Biomedical subjects

H Kawamura

Publications and source records attributed to H Kawamura.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

PubMed1991

Cross-species transplantation of the suprachiasmatic nuclei from rats to Siberian chipmunks (Eutamias sibiricus) with suprachiasmatic lesions.

Suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) obtained from neonatal or embryonic 19 or 20 day rats, were grafted into the third ventricle of SCN-lesioned arrhythmic siberian chipmunks. Four out of 37 chipmunks showed reappearance of circadian rhythmicity in wheel running activity. In all 4 cases, at least one surviving graft was confirmed in the host brain. Also, vasopressin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-like immunoreactive substances were found in the graft, suggesting the existence of live SCN neurons. Although the number of successful cases and the intensity of the restored rhythm was limited compared to the intra-species grafting in rats, a possibility that cross-species transplantation of SCN can restore circadian rhythmicity was shown.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

An ultrasound-guided stereotactic apparatus for intracranial mass lesions.

One of disadvantages of conventional stereotactic operation for intracranial mass lesions is that it is basically a blind procedure even if the operation is performed in a gantry of a CT scan. High resolution ultrasound image gives real-time information on intracranial pathology such as bleeding, remaining cyst fluid or haematoma. The authors report an ultrasound guided stereotactic apparatus which gives real-time images of the lesion during operation.

Biopsy, Needle↗

PubMed1991

Bilateral versus unilateral percutaneous high cervical cordotomy as a surgical method of pain relief.

The present report is concerned with the results of bilateral percutaneous high cervical cordotomy (60 patients) compared with those of unilateral cordotomy (161 patients). The result of pain relief is classified into 4 grades based on Hitchcock's criteria; grade 1: complete pain relief, grade 2: almost complete pain relief with slight residual pain, grade 3: persisting pain, but tolerable, grade 4: persisting pain, untolerable. In cases of bilateral cordotomy (60 patients), 76% of the cases showed grade 1, 19% being grade 2, 3% being grade 3 and 2% being grade 4. On the contrary, the unilateral cordotomy (161 patients) showed less impressive results, particularly in grade 1, namely, grade 1 being 64%, grade 2 being 18%, grade 3 being 14% and grade 4 being 4%. Clinically acceptable results (grade 1 plus grade 2) were, therefore, obtained in bilateral cordotomy (95%) as compared with unilateral cordotomy (82%). The difference in pain relief between bilateral and unilateral procedure observed in the present investigation is contrary to that reported previously by others. The possible explanation for less impressive result in regard to grade 1 of unilateral cordotomy is that unilateral cordotomy was performed in this series to alleviate the major side of patient's pain, followed by latent pain on the other side postoperatively, which is not uncommon phenomenon in cancer pain. Whereas all of the bilateral cordotomies were done either for midline pain or bilateral pain, unilateral cordotomy gave satisfactory pain relief in some cases of midline pain. Midline pain, therefore, does not necessarily require bilateral cordotomies from a clinical point of view.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Intracranial aneurysm in a child with Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome: case report.

The authors report a case of cerebral aneurysm in an 8-year-old boy with Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome. This syndrome is a type of neurocutaneous disorder characterized by skin hemangiomas and hypertrophy of soft tissues and/or osseous structures in the involved region. Spinal hemangioma is occasionally found in this syndrome and may cause spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage. To our knowledge, however, no case of cerebral aneurysm in a child with this syndrome has been reported previously in the literature.

Child↗

PubMed1991

Changes of endogenous ganglioside composition in mouse cerebrum primary cultures following long-term exposure to phorbol ester.

Changes in endogenous gangliosides caused by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 162 nM) were examined using mouse cerebrum primary cultures. The total ganglioside content was significantly decreased by 25% and 40% in PMA-treated cultures compared to control cultures on days 1 and 8, respectively. In addition, changes in the pattern of ganglioside composition were also observed in which the percentage of GM1 and GD3 in total gangliosides was significantly increased and, in contrast, the percentage of GD1a and GT1b was reduced. Treatment of neurons with PMA induced the change of morphology. These results suggest that the decrease in the total ganglioside content and changes in ganglioside composition produced by long-term exposure to PMA are related to the appearance of neuronal cell aggregation and neurite fasciculation.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Acinic cell tumor of the hard palate.

