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Biomedical subjects

K Asakura

Publications and source records attributed to K Asakura.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Definitive diagnosis and location of peanuts in the airways using magnetic resonance imaging techniques.

A 14-month-old boy suspected to have aspirated peanut fragments into the airways was transferred to our hospital. His chest radiographs revealed Holzknecht's sign, which indicated left mainstem bronchial obstruction. Magnetic resonance imaging with T1-weighted images clearly showed a high-intensity signal of peanut fragments in the left mainstem bronchus. Removal was performed by bronchoscopy in a shorter time under general anesthesia. Magnetic resonance imaging with T1-weighted images (T1WI) is useful for definitive diagnosis and location of peanut fragments in the lower airway because the peanut material appears as a high-intensity signal surrounded by the low-intensity lung tissue. Various slice orientations of T1WI provide accurate information concerning anatomic location of such fragments, thus facilitating removal by bronchoscopy.

Arachis↗
PubMed1994

Study on the IL-5 expression in allergic nasal mucosa.

An immunohistological study was performed on allergic and nonallergic nasal mucosa to examine interleukin-5 (IL-5) expression. Many cells in the superficial portion of lamina propria expressed IL-5 in allergic nasal mucosa, whereas few cells expressed IL-5 in nonallergic mucosa. Furthermore, it was suggested by immunohistological double staining that CD45RO-positive cells, EG2-positive cells and metachromasia-positive cells expressed IL-5 in allergic nasal mucosa.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1994

Study on the profiles of infiltrating T lymphocytes and ICAM-1 expression in allergic nasal mucosa.

An immunohistological study was performed on allergic (A) and non-allergic (NA) nasal mucosa to examine the profiles of infiltrating T-lymphocytes and their association with the expression of ICAM-1. Higher numbers of CD4 and CD45RO positive cells were detected in the A group than in the NA group, especially in the superficial portion of the lamina propria (SUP), whereas the number of CD8 positive cells was the same in the two groups. ICAM-1 was noted mainly on the vascular endothelium and on the infiltrating cells in the SUP, and there was no difference in the intensity of its expression between the A and NA groups. However, the infiltration of CD4 and CD45RO positive cells in the SUP and around the glands was significantly greater in patients with intense ICAM-1 expression in the A group. The infiltration of CD8 positive cells did not differ among the patient groups with different intensities of ICAM-1 expression in the A and NA groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Topical eosinophil responses after allergen challenge in patients with nasal allergy].

We performed a study of eosinophil migratory responses in nasal lavage fluid from patients with nasal allergy after allergen challenge. We also measured the concentration of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and histamine in nasal lavage fluid after the challenge. The concentrations of ECP and histamine in nasal lavage fluid increased after allergen challenge. The total number of cells, eosinophils and the ratio of EG2 positive eosinophils also increased after the challenge. These responses were enhanced in the group with severe symptoms. Furthermore, the ratio of EG2 positive eosinophils was increased even in the group with mild symptoms. In some cases, the concentration of ECP and the ratio of EG2 positive eosinophils increased again 6-8 hours after allergen challenge. Our results suggest a possible relation between the activation of eosinophils and the nasal symptoms of nasal allergy.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[In vivo effects of anti-cam antibody on OA sensitized rats].

To determine the role of cell adhesion molecules, we evaluated the in vivo effects of anti-intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) monoclonal antibody (1A29) and anti-leukocyte function associated molecule-1 (LFA-1) monoclonal antibody (WT-1) on ovalbumin (OA) sensitized rats. Both sneezing discharges and nasal rubbing movements after nasal OA challenge were significantly inhibited by these monoclonal antibody administrations (control vs treated group; 20.5 +/- 5.0 vs 7.0 +/- 2.9 times/minutes, p < 0.01 and and 56.8 +/- 7.1 vs 26.9 +/- 2.9 times/15 minutes, p < 0.01, for sneezing and rubbing, respectively). The number of eosinophils in nasal mucosa 24 hours after the challenge was also inhibited by the treatment (control vs treatment group; 108.8 +/- 27.3 vs 13.8 +/- 6.9 p < 0.01). These results suggest some pathophysiological roles of ICAM-1 and LFA-1 in nasal allergy.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

The effects of anti-PAF and other agents on the nasal symptoms in sensitized guinea pigs.

