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Biomedical subjects

H Kusaka

Publications and source records attributed to H Kusaka.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

[A case report of the pathognomonic relationship between idiopathic interstitial pneumonia and silicosis].

A 67 year-old male complaining of cough and exertional dyspnea was hospitalized for evaluation of an abnormal chest shadow. Chest X-ray films revealed bilateral diffuse nodular shadows, honeycombing in the lower lung fields and pleural thickening suggestive of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. He had worked as a boilerman and painting using various materials. Transbronchial lung biopsy did not reveal silicotic nodules or asbestos bodies. Analytical electron microscopic study demonstrated amounts of free silica without other elements and asbestos fibers. This case suggests a pathognomonic relationship between idiopathic interstitial pneumonia and silica inhalation.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1990

[Tracheal dimensions in young twins].

Tracheal dimensions were analyzed radiographically in 17 pairs of healthy high school boys (12 pairs of monozygotic twins and 5 pairs of dizygotic twins). Coefficients of variation in interindividual extra- and intrathoracic tracheal widths, tracheal depth, tracheal length, and cross sectional area ranged from 9.6 to 17.3%. Genetic influence was found in intrathoracic as well as extrathoracic tracheal widths at maximal expiration and in extrathoracic tracheal width at maximal inspiration. Intrathoracic tracheal width remained the same at either maximal inspiration or expiration. However, extrathoracic tracheal width became larger at maximal inspiration regardless of great changes in pleural pressure. These results indicate that tracheal rings may be influenced by genetic factors and that extrathoracic width may be enlarged during maximal inspiration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Potent effects of the prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor indomethacin on the cellular immune response in gastrointestinal cancer patients].

An increased level of prostaglandin E2, which is produced in carcinoma tissue, has been suggested to be involved in immunosuppression in cancer patients. This study examines the hypothesis in which the inhibition of prostaglandin production by a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent, indomethacin, could modulate cancer-induced cellular immunosuppression. The experimental results demonstrated (i) a restoration of cellular immune reaction (NK activity of spleen monocytes) followed by tumor regression in subcutaneously transplanted colon adenocarcinoma 26-bearing BALB/c mice, which received 0.002% water solution as drinking water from day 0 or 7 of tumor transplantation, compared with indomethacin-untreated mice, (ii) an improved cellular immune response (PHA-and Con A-augmented lymphocyte blastogenesis, NK activity and LAK activity of peripheral venous blood monocytes) in 19 stomach cancer and 11 colorectal cancer patients before surgery, who received a daily oral dose of 75 mg indomethacin for 7 days, and in 8 colorectal cancer patients after curative surgery, who received a daily oral dose of 600 mg tegafur and 50 mg indomethacin for 1 month or longer, compared to patients without indomethacin treatment. It suggests, therefore, that the prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, indomethacin, may restore cellular immunity, and may provide a good therapeutic tool against cancer of the gastrointestinal tract.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Epithelium-lined cyst of the pretectal region: case report and electron microscope study.

Ultrastructural findings of an epithelium-lined cyst in the left pretectal region are reported. A 38-year-old woman developed a sensory disturbance on her right side and blurring of vision. Computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance images disclosed a round cystic lesion in the left pretectum. Light microscopically, the cyst was found to be lined by a single layer of cuboidal epithelial cells. Electron microscope examination revealed that the epithelial cells of the cyst possessed clear nuclei, abundant tonofilaments, and glycogen granules, featured as well as the usual organellae. The free surface of the epithelial cells had numerous finger-like microvilli with coating materials. These cells were interconnected by well-developed desmosomes and interdigitations, and also possessed basal lamina materials on the basal surface. These cytological features suggest a heterogenous origin of the cells rather than a neuroepithelial one.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes. Report of an autopsy.

We present an autopsy report on a 14-year-old girl with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS), placing emphasis on the mitochondrial enzymatic histochemistry of the 3 types skeletal muscle and cardiomyocytes. Generalized muscular atrophy, cardiac hypertrophy, cerebral cortical laminar necrosis, basal ganglia calcification and liver steatosis were observed. In the skeletal muscles, modified Gomori's trichrome staining demonstrated scattered ragged red fibers, and histochemical staining for mitochondrial enzymes showed intense positivity in the subsarcolemmal zones of some muscle fibers. Some of the hypertrophic cardiomyocytes also showed a ragged red appearance with the modified Gomori's trichrome stain. Histochemical staining for mitochondrial enzymes showed patchy loss of enzymatic activity in the myocardium. Electron microscopically, extreme accumulation of enlarged mitochondria and severe loss of myofibrils was observed in both skeletal muscle fibers and cardiomyocytes. The arteriolar smooth muscle cells also showed a mild increase in mitochondria.

Acidosis, Lactic↗
PubMed1989

Five-year follow-up of Micropolyspora faeni antibody in smoking and nonsmoking farmers.

