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Biomedical subjects

H Taniguchi

Publications and source records attributed to H Taniguchi.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

Pulmonary Nocardia otitidiscaviarum infection in a patient with chronic respiratory infection.

We report a case of pulmonary Nocardia (N.) otitidiscaviarum infection in a 76-year-old man with chronic respiratory infection. The patient responded poorly to intravenous imipenem and oral minocycline, but later improved after treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Pulmonary infection with N. otitidiscaviarum should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic respiratory infections. Further studies are needed to evaluate the correlation between species and drug susceptibility.

Aged↗

Role of platelet-activating factor on extravascular lung water after coronary reperfusion in dogs.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF), one of the harmful substances released after coronary reperfusion, has been reported to increase pulmonary vascular permeability and induce pulmonary edema. In this study, we sought to examine the possible role of PAF in the genesis of pulmonary edema after coronary reperfusion. Extravascular lung water (EVLW) was measured by the thermal-dye double indicator dilution method during coronary ligation and after reperfusion in situ in dogs. The proximal left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded for 15 min and reperfused in 5 dogs (group 1), while five other dogs (group 2) were treated with PAF-antagonist (TCV-309, 1 mg/kg) before coronary artery occlusion. EVLW and hemodynamic indices were measured at baseline, 15 min of coronary occlusion, and 15 and 30 min after coronary reperfusion. EVLW increased at 15 min of coronary occlusion in both groups, but there was no significant difference between the two groups (6.4 to 10.3 ml/kg and 5.4 to 7.1 ml/kg in groups 1 and 2, respectively). After coronary reperfusion, EVLW increased further in group 1 (6.4 to 16.5 ml/kg, p < 0.01), but no further increase was observed in group 2 at 30 min after coronary reperfusion. There were no significant differences in hemodynamic indices between the two groups throughout the test. Thus, PAF-antagonist attenuated the increase in EVLW after coronary reperfusion independent of hemodynamic indices, and hence, PAF may play an important role in the genesis of pulmonary edema caused by coronary reperfusion.

Animals↗

[Irreversible airflow limitation in asthmatics].

To evaluate irreversible airflow limitation in asthmatics, we studied 168 patients admitted to our hospital with acute exacerbation of asthma. All patients were given intravenous methylprednisolone for at least 7 days to maximum 14 days and the best of PEF (% of predicted) was evaluated. In all subjects, the best of PEF showed significant correlations with both the patients' age (r = -0.411, p < 0.0001) and the duration of asthma (r = -0.494, p < 0.0001). A significant correlations between the best of PEF and the duration of asthma were also observed in both patients over 60 years old (r = -0.157, p < 0.0001) and non-smokers (r = -0.568, p < 0.0001). We conclude that asthma may develop irreversible airflow limitation in itself and the degree of impairment of lung function correlated with the duration of the disease.

Airway Obstruction↗

Mobility of the obturator prosthesis in hemimaxillectomy edentulous patients.

In edentulous patients with maxillary defects, it is difficult to obtain sufficient retention, support, and stability of the obturator prosthesis, in addition, its mobility during various functions is considered to be large. A thorough understanding of the mobility of the obturator prosthesis is important to achieve successful results in the patient's oral rehabilitation. In this study, the ranges of movement of the obturator prostheses in three hemimaxillectomy edentulous patients were compared during tapping, chewing (biscuit), and opening and clenching jaw movements by simultaneously conducting three-dimensional measurements of three points that were established on the central incisor and the right and left first molars of the obturator prosthesis with a jaw movement tracking device having six degrees of freedom. This study indicates that the range of movement of the obturator prosthesis varied extensively from individual to individual. The ranges of movement were larger than those of normal complete dentures and differed considerably from each other when categorized according to the three functions and three measuring points in the patients.

Aged↗

Effect of teeth clenching on isometric and isokinetic strength of ankle plantar flexion.