To define the role of platelet activating factor (PAF) in allergic rhinitis, we examined the effects of anti-PAF agents (WEB2086, SM10661) on the changes of nasal airway resistance (NAR) and nasal symptoms after topical antigen challenge in actively sensitized guinea pigs and compared these with the changes brought by anti-leukotriene (LT) agent (FPL 55712), 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor (E6080), anti-allergic agent (azelastine), and anti-histamine agent (mepyramine maleate). We noted biphasic increase in NAR after antigen challenge; the first peak, 146.3 +/- 4.3% at 10 min and the second peak, 163.3 +/- 7.8% at 240 min after antigen challenge. The first peak response of NAR was not affected by anti-PAF agents, anti-LT agent, 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, or azelastine; it was slightly but significantly inhibited by anti-histamine. The second NAR response was significantly inhibited by anti-PAF agents, anti-LT agent, 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, and azelastine, but was not affected by anti-histamine. The nasal symptoms which occurred within 30 min after antigen challenge were significantly inhibited by WEB2086, E6080, azelastine, and mepyramine, but were not affected by SM10661. Our results suggest that PAF activities and LTs may play an important role in the later phase increase of NAR after topical antigen challenge.

Airway Resistance↗
PubMed1993

Adult T-cell leukaemia-lymphoma in Waldeyer's ring: a report of three cases.

Adult T-cell leukaemia-lymphoma (ATLL) is a new type of T-cell malignancy which has an adult onset, a rapidly progressive terminal course and a clustering at patients' birthplaces in southeast Japan and the Caribbean. We report the clinical features of three cases of ATLL in Waldeyer's ring, which has been rarely reported in the literature. The patients complained of throat pain and lump in the neck. They received combination chemotherapy, but all died within a year of first noticing the symptoms.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

The role of platelet-activating factor on histamine hypersensitivity in nasal allergy in guinea pig models.

Using guinea pig models of nasal allergy, we investigated the role of PAF in mucosal hypersensitivity to topical histamine challenge. We found that the histamine sensitivity was significantly increased by nasal allergen challenge in actively sensitized guinea pigs, and the occurrence of histamine hypersensitivity was inhibited by pretreatment of anti-PAF agent (SM10661, 10 mg/kg, i.p.). Also, the histamine sensitivity was further increased by a single nasal challenge with PAF in actively sensitized guinea pigs. The histamine hypersensitivity was induced by repeated topical challenges with PAF in nonsensitized guinea pigs. Therefore, we believe that PAF plays an important role in hypersensitivity to histamine in nasal allergy.

Allergens↗
PubMed1993

Role of capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerve reflexes in guinea pig model of nasal allergy.

The aim of this study was to examine the pathophysiological role of capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves in an animal model of nasal allergy. In ovalbumin (OA)-sensitized guinea pigs, a significant increase in nasal total airway resistance (TAR) was noted for at least 180 min after topical antigen challenge. The TAR response to antigen challenge was significantly inhibited for 120 min by general capsaicin pretreatment (167 +/- 12.1 vs. 113 +/- 5.0%, p < 0.001, and 186 +/- 14.9 vs. 119 +/- 6.6%, p < 0.001, control vs. capsaicin pretreatment group at 20 and 90 min after challenge, respectively). However, TAR was significantly though slightly affected even after general capsaicin pretreatment. Following nasal capsaicin challenge, TAR increased for 90 min, and nasal secretion for 30 min. Both the TAR and secretory responses to nasal capsaicin challenge were significantly greater in OA-sensitized guinea pigs than in nonsensitized animals (171 +/- 12.1 vs. 137 +/- 7.4% at 30 min, p < 0.05, and 82.3 +/- 8.6 vs. 13.4 +/- 1.7 mg/10 min, p < 0.05, TAR and secretory response to 300 microM nasal capsaicin challenge, respectively). These results suggest that capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerve reflexes play an important role in the occurrence of early-phase nasal symptoms following topical antigen exposure and are accelerated in OA-sensitized guinea pigs.