To examine factors that influence changes in Micropolyspora faeni (MF) antibody titer in farmer's lung disease (FLD), we followed for 5 yr the prevalence of serum MF antibody and the epidemiologic factors (years on farm, hours in barn, and hay-handling time) among 92 dairy farmers in Hokkaido, Japan. The prevalence of MF antibody among nonsmokers was significantly higher than that among smokers: 27.1% versus 7.7% in 1979, 31.3% versus 2.9% in 1984. There was no remarkable change in overall prevalences of MF antibody between 1979 and 1984 (18.5 and 19.6%, respectively). However, out of 17 seropositive farmers, six (35%) became seronegative, and out of 75 seronegative farmers, seven (9.3%) became seropositive after 5 yr. The nonsmoking farmers who remained seronegative throughout the follow-up period were older and had worked longer on farms than the farmers with seroconversion. These results suggest that in addition to smoking habits, age and exposure time to MF influence the immune response to MF in dairy farmers. Out of 11 farmers who remained seropositive throughout the 5-yr period, two (18.2%) developed FLD. Therefore, continuously positive MF antibody is one of the risk factors in the development of FLD.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Primary interosseous meningioma associated with pregnancy--case report.

The authors present the case of a 32-year-old female with a hard, bony mass on her left forehead, present for several years, which rapidly increased in size after she became pregnant. Neuroradiologically, the tumor appeared to have originated in the interosseous space, and it invaded the subgaleal and intracranial spaces as the pregnancy advanced. The tumor was explored and removed after delivery. Light and electron microscopic studies verified that it had the characteristics of a typical meningotheliomatous meningioma. Interosseous meningiomas are biologically and morphologically similar to intracranial meningiomas and must be followed carefully during pregnancy because of their potential for rapid growth at this time.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Ultrastructural study of chromatolytic neurons in an adult-onset sporadic case of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Ultrastructural features of chromatolytic neurons observed in a sporadic case with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are reported. A 70-year-old woman died of weakness and atrophy of the four limbs, bulbar and facial muscles, and hyperreflexia, of 3 1/2 years' duration. Neuronal loss was marked in the anterior horn of the spinal cord, with degeneration of the pyramidal tracts. Most of the remaining neurons showed chromatolysis. Some of the chromatolytic neurons contained faintly eosinophilic inclusions with a halo. Few spheroids were observed. Hypoglossal nuclei, nucleus ambiguus, motor nuclei of N.VII and N.V were well populated, but contained several chromatolytic neurons. Ultrastructurally, the chromatolytic neurons contained aggregates of fibrils thicker than the 10-nm neurofilaments. These fibrils were arranged randomly, and were closely associated with granular materials as well as rough endoplasmic reticulum. Neurofilamentous accumulations reported to be common in sporadic ALS were rare in this case. No Bunina body was observed.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗
PubMed1988

[A case of spontaneous superficial temporal artery aneurysm].

A rare case of a 14-year-old boy with a spontaneous (true) aneurysm of the superficial temporal artery is presented. The mass in the right parietal region was pulsatile and gradually enlarged in size for the last several months without any notable history of head trauma. The mass was successfully removed by surgery and has proved histopathologically to be a true aneurysm. While almost all cases of the superficial temporal artery aneurysm reported are traumatic ones, the true aneurysm of this artery which is verified by angiography is extremely rare. The pathology, etiology and treatment of this true aneurysm of the superficial temporal artery were discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

[Subacute cerebellar degeneration with HCG-beta positive seminoma of the testis].

Neurological disorders associated with a malignant neoplasm, which is not caused by a direct effect such as metastasis, infiltration or compression, is called carcinomatous neuromyopathy. Subacute cerebellar degeneration recognized in this category is characterized by acutely or subacutely progressive cerebellar ataxia and widespread loss of Purkinje cells. There have been several reports of subacute cerebellar degeneration in lung carcinoma, ovarian carcinoma and Hodgkin's disease, but rare in urogenital malignancies. We present a patient with neurological disorder considered subacute cerebellar degeneration associated with HCG-beta positive seminoma. A 29-year-old man noticed a left intrascrotal mass in the summer of 1984. The mass began to grow in April, 1985 and diplopia, gait disturbance and dysarthria appeared late in May. He consulted our hospital on July 20, 1985. Serum human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)-beta was elevated to 200 ng/ml but alpha-fetoprotein and carcinoembryonic antigen were normal. Left high orchiectomy was performed and the tumor was diagnosed histologically as typical seminoma. Bulky metastatic tumor was recognized in retroperitoneum on abdominal CT but brain CT was normal. VAB VI chemotherapy was performed. The retroperitoneal metastatic tumor disappeared and HCG-beta was normalized and complete remission achieved, but cerebellar symptoms still remain 14 months after remission. This case is considered to be subacute cerebellar degeneration associated with seminoma and is the second case with testicular carcinoma reported.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1986

Transformation of cells of astrocyte lineage into macrophage-like cells in organotypic cultures of mouse spinal cord tissue.

