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Biomedical subjects

H Sakuma

Publications and source records attributed to H Sakuma.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Swellings of proximal axons in a case of motor neuron disease.

Serial semithin sections of lumbar anterior horn cells from a patient with rapidly progressive sporadic motor neuron disease were searched for direct connections between swellings of neuronal processes and perikarya. Focal swellings of the proximal axons were not uncommonly seen to be connected directly to perikarya. These swellings varied in shape and size and some were identified as spheroids. Most of the cell bodies connected with swellings showed otherwise normal architecture. These observations suggest that the focal swellings of proximal axons, particularly the distal portion of the initial segment and the first internode of the myelinated axon, indicate an early pathological change, and may represent functionally and morphologically vulnerable sites.

Aged↗

Sporadic motor neuron disease with Lewy body-like hyaline inclusions.

Lewy body-like hyaline inclusions were immunocytochemically and electron microscopically investigated in a patient with sporadic motor neuron disease. The hyaline inclusions were chiefly observed within the perikarya of both normal-looking and chromatolytic anterior horn cells in the lumbar spinal cord, but some were detected in the axons and dendrites. Usually, a single inclusion was found in the perikaryon, but in rare cases two or more were observed. Immunocytochemically, these inclusions were intensely immunostained with anti-ubiquitin antibody. Ultrastructurally, the hyaline inclusions were chiefly composed of randomly arranged linear structures associated with ribosome-like granules, varying from compactly arranged linear densities to more loosely packed ones. They contained scattered vesicles of various sizes and occasionally a focal accumulation of randomly arranged 10-nm neurofilaments or 13-25-nm filamentous structures.

Aged↗

The influence of cutting the pancreatic nerve plexus on exocrine function in the pancreas of rats.

This study was performed to clarify changes in protein synthesis and exocrine enzymes of the pancreas after cutting the pancreatic nerve plexus of Wistar rats. The rats were divided into two groups, consisting of a group that underwent cutting of the pancreatic nerve plexus (neurotomy group) and a group that underwent a sham operation (control group). 3H-leucine uptake in the pancreatic protein fraction of the neurotomy group at 3, 5 and 7 days after the operation was significantly lower than that of the control group (P less than 0.05-0.01), and this low uptake returned to the normal range at 14 days. Amylase, lipase and trypsin values in pancreatic tissue of the neurotomy group decreased during the period of from 1 to 7 days, and there were significant differences in the values of the respective enzymes at 5 or 7 days between the neurotomy and the control group (P less than 0.05). Thereafter, all enzyme values increased to within the normal range. Upon examination of pancreatic blood flow using a microsphere, the neurotomy group showed a significant reduction at 7 days compared with the control group (P less than 0.05), and thereafter exhibited recovery of blood flow. These results indicate that after cutting the pancreatic nerve plexus, exocrine function in the pancreas is reduced immediately but recovers within a short period of time, and that these changes in exocrine function are affected by blood flow in the pancreas.

Amylases↗

Clinical evaluation of semiautomatic and automatic devices for home blood pressure measurement: comparison between cuff-oscillometric and microphone methods.

The accuracy and reliability of blood pressure (BP) values were evaluated by comparing values obtained with eight automatic or semiautomatic devices designed for home BP measurement (four microphone devices based on the Korotkoff-sound technique and four cuff-oscillometric devices) with those obtained by the auscultatory method, using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) values obtained using the microphone devices coincided well with those obtained by the auscultatory method. However, these devices produced a certain proportion of errors in the measurement of diastolic blood pressure (DBP), sometimes resulting in recordings at least 25 mmHg higher than those obtained by the standard method. The most frequent causes of this phenomenon were an auscultatory (silent) gap and a weak Korotkoff sound after phase IV. A microphone device using a condenser microphone built into the manometer displayed comparatively good acoustic characteristics for determining DBP. All cuff-oscillometric devices demonstrated minimal mean differences and a constant s.d. of mean difference for DBP, with no great differences from the auscultatory method. However, mean differences and s.d.s in SBP measurements using cuff-oscillometric devices were relatively greater than those obtained using some of the microphone devices. Furthermore, the direction of the mean differences in measurements from those obtained with the auscultatory method differed. The error in relation to the auscultatory method tended to be reproducible in the same subjects with both the microphone and the cuff-oscillometric devices.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ambulatory Care↗

Similarity in amplitude of the nocturnal fall in blood pressure in old and young patients with essential hypertension.

