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Biomedical subjects

K Amano

Publications and source records attributed to K Amano.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources

[Echocardiographic features of small heart].

To clarify the clinical significance of a small heart; i.e., a small cardiac silhouette on chest radiography, an echocardiographic study was performed. Sixty persons with small heart according to cardiothoracic ratios less than or equal to 40%, and 23 age- and sex-matched normal controls (42% less than cardiothoracic ratio less than or equal to 50%) received two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiography. The body weights and body surface areas (BSA) in the small heart group were significantly less than those in the control group. On the lateral chest radiographs, numerous cases with small heart had straight spines and chests with decreased anteroposterior diameters. More than half of the small heart group had a variety of cardiovascular complaints, including chest pain, palpitation, dyspnea, and dizziness. Echocardiographic measurements were performed and hemodynamic indices were calculated. The results were as follows: Left ventricular dimension at end-diastole (LVDd), left ventricular dimension at end-systole (LVDs), left atrial dimension (LAD), and left ventricular mass (LV mass) of the small heart group were significantly less than those of the control group. There were, however, no differences in the values corrected by BSA (LVDd/BSA, LVDs/BSA, LAD/BSA and LV mass/BSA) between the two groups. We found no differences in hemodynamic indices (heart rate, stroke volume, ejection fraction, and cardiac output) at rest between the small heart and control groups. Nineteen cases (32%) had mitral valve prolapse (MVP) on echocardiography in the small heart group. Characteristic phonocardiographic findings were found in 11 cases with MVP (systolic click in four, mitral regurgitant murmur in three, and both in four).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

[Coronary sinus type atrial septal defect diagnosed by two-dimensional color Doppler echocardiography: a case report].

This is a case report of coronary sinus type atrial septal defect (ASD) diagnosed preoperatively by two-dimensional color Doppler echocardiography. A 22-year-old asymptomatic woman was admitted for preoperative cardiac evaluation. A cardiac murmur and cardiomegaly had been noted at a routine examination which included electrocardiography and chest radiography, and M-mode echocardiography suggested the presence of a secundum type ASD. Color Doppler echocardiography revealed a left to right atrial shunt flow through the coronary sinus ostium into the right atrium. By peripheral contrast echocardiography, a negative contrast echo from the coronary sinus ostium was observed within the right atrium and persistent left superior vena cava was excluded. At operation, a 2 X 3 cm defect was demonstrated at the interatrial septum in the vicinity of the coronary sinus ostium. This is the first reported case of a coronary sinus type ASD diagnosed preoperatively by color Doppler echocardiography.

Adult↗

[A new apparatus and stereotactic method for percutaneous high cervical cordotomy].

The authors devised a stereotactic apparatus for percutaneous cordotomy based on the experience of 191 percutaneous high cervical cordotomies on 150 patients suffering from intractable pain. This apparatus has two major components. One is a head and neck holder and the other is a guide and marker system. The head and neck holder contains fixed neck holder and head holder which can be movable in vertical direction. Using these holders, the operator can keep the patient's neck in neutral position. The marker system contains two markers of origin and a 10mm scale which indicates center line as well. The guide system, stereotactically designed, is movable in three direction and acrylic guide groove is attached. The guide needle for percutaneous cordotomy is inserted along the guide groove. The guide and marker system can be attached in both sides of the head and neck holder, therefore, the operator can insert the needle in both sides of the patient. This apparatus makes it possible to locate the target stereotactically for percutaneous cordotomy, since location of the inserted needle can be determined with the aid of cervical X-ray, even if there is no image intensifier of TV display screen available. Therefore it can be possible to reduce the X-ray exposure of the patient.

Cordotomy↗

[Evaluation of anticonvulsant-induced bone changes by a microdensitometric method].