A case of acinic cell tumor arising on the hard palate in a 46-year-old Japanese woman is reported. The clinical and histologic features are described, and treatment discussed.

Adenoma, Pleomorphic↗

PubMed1991

Characterization of mitogenic pectic polysaccharides from kampo (Japanese herbal) medicine "juzen-taiho-to".

The acidic polysaccharide fraction (F-5-2) from "Juzen-Taiho-To" (TJ-48), a Kampo (Japanese herbal) medicine prepared by decocting a prescription of 10 kinds of herbs, has potent mitogenic activity. In order to clarify the mitogenic activity, F-5-2 was fractionated by amon-exchange chromatography, and 14 acidic polysaccharide fractions were obtained. Mitogenic activities of these polysaccharides were increasing with their molecular masses and affinities to the anion-exchange column. Methylation analysis and endo-alpha-(1----4)-polygalacturonase digestion showed these polysaccharide fractions to be pectic polysaccharides, many of which consisted mainly of polygalacturonan regions in addition to small amounts of "ramified" regions. Gel filtration showed that the molecular masses of the "ramified" regions of the polysaccharides were similar. High molecular mass polygalacturonic acid showed a weak mitogenic activity. The mitogenic (M-1 and M-2) and non-mitogenic (M-3) polysaccharides from the most active polysaccharide fraction (F-5-2IIh) were further purified by gel filtration. M-2 and M-3 were also shown to be pectic polysaccharides, and the neutral glycosidic linkages in M-2 and M-3 were different from each other. Endopolygalacturonase digestion markedly decreased the mitogenic activity of M-2, however, the "ramified" region of M-2 still showed a weak activity.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Naturally occurring 226Ra concentrations in bone at various ages and alpha doses in adults.

Radium-226 concentrations of bone from the fetus and stillborn and from subjects aged 0 to 87 y, especially those older than 15 y, were determined by alpha spectrometry after an ion exchange separation. The median and mean 226Ra concentrations in bone of the adults, 20 to 69 y, were 0.35 and 0.42 Bq (kg bone ash)-1, respectively, and those for ages 15 to 87 y were 0.35 and 0.41 Bq (kg bone ash)-1, respectively. For fetal bones, mean content was 0.29 Bq (kg bone ash)-1. Annual dose equivalents in cells near bone surfaces and active red bone marrow, received from alpha radiation emitted from 226Ra and its decay products in mineral bone, were estimated using the ICRP dosimetric model for bone and assuming masses of source and target tissues for a Japanese Reference Man.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Establishment of an alpha-fetoprotein-producing gastric cancer cell line in serum-free media.

A new cell line, designated ISt-1, was established in serum-free medium from a 63-year-old gastric cancer patient with an extremely high serum level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). ISt-1 exhibited a typical morphology of epithelial cells in culture. The population doubling time was 31 hours. Production of AFP was demonstrated by immunohistochemical study and high levels of AFP were detected in the conditioned medium of ISt-1 cells. ISt-1 is considered to be an AFP-producing gastric cancer cell line and will provide a useful tool for the study of production and secretion of AFP from cells.

Culture Media↗

PubMed1991

Development of the low impedance points in the auricular skin of experimental peritonitis rats.

Electrical impedance of the auricular skin was measured in experimental peritonitis rats. Constant voltage pulses (10ms, 4V) were applied to the skin, then the impedance was estimated. Low impedance points were gradually increased after the operation for 7-14 days then they returned to the control level. The pseudo-sweating responses accompanied by the development of peritonitis were also observed. Histological study could not find any sweat glands in the auricular skin. These results suggest that the activation of the sweat glands is not the major cause of the formation of the low impedance points. Other possibilities of these phenomena were discussed.

Acupuncture Points↗

PubMed1991

Damped oscillation of the lateral hypothalamic multineuronal activity synchronized to daily feeding schedules in rats with suprachiasmatic nucleus lesions.