The influence of age on the nocturnal fall in blood pressure (BP) was examined in essential hypertensive patients as well as normal subjects. BP was monitored every 5 min for 24 hr by means of a finger volume oscillometric device. Average daytime BP was similar in the 3 age groups [young: less than 40 (years), n = 49, average daytime systolic BP (ASBP) = 132 +/- 20 mmHg, average daytime diastolic BP (ADBP) = 82 +/- 17 mmHg; adult: 40 less than or equal to less than 60, n = 110, ASBP = 127 +/- 19 mmHg, ADBP = 86 +/- 13 mmHg; old: 60 less than or equal to, n = 33, ASBP = 131 +/- 17 mmHg. ADBP = 83 +/- 11, mean +/- S.D.]. The nocturnal fall in BP was observed in all age groups and its amplitude (delta BP = average daytime BP - average nighttime BP) in the old patients (delta SBP = 13 +/- 11 mmHg, delta DBP = 10 + 8 mmHg) was similar to that in the young patients (delta SBP = 11 +/- 8 mmHg, delta DBP = 10 +/- 8 mmHg). The results suggests that information on the nocturnal behavior of BP is valuable in treating aged essential hypertensives to prevent cerebral and/or myocardial ischemia during sleep.

Adolescent↗

[Effect of PMU hepatic arterial chemotherapy for liver metastases of gastric cancer. Hokuriku Cisplatin Round-table Conference].

We performed PMU hepatic arterial chemotherapy (a combination therapy consisting of intra-hepatic arterial infusion of CDDP and MMC, oral administration of UFT) in 20 patients with gastric cancer and liver metastases. In this method, 1-6 courses of one infusion of CDDP at 70-100 mg/body and MMC of 10 mg/body into the proper hepatic artery were administered at intervals of 3-4 weeks. UFT of 300-400 mg/day was orally administered with the infusion. The primary response for hepatic metastatic lesions was observed in one case of CR, 14 cases of PR, 4 cases of NC, and one case of PD. The efficacy for CR and PR was high at 75%. The median disease-free interval was 56 weeks in responders. The 50% survival period was 11.1 months; one-year survival rate, 42.1%; two-year survival rate, 12.3%; the longest survival period was 108 weeks. Mild and transient side effects were recognized in 17 cases (85%): gastrointestinal symptoms, sense of general malaise, fever, leukocytopenia, and elevated BUN. Thus, the results indicated that this combination chemotherapy was effective for liver metastases of gastric cancer.

Administration, Oral↗

[Clinical significance of red cell distribution width in polycythemia vera].

We evaluated changes in red cell distribution width-standard deviation (RDW-SD) measured using a multiple parameter automated hematology analyzer E 4000 in patients with polycythemia vera (PV). Patients with iron deficiency anemia, those with chronic myelogenous leukemia, those with primary thrombocythemia, and normal subjects were examined as controls. In the patients with PV, as in those with the other 3 diseases, RDW-SD tended to be higher than in the normal controls when red blood cell counts were high. The RDW-SD in patients with PV transiently increased following administration of a myelosuppressive, which corresponded to the transition period from microcytes to normal blood cells. It was even higher during the polycythemic period than during the myelofibrotic period. This may be associated with hematopoietic abnormality due to extramedullary hematopoiesis. RDW-SD seems to well reflect the pathologic status of PV.

Adolescent↗

Effects of "wettability" of biomaterials on culture cells.

New objectives of the development of biomaterials in recent years include how to control surface characteristics of materials and the attachment of cells to implant sites. This study clarified the effect of "wettability" of materials on culture cells, with wettability being expressed by the contact angle of the material to the water. First, low-temperature plasma treatment was administered so that samples of the same materials and shapes could be obtained, differing only in wettability. The contact angles at the surfaces of the samples and their surface roughness were then measured, and surfaces were analyzed by ESCA. For clarification of the biological response of the cell to wettability, attachment of connective tissues and epithelial-tissue-originated established cell lines to the material and its cell spreading were investigated in each test sample. As a result, it was found that the contact angle of each material used in the experiment affected both the cell attachment and spreading rates; thus, wettability of biomaterials is considered to be an important parameter of biological effect at the cell level.

Animals↗

[Effects of indomethacin on cellular resistance and synthesis of prostaglandins in epithelial cells isolated from rat gastric mucosa].

This study was done to test effects of indomethacin (IND) on cell damage and prostaglandin (PG) synthesis in mucosal epithelial cells isolated from rat stomach in vitro. IND caused the cell damage in a dose-related way at concentrations over 5 X 10(-4) M. This damage was inhibited by 16,16-dimethyl PGE2 (10(-6) M). IND abolished the synthesis of PGE2, PGI2, and TXA2 at the concentration of 10(-4) M at which IND alone did not cause cell damage. The cells treated with 10(-4) M IND were significantly susceptible to damage caused by 15% ethanol compared to the cells not treated with IND. 16,16-Dimethyl PGE2 also inhibited the damage caused by IND + ethanol. These results suggest that the IND-induced susceptibility of the cells to damage is related to PG deficiency.

16,16-Dimethylprostaglandin E2↗

Gastric mucosal resistance and prostanoid levels after cimetidine treatment in rats.