The effect of long-term anticonvulsants on bone change was evaluated by microdensitometric method (MD method) in 221 outpatients of Neurological Institute Tokyo Women's Medical College. Laboratory findings including serum Ca, P, Al-p were compared with severity of bone change. Following results were obtained; In 221 patients, 159 cases (72%) were normal, 31 cases (14%) were in the initial stage of abnormality, 23 cases (10%) in grade I, 7 cases (3%) in grade II and one case (1%) in grade III of abnormality. Incidence of abnormality was high in the age of 26-35 years old and in the age over 56 years old. Total dose, serum concentration of diphenylhydantoin (DPH) as well as phenobarbital (PB) and also duration of administration of PB correlated positively with severity of bone change. Duration of administration of DPH and valproic acid (VPA), total dose and serum concentration of VPA did not correlate with severity of bone change. Serum Ca correlated with severity of bone change, but P and Al-p did not correlate with severity of bone change. Pattern of bone change was estimated by two parameters of MD method (MCI and GSmax). Results showed that most of the osteopathy (grade I-III by MD method) fell into osteoporotic type. Based on these results, it is suggested that roentgenologic and biochemical supervision of the patients is required during long-term anticonvulsant therapy.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

[Effects of local anesthetics on fetal heart rate patterns and neonatal neurobehavior].

Changes in FHR after local anesthetic administration were analyzed and the neonatal neurobehavioral status was evaluated by the use of Amiel-Tison's NACS (Neurologic and Adaptive Capacity Scoring System). The following results were obtained. After the epidural administration of 35 mg bupivacaine transient ominous FHR changes were noted in 12 out of 99 cases, two of which followed maternal hypotension and five followed uterine hyperactivity. Among 13 out of 43 paracervical blocks by 200mg lidocaine transient FHR changes were noted; "post PCB bradycardia"/late deceleration with decreasing variability was seen after 7 blocks and variable deceleration with increasing variability after 6 blocks. The plasma bupivacaine level of the umbilical vein was 154.4 +/- 24.5 ng/ml (UV/MV 0.26) and of the neonatal vein at the 4th day was 15.1 +/- 3.8 ng/ml (in 71% of cases there was a trace). The score of NACS tended to be lower 3-6 hrs. after birth, but at the 4th neonatal day no significant difference was noted between groups with and without regional analgesics. Although local anesthetics might cause some FHR changes in cases with low fetal reserve, clinical effects are minimal in cases of term AGA. However, particular care must be taken in such high risk cases as IUGR.

Anesthesia, Epidural↗

[An assessment of outcome prediction in patients with severe brain damage with auditory brainstem response and blink reflex].

Results of auditory brainstem response (ABR) and electrically elicited blink reflex (BR) recorded from 43 patients with severe brain damage within three days after the onset of illness were analyzed to assess the prognostic value of ABR and BR with respect to patient outcome evaluated by the criteria proposed by Jennett and Bond. It was possible to recognize, in recordings obtained from patients with severe brain damage, three basic patterns of BR as well as five patterns of ABR within three days after the onset. Three basic patterns of BR were composed of Type I, which closely approximated the BR of normal subjects except for moderately prolonged latency of R2, Type II, which indicated absence of bilateral R2 activities, and Type III, which showed absence of R1 as well as bilateral R2. ABRs were graded, in increasing order of abnormality, from Type I to Type V. Type I was almost normal pattern from wave I to wave V. Type II indicated prolonged latency or markedly reduced amplitude of waves IV and V. Type III showed absence of waves IV and V. Type IV had only wave I. Type V indicated absence of all waves. BR abnormalities significantly proved useful in predicting vital prognosis of the comatose patients with supratentorial lesion. In patients who had Type II of BR, additional studies of ABR enhanced the reliability of prediction of functional prognosis. On the other hand, ABR was recognized as stronger basis for predicting outcome in patients with infratentorial lesion. All patients with Type IV or Type V of ABR were expired within one month after the onset.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

[A case with postoperative calcified epidural hematoma].

In the literature, postoperative calcified epidural hematoma is not common. The authors report a case of calcified epidural hematoma after ventriculoperitoneal shunt, and radiotherapy for pinealoma. A 14-year-old boy was admitted to author's department on December 9, 1983, complaining of headache. He underwent a ventriculoperitoneal shunt on August 28, 1980 under the diagnosis of hydrocephalus caused by pinealoma. After the operation hydrocephalus improved. The patient had radiotherapy of 5090 rad. CT scan taken after the irradiation revealed reduction of the size of the tumor. On August 30, 1983, a ring calcification of epidural hematoma in the right parietal region was noticed on CT and plain skull X-rays. He was readmitted because of headache. There was no history of head injury. The calcified epidural hematoma was totally removed on December 12, 1983. The extirpated calcified epidural hematoma was 7.0 X 7.5 cm and 2.5 cm in thickness. Capsule formation was observed and ossification was also seen at dural side. No inflammatory finding was seen on histological examination. The postoperative course was uneventful. Etiology of calcified intracranial hematoma was discussed in relation to the present report, the relevant literature reviewed.