To investigate the effect of voluntary teeth clenching on the isometric and isokinetic exercises of the lower limbs, the association of muscle strength (peak torque, PT) and muscle activities (integrated electromyographic activity per unit of time, iEMG/s) of the three muscles of the triceps surae with teeth clenching during isometric and isokinetic plantar flexion were simultaneously measured for 12 healthy male volunteers using a Cybex 6000 Extremity Testing and Rehabilitation System and a surface EMG analyzing system. The statistical analysis demonstrated that for the isometric exercise, PT and each iEMG/s significantly increased in association with teeth clenching, and a positive correlation existed between the biting force and each variable. In contrast, no association was found with teeth clenching for the isokinetic exercise. In this study, therefore, it was found that the effect of teeth clenching differed between the isometric and isokinetic exercises.

Adult↗

Application of modal analysis to human subjects: comparison of healthy subjects and cleft lip and palate subjects.

To evaluate the vibrational characteristics of the maxillary arch, modal analysis was applied to human subjects. Twelve healthy human subjects and 2 cleft lip and palate (CLP) subjects with surgical failure in their cleft area were chosen for this study. The main measurement system was composed of an impact hammer, acceleration sensor, CF-6400 FFT Analyzer, PC-9821Xn personal computer, and Vibrant PC modal analysis software. The measurement points were established on 12 teeth between the upper first molars on both sides of the mouth in healthy subjects, and on 10 teeth in CLP subjects. In all subjects, one distinct resonance peak was observed in each transfer function at each measurement point. All of the transfer functions of a given subject strongly resembled each other in terms of shape. The amplitude and modal shapes of the maxillary arches of all the subjects were obtained by using a curve-fitting function in the software. In the healthy subjects, the maxillary arch expanded outward and shrank inward on vibration with no node after an impact. In the CLP subjects, the phase lag between the large and small segment was distinctly observed after an impact. In this study, the applicability of modal analysis for human subjects was demonstrated.

Adult↗

Evaluation of athletic mouthguard through vibration test on maxillary teeth of human dry skull.

The athletic mouthguard has been used for the prevention of orofacial injuries in contact sports. In this research, the effectiveness of a mouthguard was evaluated for its protection of the maxillary teeth of a human dry skull through experimental modal analysis. The upper central incisor was excited by an electrodynamic shaker. The frequency response functions of the upper teeth were then recorded on an FFT analyzer in order to identify modal shapes of the maxillary arch with and without a mouthguard. In addition, transient response simulations were carried out and decay rates of transient response waves were compared. As a result, when the mouthguard was in place, the resonance peaks of the frequency response functions were dampened, and the nodes of the modal shapes for the anterior teeth were indefinite in the frequency domain over 1 kHz. In the transient response simulation, the decay rates of transient response waves when the mouthguard was used were significantly higher than those when the mouthguard was not used (p<0.01). The results suggest that the mouthguard relieves the stress concentrated on the anterior teeth in a frontal collision by absorbing and dispersing some of the shock energy, thus quickly stopping the vibration of the maxillary teeth. These findings support the clinical fact that mouthguards prevent orofacial injuries in sporting activities.

Athletic Injuries↗

Bridging the gap.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Induction of L-histidine decarboxylase in a human mast cell line, HMC-1.

Histamine is an important mediator in allergic reactions, gastric acid secretions, and neurotransmission in the central nervous system. Basophils and mast cells are the main sources of histamine, which is formed from L-histidine by histidine decarboxylase (HDC). However, the regulatory mechanism of HDC in these cells remains unclear. We examined the regulation of HDC activity and gene expression using a unique human mast cell line, HMC-1, after stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or ionomycin. HDC activity was increased from 52.1+/-0.4 (mean+/-standard deviation) to 154+/-6.9, or 105.6+/-6.2 pmol/min/mg protein (n = 3), 4 hours after stimulation with PMA (10 ng/mL) or ionomycin (10[-6] M). Although actinomycin D had no effect on this increase, cycloheximide completely inhibited the increase caused by these stimuli. The population of HMC-1 cells containing HDC protein was increased after stimulation with either PMA or ionomycin as evaluated by immunocytochemical analysis with anti-HDC antibody as a marker. HMC-1 constitutively expressed HDC mRNA, and its level was not increased with these stimuli. These results suggest that the increase of HDC activity in HMC-1 induced by PMA or ionomycin is regulated at the translational level.