Phagocytic cells on the surface of the explants and their relationships to the surface were examined morphologically and immunocytochemically in organotypic cultures of mouse spinal cord tissue. Phagocytic cells were rounded, had smooth cytoplasmic surfaces and were occasionally closely apposed to underlying cells by junctional complexes. These cells contained dense bodies, vacuoles, smooth and coated vesicles, a few microtubules and bundles of intermediate filaments similar to astroglial filaments. The superficial layer of the explant which usually consisted of astroglial cell bodies and their processes, sometimes contained immature neuroepithelial cells with numerous free ribosomes, centrioles, Golgi apparatus, microtubules and infrequently, intermediate filaments. Overall, the cells resembled poorly differentiated astrocytes. Numerous dense bodies and coated vesicles were observed in some of these immature cells as well as in astrocytes in the surface layer of the explant. Cytoplasmic bridges between immature cells within the explant and phagocytic cells on the surface were observed. Immunocytochemistry revealed the presence of glial fibrillary acidic protein within these surface phagocytic cells. It thus appears that immature neuroepithelial cells of astrocytic lineage are capable of transforming into macrophage-like cells in organotypic culture.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Trachea and lung dimensions in nonsmoking twins: morphological and functional studies.

To compare genetic and environmental factors that determine lung function and dimensions, chest radiographs and pulmonary function were measured in 17 pairs of nonsmoking twin adolescent boys (12 monozygotic pairs and 5 dizygotic pairs). Genetic factors dominated in tracheal width and lung dimensions (height, width, and apicofissural and fissurodiaphragmatic distances) at residual volume. Genetic factors also affected forced vital capacity, functional residual capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, maximum expiratory flow at 25% vital capacity, and maximum flow at 50% vital capacity-to-forced vital capacity ratio. Peak expiratory flow correlated with tracheal width at residual volume. Age correlated with lung dimensions (width and depth) but not with tracheal width. These results indicate that genetic factors determine the dimensions and function of central airways, peripheral airways, and lung parenchyma in adolescent males. The effects of genetic factors on some functional measurements (airway resistance, closing volume-to-vital capacity ratio, and phase III in single-breath N2 washout) may be masked because of poor reproducibility of the tests.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Production mechanism of crackles in excised normal canine lungs.

Lung crackles may be produced by the opening of small airways or by the sudden expansion of alveoli. We studied the generation of crackles in excised canine lobes ventilated in an airtight box. Total airflow, transairway pressure (Pta), transpulmonary pressure (Ptp), and crackles were recorded simultaneously. Crackles were produced only during inflation and had high-peak frequencies (738 +/- 194 Hz, mean +/- SD). During inflation, crackles were produced from 111 +/- 83 ms (mean +/- SD) prior to the negative peak of Pta, presumably when small airways began to open. When end-expiratory Ptp was set constant between 15 and 20 cmH2O and end-expiratory Ptp was gradually reduced from 5 cmH2O to -15 or -20 cmH2O in a breath-by-breath manner, crackles were produced in the cycles in which end-expiratory Ptp fell below -1 to 1 cmH2O. This pressure was consistent with previously known airway closing pressures. When end-expiratory Ptp was set constant at -10 cmH2O and end inspiratory Ptp was gradually increased from -5 to 15 or 20 cmH2O, crackles were produced in inspiratory phase in which end-inspiratory Ptp exceeded 4-6 cmH2O. This pressure was consistent with previously known airway opening pressures. These results indicate that crackles in excised normal dog lungs are produced by opening of peripheral airways and are not generated by the sudden inflation of groups of alveoli.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Ultrastructural study of early stage of calcification in herpes simplex encephalitis.

A case of herpes simplex encephalitis was investigated at the ultrastructural level. Herpes simplex virions were observed, both in nuclei and perikarya of degenerated cells in the cerebrum. Needle-shaped mineralized precipitates were also present in the disintegrated cells. These mineralized depositions were confined to mitochondria. This finding suggests that mitochondria serve as initial nidus of calcification in herpes simplex encephalitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Fine structure of astrocytic processes during serum-induced demyelination in vitro.

Astrocytic changes were examined ultrastructurally during serum-induced demyelination in organotypic cultures of mouse spinal cord tissue. The myelin sheaths of most myelinated fibers showed myelin breakdown. Sheet-like astrocytic processes completely and closely surrounded the demyelinating fibers and frequently engulfed myelin fragments. These processes were virtually devoid of glial filaments or microtubules and contained flocculogranular material, round and elongated cisterns and glycogen granules. Penetration of the myelin sheath by astrocytic processes was only rarely found. The cell body of the astrocyte was never insinuated between the myelin sheath and the axon. No endocytosis of myelin droplets via coated pits on the surface of astrocytes was observed. In comparison with phagocytic mononuclear cells in vivo, astrocytes in vitro dispose of myelin debris less actively. Astrocytes in serum-induced demyelination probably play a nonspecific but fundamental role during degeneration in segregating damaged nerve fibers from surrounding neuronal elements.

Animals↗