Airway Resistance↗
PubMed1993

Research note: effect of tu-chung leaf (Eucommia ulmoides) on egg production performance, egg quality, and fat metabolism in laying hens at a late production stage.

The effects of tu-chung leaf (Eucommia ulmoides) supplementation on egg production performance, egg quality, and fat metabolism were investigated in laying hens at a late production stage. White Leghorn laying hens at 20 mo of age were provided ad libitum access to a practical diet with or without tu-chung leaf supplement for 3 mo. During the experimental period, egg production rate, egg weight, and feed intake were recorded every day. Egg samples from the last 3 days were collected to measure Haugh units and cholesterol concentration in the egg yolk. Plasma cholesterol concentration and abdominal fat weight were also determined. The results showed that no significant improvement in egg production was observed with tu-chung leaf addition. No significant effect of tu-chung was observed on Haugh units, plasma cholesterol, or egg yolk cholesterol, whereas abdominal fat weight was greater in hens fed the tu-chung diet than in those given the unsupplemented control diet. It was concluded that the beneficial effects of tu-chung leaf supplementation on egg production performance and egg quality were ambiguous and of little practical significance.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[Clinical study of children with nasal allergy].

Possible factors influencing nasal allergy in children were studied using a questionnaire and allergic examination including eosinophil count of nasal discharge, IgE RAST score to house dust and provocation test. We investigated three groups of children according to the results of allergic examinations. The negative group, the equivocal group and the definite group, respectively, consisted of 40, 49 and 107 children. We found the prediction value of definite group with eosinophil count of nasal discharge, IgE-RAST score and provocation test to house dust were respectively 77.0, 89.2 and 78.1%. Bottle feeding and history of asthma bronchiale occurred more frequently in the definite group. These observations provide epidemiologic and clinical bases for further investigations of children with nasal allergy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Role of surface tension lowering substances in the function of normal and diseased eustachian tubes of guinea pigs].

To examine the role of surface tension lowering substances (STLSs), we measured changes in passive opening pressure (OP) and closing pressure (CP) in eustachian tubes of guinea pigs before and after washing the tubes with various solutions (saline solution, artificial pulmonary surfactant, synthetic phospholipids, and detergent)). The percent decreases in OP and CP in tubes washed with artificial surfactant were significantly higher than those washed with saline solution. Those washed with synthetic phospholipids or detergent (Triton X-100) did not differ from those washed with saline solution. In guinea pigs with experimental otitis media produced by inoculation of formalin-killed Haemophilus influenzae into the middle ear cavity, the percent decreases in OP and CP in tubes washed with artificial pulmonary surfactant were significantly higher than in those washed with saline solution. Artificial pulmonary surfactant was injected into the middle ear cavity of the guinea pigs with otitis media. At 5 days after inoculation, the inflammatory changes of the middle ear were much milder in animals with intratemporal application of artificial pulmonary surfactant than in those with saline application. These results suggest the possible efficacy of treatment with artificial pulmonary surfactant for otitis media.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[A statistical analysis of sudden deafness].

The present study was carried out in order to determine factors which influenced the prognosis of sudden deafness and to try to predict the prognosis of sudden deafness, analyzed statistically by multivariate analysis. A total of 143 patients with sudden deafness diagnosed and treated at the department of otolaryngology, Ebetsu Municipal General Hospital and Obihiro Kohsei Hospital between 1986 and 1991, were selected for this study. Statistical analysis disclosed the following. 1. A good hearing level at the initial visit, a low-frequency hearing loss, the absence of vestibular symptoms and an initial visit within seven days after onset, indicate a good prognosis for sudden deafness. 2. Multivariate analysis showed that the hearing level at the initial visit most strongly influences sudden deafness, followed by the number of days from onset to initial visit, vestibular symptoms and the difference between low- and high-frequency hearing level, in that order. 3. Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed that the prognosis of sudden deafness can be predicted at a level of 78.3%, considering the above four factors. This facilitates treatment of patients with sudden deafness.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Hypersensitivity to apple pulp among patients with birch pollinosis in Hokkaido].