In male Wistar rats with chronically implanted electrodes, multiple-unit activity (MUA) was recorded from the lateral hypothalamus (LH) and ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH). Blinded rats with bilateral suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) lesions showed no circadian rhythm in MUA or motor activity when food was available ad libitum. However, under a restricted-feeding schedule (food was available from 1400 to 1600 hr; water was always available) lasting for 10 days, a gradual increase of MUA of the LH developed, starting 3-4 hr prior to the feeding time. The elevated MUA lasted up to 6-7 hr after feeding and subsequently returned to the baseline level. This circadian rhythm of MUA of the LH persisted up to 4 days under total food deprivation, with quickly decreasing amplitude after termination of the schedule. MUA rhythm in VMH was less obvious than that in LH. Also, general motor activity showed a rhythm comparable to that of MUA, but it was less prominent. The elevated MUA in the LH prior to the feeding time may have been neural substrate of anticipatory activity appearing under the restricted-feeding schedule. These findings may suggest the existence of a quickly damping oscillator mechanism in the brain, presumably in the LH, which can be induced by daily feeding cues in the absence of the SCN.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Standing radiographs cannot determine the correction in high tibial osteotomy.

The use of standing radiographs to determine correction angles for high tibial osteotomy is not appropriate because the relative angle of the articular surfaces (condylar-plateau angle) in the weight-bearing knee changes after the osteotomy. This may give unpredictable results postoperatively. We found that the condylar-plateau angle in postoperative standing films is very similar to that seen in non-weight-bearing supine views, and suggest that these latter radiographs be used for pre-operative planning. We describe our early results, using a special osteotomy jig, in 140 knees.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[Psychosomatic study of inhalation therapy in patients with bronchial asthma. I. Evaluation by questionnaire].

We investigated the use of metered-dose beta agonist inhalers (MDIs) by means of 17-item questionnaires from the standpoint of psychosomatic medicine in 56 subjects with bronchial asthma. The results can be summarized as follows: 1) Many asthmatics with neurotic characters used MDIs frequently; Thirteen percent of them suffered adverse effects. The number of times the inhalers were used increased in proportion to the severity and the duration of illness. Fifteen percent of the subjects used MDIs frequently because of anxiety. 2) Fifty percent of the subjects, most of them had neurotic or alexithymic characters, used MDIs without suffering from dyspnea or wheezes; the subjects who used MDIs because of anxiety increased in proportion to the duration of illness. 3) Seventy eight percent of the subjects were anxious about asthmatic attack when they did not carry any MDI; sixty two percent of the subjects, most of them had neurotic or alexithymic characters, actually experienced asthmatic attack. 4) Seventy three percent of the subjects used MDIs secretly; sixty percent of the subjects did not like to inhale in the presence of others. 5) There were some subjects who acted incorrectly on or after asthmatic attack when MDIs were not effective.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

[Clinical study on bronchial hyperresponsiveness and development of bronchial asthma in patients with persistent cough].

The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether in patients with persistent cough the presence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BH) and development of asthma could be speculated based on clinical data. Only patients who met strict criteria excluding exogenous factors that influence BH, especially smoking or respiratory infection, were included in this study. The study group included 15 males and 50 females aged 18 to 62 years (mean +/- S.D. of 44 +/- 12 years) whose physical findings, chest X-rays, spirometry results and peripheral leukocyte counts were within normal limits. Duration of cough was at least one month. The patients had no history of wheezing, dyspnea or previous bronchodilator therapy. None of them had ever been smokers. In addition, there was no history of upper respiratory tract infection in the preceding month. BH was assessed by "Astograph" using methacholine. Cmin and Dmir or SGrs/Grs cont. were measured as the indexes of bronchial sensitivity or reactivity respectively. A methacholine Cmin of 3, 125 micrograms/ml or less was taken as a positive indication of BH. The evaluated clinical data were age, pulmonary function (spirogram or flow volume curve), atopic factors (serum total IgE and family or personal history of atopic diseases), peripheral eosinophil count, bronchial sensitivity or reactivity, and clinical features of cough (induction by exercise or cold air and nocturnal worsening). The results were as follows. (1) Twenty-nine (45%) of 65 patients were BH-positive (BH-positive group). (2) There was no significant difference in age, %FVC, IgE, and family or personal history of atopic diseases between the BH-positive and negative group. However, the BH-positive group had significantly lower FEV1.0%, %FEV1.0, PEFR, (p less than 0.05) and V25/H (p less than 0.01) and a higher peripheral eosinophil count (p less than 0.05) than the BH-negative group. (3) Seventeen (85%) of 20 BH-positive patients prescribed bronchodilators (beta 2 agonist/theophylline) responded to therapy within a month. (4) Seven (29%) of 24 BH-positive patients available for 2 years follow-up developed clinical asthma. (5) There was no significant difference in %FVC, FEV1.0%, V25/H and peripheral eosinophil count between the patients who developed asthma (Group A) and those who did not (Group N-A). However, The patients in Group A were older than those in Group N-A.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