Cell Line↗

Prolonged hepatic warm ischemia in non-heart-beating donors: protective effects of FK506 and a platelet activating factor antagonist in porcine liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Prolonged warm ischemic injury in non-heart-beating donors (NHBDs) significantly affects hepatic allograft function after liver transplantation (LTx). METHODS: The effects of FK506 and the platelet activating factor antagonist E5880 on postoperative function of hepatic allografts procured from NHBDs were evaluated in porcine orthotopic LTx. In donors, livers were subjected to 90 minutes of warm ischemia and a subsequent 4-hour cold preservation. Group 1 (n = 6) was the untreated control group. In group 2 (n = 4), donors were pretreated with FK506 (0.3 mg/kg). In group 3 (n = 4), donors and recipients were treated with E5880 (0.3 mg/kg). In group 4 (n = 6), pigs were treated with both FK506 and E5880. RESULTS: All of the recipients in group 1 died within 12 hours. In groups 2 and 3, half of the recipients survived more than 12 hours. In group 4, all of the recipients survived more than 2 days (p < 0.01 compared with group 1). The improved survival seen in group 4 was associated with a reduction in the serum concentrations of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and lactate, and a restoration of hepatic energy charge. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that FK506 and E5880 can improve the function of hepatic allografts subjected to prolonged warm ischemia in NHBDs, and that the protective effects of the two drugs seem to be synergistic.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

[Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia exacerbated by alveolar hemorrhage].

A 60-year-old man, in who idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) was diagnosed in 1990, was admitted to our hospital in March 1995 with exertional dyspnea, hemosputum and fever. On chest X ray, new infiltrates in the bilateral middle lung fields were seen, in addition to reticulonodular shadows in the bilateral lower lung fields, which had been noted in 1990. Intubation was reformed because of hypoxemia, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed in right B6. The BAL fluid was bloody, and a diagnosis of alveolar hemorrhage was made based on the presence of many hemosiderin-laden macrophages in the fluid. After pulse therapy with methylprednisolone, the hypoxemia and chest X ray findings improved, and he was extubated. Alveolar hemorrhage may be one possible complication leading to an exacerbation of IIP.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

[Clinical efficacy of concurrent carboplatin, etoposide, and definitive radiotherapy for stage III non-small-cell lung cancer: consideration as to therapeutic outcomes and morbidity].

To improve the therapeutic outcome for inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer, we applied definitive thoracic radiotherapy combined with concurrent administration of carboplatin and etoposide. We retrospectively analyzed 55 eligible patients with Stage III disease. The one-year rate of overall survival (OAS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) of the total group were 46.1% and 36.1%, respectively. Twenty-nine patients developed thoracic failures (52.7%) and 23 (41.8%) distant failures. Using univariate and multivariate analyses, radiation dose, performance status and LDH were revealed as significant prognostic factors of OAS, and LDH had a strong adverse effect on DMFS. Leucopenia of Grade 3 or higher was noted in 75.9%, anemia in 55.6%, thrombocytopenia in 59.3%, esophagitis in 20.4%, and lung injury in 10.9%. Sufficient gain was not obtained by our strategy, and higher morbidity, especially of lung, was noted than was expected. It was suspected that simultaneous use of oral etoposide might increase radiation pneumonitis, so one should take special care of unexpected toxicity in concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Both the hyperfractionated technique of radiotherapy and the time-dose modification of anti-tumor drugs should be considered in further steps.

Aged↗

[Angiographic diagnosis and management of bleeding from the digestive organs].

Gastrointestinal bleeding is recently seen less often by the angiographer. This is mainly due to advances in endoscopy, and nuclear medicine. When patients with gastrointestinal bleeding are referred, endoscopic diagnosis and therapy should be performed at first. However, when it is impossible to diagnose or to control the bleeding, angiography must be considered as soon as possible. Intra-abdominal bleeding should be diagnosed by angiography at first. In both cases, embolization is generally safe and effective depending on the advance of occlusive agents.

Angiography↗

[Antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in infantile guinea pigs].