Adolescent↗

[Pulsed Doppler echocardiography and pharmacodynamic phonocardiography in the diagnosis of silent aortic regurgitation: a correlative study].

To determine the usefulness of pulsed Doppler echocardiography (PDE) in diagnosing aortic regurgitation (AR), the following two studies were performed. PDE and phonocardiography (PCG) were evaluated for the diagnosis of AR in 36 patients for whom angiography was performed. In 24 patients with grade 2 to 4 by Sellers' classification, all PDE studies were positive for AR (sensitivity of 100%) and PCG studies were positive in 21 patients (sensitivity of 88%). Among 10 patients of grade 1, PDE studies were positive for eight (sensitivity of 80%) and PCG studies were positive for seven (sensitivity of 70%). Angiography was negative for AR in two PCG-proven cases, and PDE also proved AR in one of these. Thus, in all patients, the sensitivity of PDE and PCG were 94 and 82%, respectively. These results indicate that AR may be missed during auscultation, or even when using the latest type PCG. The ability of detecting silent AR was studied in 160 consecutive patients with AR. PDE was positive for AR in 156 of 160 consecutive patients who were diagnosed as having AR by PDE or PCG. In the remaining four patients, three were diagnosed by PCG alone and one by pharmacodynamic phonocardiography using methoxamine (ME-PCG). On the other hand, in 137 of 160, Ar was proven by PCG, and the remaining 23 were so-called "silent AR". ME-PCG was performed for 11 cases of silent AR, but an unequivocal AR murmur was detected in only five. Therefore, the sensitivity of PDE in diagnosing silent AR was 96 percent, while that of ME-PCG was only 45 percent. Thus, compared to PCG and even pharmacodynamic PCG, PDE is a much more sensitive method of diagnosing AR. However, in mild AR cases, angiography, PDE and PCG, all have some limitations in diagnosing AR.

Adult↗

Microscopic carcinoma of the breast--report of a case.

Microscopic cancer is extremely rare even among "occult breast cancers". We treated a 70 year old woman with complaints of serosanguineous nipple discharge which yielded cytologically Class V cancer cells. Microdochectomy was performed and intraductal carcinoma was verified histologically in serially cut sections. Following a simple mastectomy, she has been well with no evidence of recurrence or metastasis, at this time.

Aged↗

Estrogen receptors in human breast cancer detected by the fluorescent estradiol histochemical and dextran coated charcoal techniques.

Surgical specimens from 60 Japanese women with breast cancer were studied histochemically to detect estrogen receptors (ER). Forty-six were analyzed in a double blind study designed to compare the histochemical method using fluorescent estradiol conjugate for detection of ER (FITC method) with findings in case of the currently employed dextran coated charcoal (DCC method) techniques. The ER test was positive in 39 (65 percent) of the 60 cases studied by FITC method. Of the 46 cases analysed in a double blind study, 41 (89.8 percent) showed the same results. Of the 5 with inconsistent test results, 2 showed positive DCC and negative FITC, and 3, negative DCC and positive FITC. According to the histologic type, the FITC method demonstrated a low positive ER response rate in scirrhous cases (57 per cent), whereas the positive rate was 67 percent among papillotubular-type cases and 65 percent among medullary tubular-type cases. In relation to menstrual status, the positive rates were 68 percent and 64 percent among premenopausal and postmenopausal women, respectively. However, in relation to tumor size, no difference was noted in the positive response rate by either method. Therefore, both the DCC and FITC methods are clinically useful to determine the indications for hormone therapy.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Chemical and ultrastructural differences in endotoxic glycolipids from Salmonella minnesota Re mutant extracted with various solvent systems.