We evaluated the relationships between hypersensitivity to apple pulp and birch pollinosis in Hokkaido. 1. Seventeen (20%) of 83 patients with birch pollinosis (symptom and CAP positive) were revealed to be hypersensitive to apple pulp, which was a higher rate than that found in patients with other pollinoses. 2. Among the patients with birch pollinosis, the higher was the CAP score of birch pollen, the higher was the incidence of hypersensitivity to apple pulp.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Inhibitory effects of azelastine on nasal allergic responses in sensitized guinea pigs.

The in vivo effects of the antiallergic drug azelastine were investigated in sensitized guinea pigs. Topical administration of antigen into the nasal cavity produced an increase in nasal vascular permeability together with an increase in both the histamine and leukotriene C4 (LTC4) concentrations of nasal lavage fluid. Pre-treatment with azelastine significantly inhibited both the LTC4 release and the increase in nasal vascular permeability. These results suggest that azelastine inhibits the release of antigen-induced leukotrienes and increases nasal vascular permeability in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Influence of dietary protein concentrations or of duodenal amino acid infusion on cholecystokinin release in goats.

1. Whether dietary protein levels or duodenal infusion of amino acids alters the release of cholecystokinin (CCK) in blood plasma of goats was investigated in three experiments. The CCK determination was done by radioimmunoassay with specific CCK-8 antibody. The male adult Shiba goat, a miniature Japanese native goat, was used. 2. In Experiment 1, four goats were offered a diet containing 4.94 g crude protein (CP)/kg BW0.75 for the first 7 days. They were then given a diet containing 5.86 g CP/kg BW0.75 for 7 days and thereafter 6.79 g CP/kg BW0.75 for the following 7 days. On the last day of each experimental period, blood samples were taken from the jugular vein at zero (before feeding), 30, 60, 120, 240 or 360 min after the feeding of the diet. Plasma CCK levels were not affected by dietary protein levels and time after feeding. 3. Influence of phenylalanine or tryptophan (2 mmol/20 ml) infusion into the duodenum was investigated by a 3 x 3 latin square in Experiment 2. Plasma CCK level was determined at 15 min intervals for 1 hr. Both phenylalanine and tryptophan gradually enhanced plasma CCK concentrations with time after infusion. 4. Branched-chain amino acids such as leucine and isoleucine were supplemented intraduodenally in Experiment 3 as in Experiment 2. No significant change in plasma CCK levels was observed.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1992

Effect of gamma-linolenic acid on lipid metabolism in laying hens.

1. Single comb white leghorn laying hens were given diets with additional mould, Mucus circineloides, containing gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) at levels of 0, 2.59 and 5.06 g GLA/kg diet ad lib. for 2 weeks and serum lipid contents were determined in experiment 1. 2. Serum low density lipoprotein and chylomicron levels were significantly reduced with the increase of dietary GLA levels. Serum triglyceride and cholesterol tended to be lowered by dietary GLA, but not significantly different. 3. Effects of mould GLA and extracted oil GLA on the egg yolk cholesterol concentration and fatty acid composition were compared in experiment 2. Both mould GLA and extracted oil GLA diets containing 5.32 and 4.71 g GLA/kg diet were given ad lib. for 2 weeks. 4. Yolk cholesterol content was not affected by dietary GLA sources. Content of GLA in the yolk was not altered, although that of arachidonic acid was enhanced by dietary GLA supplementation, particularly by the extracted oil GLA. 5. It is suggested that GLA is rapidly metabolized to arachidonic acid in the body and incorporated into the yolk.

Animals↗