To investigate the development of airway hyperresponsiveness in infantile guinea pigs, animals (10 days old) were immunized twice and challenged by inhalation of 1% ovalbumin for 10 min with 7 days intervals. Similar to adult guinea pigs, infantile ones developed an increased airway responsiveness to acetylcholine 24 hr after antigen challenge. There was a marked increase in the number of total leukocytes, eosinophils and lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Suplatast tosilate (suplatast) and pemirolast potassium (pemirolast) given orally throughout the experiments suppressed the development of airway hyperresponsiveness in infantile animals. They showed similar potency in the suppression of eosinophil accumulation in BALF and lung tissue, while suplatast inhibited lymphocyte accumulation stronger than pemirolast. Collectively, the present model of airway hyperresponsiveness in infantile guinea pigs may be useful in predicting the efficacy of antiallergic agents in the treatment of asthmatic children.

Animals↗

Anticoagulation therapy and ocular surgery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: It is not rare for patients receiving anticoagulant therapy to undergo ocular surgery; however, there are no clear guidelines with reference to the operative management of the eye. This study examines the complications in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy who undergo ocular operations and suggests a management regimen for these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The authors retrospectively analyzed 52 patients receiving anticoagulant therapy who underwent ocular surgery between 1993 and 1995. Data included sex, age, reason for anticoagulant therapy, operative procedure, complication rate, and length of time anticoagulant therapy was stopped or reduced prior to surgery. To show the base-line complication rate at their institution, data of patients not receiving anticoagulation therapy were added. RESULTS: Ticlopidine hydrochloride, an antiplatelet drug, was administered to 24 patients. Warfarin sodium was administered to 8 patients, heparin was administered to 8 patients, and other anticoagulants were administered to 20 patients. There were no significant differences in complications between the groups that stopped or reduced anticoagulant therapy and those that did not, but speech disturbance due to thrombotic complication occurred in 1 of 10 patients in whom ticlopidine hydrochloride was stopped or reduced. Hemorrhagic complications occurred in 50% of those who continued ticlopidine hydrochloride, but in none of those who discontinued it (P = .019). There was a significant difference in hemorrhagic complications after cataract surgery between the phacoemulsification, aspiration, and intraocular lens implantation (PEA + IOL) and the planned extracapsular cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation (PECCE + IOL) groups that continued the drug (P = .0011). No patients showed visual acuity reduction due to hemorrhagic complications. CONCLUSIONS: To avoid life-threatening systemic complications, one need not always stop anticoagulant therapy before performing only cataract surgery. Cataract surgery in patients receiving ticlopidine hydrochloride should be performed with PEA + IOL via a small sclerocorneal or a corneal incision. In cataract surgery for patients receiving anticoagulant therapy, hemorrhagic complications are more frequent than in patients not receiving anticoagulant therapy.

Adult↗

Circular dichroism and 1H NMR studies on the structures of peptides derived from the calmodulin-binding domains of inducible and endothelial nitric-oxide synthase in solution and in complex with calmodulin. Nascent alpha-helical structures are stabilized by calmodulin both in the presence and absence of Ca2+.

There exist two types of nitric-oxide synthase (NOS); constitutive isozymes that are activated by binding calmodulin in response to elevated Ca2+ and an inducible isozyme that binds calmodulin regardless of Ca2+. To study the structural basis of the difference in Ca2+ sensitivity, we have designed synthetic peptides of minimal lengths derived from the calmodulin-binding domain of endothelial NOS (eNOS) and that of macrophage NOS (iNOS). A peptide, KRREIPLKVLVKAVLFACMLMRK, derived from human iNOS sequence, retained the ability to bind to calmodulin both in the presence and absence of Ca2+, while a peptide derived from human eNOS sequence, RKKTFKEVANAVKISASLMG, bound to calmodulin only in the presence of Ca2+. Circular dichroism and two-dimensional 1H nuclear magnetic resonance studies suggested that both peptides assume nascent alpha-helical structures in aqueous solution. When mixed with calmodulin, both peptides showed circular dichroism spectra characteristic for alpha-helix. In contrast to other target proteins, the addition of iNOS peptide to calmodulin did not affect the Ca2+ binding of calmodulin appreciably. The peptide derived from the calmodulin-binding domain of iNOS, therefore, binds in alpha-helical structures both to Ca2+-calmodulin and apo-calmodulin, which is unique among various target proteins of calmodulin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