Endotoxic glycolipids ( ReGl ) extracted from the whole cells (WC) and cell walls of heptose-less Re mutant of Salmonella minnesota with hot phenol-water (PW), phenol-chloroform-petroleum ether (PCP), and chloroform-methanol (CM) were analyzed chemically and examined with an electron microscope. ReGl -PW-(WC) contained mannose and proteins as contaminants, ReGl -PCP(WC) consisted of an excess amount of amino compound (cadaverine), and ReGl -PCP(WC) consisted of proteins and cadaverine, in addition to the ReGl constituents. The ultrastructure of ReGl -PW(WC) resembled onions when stained with uranyl formate, and was spherical when stained with uranyl acetate, sodium phosphotungstate and ammonium molybdate, whereas those of ReGl -PCP(WC) and ReGl -CM(WC) were shaped like ribbons. However, the shadowed ultrastructures of ReGl -PCP(WC) and ReGl -CM(WC) showed small pieces of flat and wide sheets, respectively. ReGl -PCP(WC) re-extracted by the PW method was found to be converted into the onion-like structure which was similar to that of ReGl -PW(WC), while an intermediate form (fingerprint-like) was observed after re-extraction of ReGl -PW(WC) with PCP. It was strongly suggested that the ultrastructural arrangement of ReGl was dependent on the solvent systems used for extraction.

Alkanes↗

Chemical and ultrastructural comparison of endotoxins extracted from Salmonella minnesota wild type and R mutants.

Endotoxic lipopolysaccharide and glycolipids ( RGl ) extracted from Salmonella minnesota wild type and R mutant cells ( chemotypes Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd1, and Rd2 ), respectively, with hot phenol-water (PW) and phenol-chloroform-petroleum ether (PCP) were analyzed chemically and electron microscopically. All RGl extracted with PW ( RGl -PW) contained excess amounts of phosphate, O-ester linked fatty acids and neutral sugars, while all RGl extracted with PCP ( RGl -PCP) contained excess amounts of free amino groups and fatty acids, in addition to the RGl constituents. Polyamine (cadaverine), phosphoethanolamine, and an unidentified amino compound were contained in RGl -PCP as free amino groups. When stained with uranyl formate, the ultrastructure of RGl -PW showed a spherical form (onion-like form), whereas the micrographs of RGl -PCP showed a filamentous structure, regardless of strain differences. On the other hand, the micrographs of RGl -PW represented spherical and doughnut-shaped forms, and the micrographs of RGl -PCP showed filamentous or stick forms, when stained with uranyl acetate. Thus, it is suggested that the ultrastructures of RGl were dominated by the solvent systems used for extraction, and not by the strains used here.

Alkanes↗

Electron microscopic studies of endotoxins treated with alkaline and acid reagents.

Endotoxins extracted from Salmonella minnesota wild strain and R mutants (Ra to Re) were treated with two different alkaline reagents. Treatment with diluted sodium hydroxide, which caused partial removal of O-ester linked fatty acids, changed the ultrastructures of endotoxins from an onion-like structure to monolayer particles (approximately 100 A in diameter) except for endotoxic glycolipids from Rd2 and Re mutants which showed mixed ultrastructures of untreated and treated endotoxins. Treatment with alkaline hydroxylamine, which caused liberation of all O-ester linked fatty acids, changed the ultrastructures of all endotoxins to monolayer particles. The results suggested that the ultrastructures of alkaline-treated endotoxins were dependent on the degree of their hydrophobicity. On the other hand, the micrographs of acid treated endotoxins did not show a constant structure because of the high hydrophobicity.

Acetates↗

Biochemical and immunological properties of Coxiella burnetii cell wall and peptidoglycan-protein complex fractions.

Coxiella burnetii morphological cell types were fractionated into large-cell variant cell walls, two fractions of small-cell variant cell walls, and one fraction of small-cell variant whole cells. Based on the contents of peptidoglycan (PG)-constituents and the yields of the sodium dodecyl sulfate-insoluble PG-protein complex (PG-PC) from cell walls, the fraction of large-cell variant cell walls contained significantly less PG than did the fraction of small-cell variant cell walls. The yields of PG-PC from the fractions of large-cell variant cell walls and small-cell variant cell walls were 2 and 32%, respectively. These results indicated that the PG of the large-cell variant cell walls may be partially digested by PG-lytic enzymes or incompletely synthesized, whereas the small-cell variant cell walls appeared to have intact PG. Proteins associated with PG-PC were resistant to proteolysis by trypsin, protease VI, and proteinase K. Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were detected in whole cells and cell walls but not in PG-PC, which contained a 3-deoxy-D-mannooctulosonic acid-like component that is also present in phase I lipopolysaccharide. Immunogenicity of the fractions was tested by measuring the temporal sequence of phase II and phase I antibody responses in vaccinated rabbits. Both phase II and phase I antibody responses were demonstrated with all fractions except the sodium dodecyl sulfate supernatant of the small-cell variant cell walls, whereas PG-PC elicited a pure phase II antibody response up to 29 days postvaccination. The immunogenicity of these fractions may reflect a quantitative difference in antigen concentration or may be due to a qualitative difference in phase II and I determinants.