We studied the effects of cimetidine administered intraperitoneally to rats at a dose of 20 mg/kg twice daily for 7 days on gastric mucosal integrity and endogenous prostaglandins. Cimetidine significantly (p less than 0.05) reduced the mucosal concentration of prostaglandin E2 and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha both 30 min and 24 h after the last injection of this drug, and the level had returned to normal 5 days later. Cimetidine significantly (p less than 0.01) enhanced gastric mucosal lesions induced with 0.6 N HCl 24 h after the last injection; this increased vulnerability had disappeared 5 days later. Cimetidine did not affect the synthesis of these prostanoids in isolated gastric mucosa in vitro. Gastric secretion, which was significantly (p less than 0.05) inhibited 30 min after the last injection of cimetidine, returned to control level 24 h after the last injection. The increase in gastric mucosal vulnerability observed 24 h after the last cimetidine injection might be related to a decrease in the prostanoid content and recovery of acid secretion.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Hypothalamo-pituitary dopaminergic system in patients with myotonic dystrophy.

We studied the function of hypothalamo-pituitary dopaminergic system in 15 myotonic dystrophy (MyD) patients whose growth hormone (GH) responses to insulin or arginine had been normal. We obtained the following findings: (1) basal levels of plasma GH and prolactin (PRL) were normal, although the latter levels were slightly lower than controls, (2) both GH and PRL responses to L-dopa or bromocriptine were significantly blunted compared with controls, (3) PRL response to sulpiride was also significantly low compared with controls. These results indicate that hypothalamic dopaminergic neuron and its postsynaptic dopamine receptors relating to GH secretion might be impaired. It was also suggested that the dopamine receptors of pituitary PRL cells might be impaired and the PRL reserve of pituitary cells might be decreased in some case.

Adolescent↗

Plain chest radiograph with computed radiography: improved sensitivity for the detection of coronary artery calcification.

The ability of computed radiography (CR) with photostimulable phosphor to detect coronary artery calcification (CAC) was compared with conventional radiography with the film-screen method. Posteroanterior and lateral chest radiographs were reviewed that had been obtained with both methods in 77 patients with a variety of heart diseases. Cineangiography confirmed that 31 patients had CAC (left CAC in 31 patients, right CAC in 11) and that 46 patients had no CAC. For left CAC, the sensitivity of CR was 71%, significantly higher than that of conventional radiography (32%, p less than .01). For right CAC, the sensitivity of CR was only 27%, but that of conventional radiography was 0%. The specificities in detecting CAC were similar for both methods (CR, 96%; conventional method, 100%). Fine anatomic details of calcified foci were seen more clearly on CR. Chest imaging with the CR system is a promising method for detecting CAC.

Adolescent↗

[Evaluation of postoperative hepatobiliary function by deconvolution analysis of hepatobiliary image data by 99mTc-N-pyridoxyl-5-methyltryptophan].

Dynamic hepatobiliary image data were analyzed by the mathematical deconvolution to derive the transfer function (TF) which represents the impulse response function of the liver following direct bolus injection of a tracer into the liver. Biliary flow was evaluated by TF in patients with previous hepatobiliary surgery to detect abnormal flow causing problems such as cholangitis. Serial image data were collected for 60 min after intravenous injection of 37-75 MBq (1-2 mCi) of 99mTc-N-pyridoxyl-5-methyltryptophan (99mTc-PMT). TF was obtained by the matrix algorithm, using regional hepatogram as output and time-activity curve over the heart as input function. Minimum, mean and maximum transit time (Max. TT) were determined from TF. The functional image for each of the transit times was constructed by displaying the distribution of the values for matrix elements with a color scale. In this study, a critical Max. TT of 60 min was used to detect abnormal biliary flow. Of 30 cases, 9 positive cases were discriminated from 21 negative cases on the basis of the finding of presence or absence of areas with Max. TT of more than 60 min anywhere in the liver. Bowel activity overlapping the liver was excluded in the judgment. The validity of this method was evaluated in comparison with the clinical courses after surgery with (8 cases) or without (22 cases) problems. The results were sensitivity of 88%, specificity of 91%, accuracy of 90% and positive predictive value of 78%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗

[Ultrasonic examination of the breast lesions].

Todays topics on ultrasonic imaging such as ultrasounds of small cancers, noninvasive carcinoma and microcalcifications in breast cancers are discussed. For small breast cancers, 10 mm for infiltrating type and 15 mm for circumscribed type were necessary to be fully diagnosed by US. Of noninvasive ductal carcinomas, a half of them showed the same US pattern as that of invasive ca. and 20% fibrocystic like pattern. The low echoic areas of noninvasive ca. were more round, more different in size and lower echo level than that of fibrocystic disease. The detection of microcalcifications in breast cancers were finely succeeded by US in 63% of cases. Microcalcifications were described by US at first clinically and then ascertained by breast US phantoms. They were described as fine echogenic spots without shadowing low echoic cancer area.

Adenocarcinoma, Scirrhous↗