken according to the hemodynamic state of the patients irrespective of the presence of septicemia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Pit fall of aprotinin administration during open heart surgery].

Aprotinin administration during open heart surgery has been attempted at various institutions to reduce hemorrhage and improve the rate of no-transfusion operations, and has been reported to be effective. The treatment has been effective also in the 45 patients operated on at our institution. However, we experienced LOS at weaning from extracorporeal circulation (8 cases) considered to be due to aprotinin administration, suggesting unexpected risk of the treatment. Evaluation was made by classifying the patients according to the aprotinin dose; A high-dose group administered aprotinin at 300 x 10(4) units (20 patients), a low-dose group administered aprotinin at 100 x 10(4) units (8 patients), and a control group not administered aprotinin (15 patients). The volume of postoperative hemorrhage increased with the dose of aprotinin, and was significantly lower in the high dose and medium-dose groups than in the control group, but was not significantly different in the low-dose group. The postoperative peak CPK and CPK-MB were not significantly differ but increased slightly with the aprotinin dose. Probably for this reason, IABP was needed in 8 (17.8%) of the 45 patients because of LOS at weaning from extracorporeal circuration. A diagnosis of perioperative myocardial infarction (PMI) was made in 7 of these patients. Factors other than aprotinin are unlikely to be the cause of LOS, and the condition is considered to have been induced by micro-embolism during extracorporeal circulation with aprotinin administration. We propose two points as basis for this speculation. The first is that the body temperature during extracorporeal circuration, which was 30-35 degrees C in the bladder, promoted antifibrinolytic activity of aprotinin. The second is poor control of ACT during extra corporeal circulation. Thus, we suggest the risk of the use of aprotinin without further reduction in the body temperature during extracorporeal circuration. At present avoidance of high body temperatures and strict control of ACT during extracorporeal circulation are important preventive measures against micro-embolism possibly caused by aprotinin.

Aprotinin↗
PubMed1995

Programmed cell death in the interdigital tissue of the fetal mouse limb is apoptosis with DNA fragmentation.

BACKGROUND: Programmed cell death is an essential event during mammalian morphogenesis which eliminates unnecessary cells to accomplish histogenesis and organogenesis. Cell death in interdigital spaces of the developing limb is a classical example of morphogenetic cell death. We investigated whether classical programmed cell death in the interdigital tissue of the developing limb in mice is apoptosis with fragmentation of nuclear DNA and also examined sequentially the occurrence of programmed cell death and cell proliferation in the developing limb of mouse fetuses to analyze their interrelation. METHODS: We examined the occurrence of apoptotic cell death in the developing limbs of mouse fetuses by using Nile blue sulphate staining, agarose gel electrophoresis for detecting DNA laddering, and a cytochemical labeling of DNA fragmentation. We also labeled proliferating cells using BrdU/anti-BrdU immunohistochemistry and examined the interrelation between apoptotic programmed cell death and cell proliferation. RESULTS: DNA ladders, a biochemical evidence of apoptosis, were detected in DNA extracts from the interdigital tissue of day 13 mouse fetuses by agarose gel electrophoresis. Programmed cell death and DNA fragmentation were detected by Nile blue staining and cytochemical labeling of DNA fragmentation, respectively, in the interdigital mesoderm and in the regions of presumptive joints of the digit. BrdU/anti-BrdU immunohistochemistry for identifying proliferating S-phase cells revealed that interdigital mesenchymal cells cease DNA synthesis before programmed cell death and DNA fragmentation begin. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed that both cytological apoptotic alterations and fragmentation of nuclear DNA occur in the interdigital tissue and presumptive joint areas of fetal mouse limbs, and they appear to play a significant role in the separation of digits as well as the formation of joint cavities.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Small hepatocellular carcinomas undetected on two-phased incremental computed tomography. Angiographic and clinicopathologic findings.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To elucidate the characteristic clinicopathologic features of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) undetected on two-phased incremental computed tomography (CT). METHODS: Computed tomographic scans of 115 surgically resected small (< or = 3 cm) HCCs from 83 patients were performed 45 seconds and 6 minutes after the administration of contrast material. These scans were compared with corresponding angiographic and histopathologic findings. RESULTS: Eighty HCCs (70%) were depicted on the early images; 73 (63%) on the delayed images; and 89 (77%) using two-phased incremental CT. The small HCCs undetected on the early images but seen histologically had the following characteristics: (1) absence of a fibrous capsule, (2) well-differentiated tumor, (3) replacing growth patterns of the tumors, (4) lack of fatty metamorphosis and/or clear cell changes, (5) hypovascular on angiography. Those not seen on delayed images had the following characteristics: (1) absence of a fibrous capsule, (2) replacing growth patterns, and (3) presence of portal tracts in the tumors. CONCLUSIONS: The replacing growth pattern and the presence of portal tracts correlate with the undetectability on CT. For HCCs undetected on CT, treatment methods must be considered carefully, because the HCCs may be receiving transsinusoidal and portal blood supplies.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Mechanical left ventricular support in patients with Marfan's syndrome: a report of two cases.

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) was utilized for the treatment of postcardiotomy heart failure in two patients with Marfan's syndrome. Patient 1 (a 22-year-old) with annuloaortic ectasia (AAE) and DeBakey type II dissection had been supported by LVAD for 87h after composite graft replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic valve. Patient 2 (a 52-year-old) with AAE and DeBakey type I dissection had been supported by LVAD for 91 h after aortic valve replacement. During the assist, both patients complicated bleeding from the fragile left atria near the sites of cannulation. Patient 1 died of multiple organ failure on the 62nd postoperative day, but patient 2 returned to work after surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Re-replacement of Starr-Edwards mitral valve (model 6320) for prosthetic valve endocarditis 22 years after replacement].

The patient was a 43-year-old woman who had undergone mitral valve replacement with Starr-Edwards ball valve (model 6320) 22 years ago. Perivalvular mitral leakage due to prosthetic valve endocarditis and tricuspid regurgitation were found. She underwent re-replacement of the mitral valve. The operative findings revealed almost intact valvular function of the ball valve. As far as we know, 22 years is the longest follow-up for the Starr-Edwards ball valve which has maintained normal function.

Adult↗