Agglutination↗

Sensitivity of Coxiella burnetii peptidoglycan to lysozyme hydrolysis and correlation of sacculus rigidity with peptidoglycan-associated proteins.

The protease-resistant proteins associated with the peptidoglycan (PG) of the phase I small-cell variant Coxiella burnetii were either partially released from the PG by boiling the PG-protein complex (PG-PC) in sodium dodecyl sulfate containing 2-mercaptoethanol and EDTA or totally released by 1 N NaOH hydrolysis at 23 degrees C. An 18,300-dalton protein was released from the PG-PC under reducing conditions, whereas 1 N NaOH treatment extracted PG-associated proteins without apparent dissolution of the PG. Purified PG was composed of muramic acid, glucosamine, glutamic acid, alanine, and meso-diaminopimelic acid in a molar ratio of 0.9:0.9:1.0:1.4:1.0. Lysozyme hydrolysis of cell walls, PG-PC, and purified PG caused an increase in reducing groups which correlated with roughly 60 to 100% digestion of disaccharides. There was no significant decrease in turbidity during lysozyme hydrolysis of cell walls and PG-PC; however, hydrolysis of purified PG caused about 90% decrease in turbidity. Approximately 60% of the meso-diaminopimelic acid groups of PG were not susceptible to dinitrophenylation, thus, demonstrating an apparent contribution of PG-associated proteins, rather than cross-linkage between peptides, to sacculus rigidity of cell wall and PG-PC. This association of PG and protease-resistant covalently bound proteins may be important structural and functional determiners of resistance to both environmental conditions and intracellular digestion of C. burnetii by eucaryotic cells.

Amino Acids↗

Chemical and immunological characterization of lipopolysaccharides from phase I and phase II Coxiella burnetii.

Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) isolated from phase I and phase II Coxiella burnetii (LPS I and LPS II, respectively) were analyzed for chemical compositions, molecular heterogeneity by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and immunological properties. The yields of crude phenol-water extracts from phase I cells were roughly three to six times higher than those from phase II cells. Purification of LPSs by ultracentrifugation gave similar yields for both LPS I and LPS II. Purified LPS I and LPS II contained roughly 0.8 and 0.6% protein, respectively. The fatty acid constituents of the LPSs were different in composition and content, with branched-chain fatty acids representing about 15% of the total. beta-Hydroxymyristic acid was not detected in either LPS I or LPS II. A thiobarbituric acid-periodate-positive compound was evident in the LPSs; however, this component was not identified as 3-deoxy-D-mannooctulosonic acid by gas and paper chromatographies. LPS II contained D-mannose, D-glucose, D-glyceromannoheptose, glucosamine, ethanolamine, 3-deoxy-D-mannooctulosonic acid-like material, phosphate, and fatty acids. LPS I contained the unique disaccharide galactosaminuronyl glucosamine and nine unidentified components in addition to the components of LPS II. The hydrophobic, putative lipid A fraction of LPS I and LPS II contained the above constituents, but the hydrophilic fraction was devoid of ethanolamine. The LPS I disaccharide galactosaminuronyl glucosamine was found in both fractions of the acetic acid hydrolysates. Analysis of LPSs by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by silver staining indicated that LPS II was composed of only one band, whereas LPS I consisted of six or more bands with irregular spacing. Ouchterlony immunodiffusion tests demonstrated that LPS I reacted with phase I but not with phase II whole-cell hyperimmune antibody, and LPS II reacted neither with phase I nor phase II hyperimmune antibody. From these results, it was concluded that the chemical structures of LPSs from C. burnetii were different from those of the LPSs of gram-negative bacteria; however, the LPS structural variation in C. burnetii may be similar to the smooth-to-rough mutational variation of saccharide chain length in gram-negative bacteria.

Acetylation↗