[Psychosomatic study of inhalation therapy in patients with bronchial asthma. II. Relationship between subjective self assessment of dyspnea and peak expiratory flow rates].

The degree of dyspnea when using metered-dose inhalers (MDIs), and the relationship between subjective self assessments and objective peak expiratory flow rates were examined by means of visual analogue scales and mini wright peak flow meters in 16 subjects with asthma. Three subjects who were neurotic in character were found to have a poor perception of the degree of airway obstruction after inhalation compared with objective changes in their condition. Two subjects, one neurotic and one alexithymic, assessed the degree of dyspnea to be worse after inhalation, when objectively there were few changes. However, one neurotic subject perceived an improvement in his condition when, in fact, there was little change. Furthermore, some severe cases used MDIs in the rogressive state of airway obstruction. In conclusion, we must pay attention to patients' characters when determining treatment in order to prevent overuse of MDIs or delays in treatments including the use of MDIs.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[Comparative analysis of Hancock and St. Jude Medical valve after mitral valve replacement].

Long term results were compared in 81 operative survivors with MVR using Hancock valve (Hancock group) and 83 using St. Jude Medical valve (SJM group). The cumulative follow-up was 709.0 patients-year (p-y) and 175.2 p-y in the Hancock and SJM groups. Twenty-four percent of the patients in the Hancock group was permanently anticoagulated, while 100% of patients in the SJM group anticoagulated. The 7-year actuarial survival rate including early mortality was 79.3 +/- 4.6% for the Hancock and 93.9 +/- 3.0% for the SJM group (p less than 0.01). The survival rate was significantly higher in the SJM group than that in the Hancock group. The 7-year actuarial event free rate of the valve-related complications in the Hancock and SJM groups were as follows; thromboembolism 88.6 +/- 3.8% vs 95.0 +/- 2.8% (NS), hemorrhage, 94.0 +/- 3.0% vs 98.7 +/- 1.8% (NS), paravalvular leak 92.6 +/- 3.2% vs 97.4 +/- 1.8% (NS), infection 93.9 +/- 3.0% vs 100% (p less than 0.05), valve malfunction 78.0 +/- 5.2% vs 100% (p less than 0.001), overall valve related complications 58.9 +/- 5.9% vs 91.1 +/- 3.5% (p less than 0.001), reoperation for valve-related complication 83.1 +/- 4.6% vs 100% (p less than 0.01). The event free rate of reoperation for valve related complication in the Hancock group was significantly lower than that in the SJM group. The Hancock valve had the acceptable antithrombogenicity, but had the limited long-term durability.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗

PubMed1991

Dietary sodium concentration modifies catecholamine release with stress in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

A high sodium diet increased the plasma norepinephrine (PNE) only in resting spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). SHR on either a high or low sodium diet showed a greater increase in arterial pressure (AP) than Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) with foot shock (FS). However, neither a high nor low sodium diet enhanced the increment of AP in both SHR and WKY with FS. Only a low sodium diet enhanced the increment of PNE and plasma epinephrine in SHR with FS. Extreme restriction of sodium intake might thus enhance the response of sympathetic activation with stressful stimuli.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

[Le Duc-Camey antireflux ureteroileal reimplantation for continent ileal reservoir].

Le Duc-Camey antireflux ureteroileal reimplantation was used on 15 patients with 30 ureters reimplanted into the ileum as part of a bladder substitution procedure (Kock pouch or ileal neobladder: U-bladder) or augmentation cystoplasty (Goodwin ileocystoplasty). In our experience, no reflux was observed, while hydronephrosis was identified in one ureter of ileal neobladder (4%). Le Duc-Camey antireflux ureteroileal reimplantation is suitable for reconstruction with the ileal reservoir.

Aged↗