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Biomedical subjects

K Asakura

Publications and source records attributed to K Asakura.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Case report: nephrotic syndrome associated with a total hydatidiform mole.

The authors describe a 51-year-old Japanese woman who developed nephrotic syndrome in association with a total hydatidiform mole. The nephrotic syndrome remitted completely following hysterectomy. A renal biopsy performed before the operation showed diffuse mesangial cell proliferation of a moderate degree, and thickened capillary walls with focal and segmental subendothelial deposits, as well as circumferential mesangial interposition. Occasional foci of the mesangiolysis were also observed. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed granular staining of IgM along the glomerular capillary walls in a fringe pattern. A review of the literature revealed that this patient appears to be the first case of nephrotic syndrome associated with a total mole, although there have been two cases of nephrotic syndrome due to preeclamptic nephropathy associated with a partial or transitional mole.

Female↗

In vitro oxygenation injury to slices prepared from ischemic kidney in rats.

When cortical slices prepared from rat kidneys made ischemic were incubated under a 100% oxygen atmosphere, lipid peroxidation increased and the ATP level decreased. Such oxygenation of the slices was accompanied by decreases in gluconeogenesis and the glutathione level, but an antioxidant, N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine, prevented the increase in lipid peroxidation without affecting decreases in ATP and glutathione levels, and gluconeogenesis. The results suggest that postischemic oxygenation of slices generates free radicals that cause the production of lipid peroxidation not associated with tissue injury.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Goodpasture's syndrome: a report of an autopsy case and a review of Japanese cases.

A 75-yr-old man was admitted because of acute renal failure. On the 9th hospital day, pulmonary hemorrhage occurred. He was treated with a bolus dose of methylprednisolone and plasma exchange, but died from respiratory failure on the 16th hospital day. Autopsy findings demonstrated marked intraalveolar hemorrhage and crescentic glomerulonephritis. Linear depositions of IgG along both alveolar and glomerular basement membranes (GBM) were shown by direct immunofluorescent studies. Circulating anti-GBM antibodies were demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescent techniques. This is a confirmatory case of Goodpasture's syndrome, which is rare in Japan. A review of the Japanese literature revealed some characteristics of Japanese cases.

Aged↗

Acute renal failure following hypokalemic rhabdomyolysis due to chronic glycyrrhizic acid administration.

A 72-year-old man developed acute renal failure (ARF) following severe hypokalemic rhabdomyolysis. The hypokalemia was due to chronic glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic acid) administration. Although glycyrrhizin-induced hypokalemic rhabdomyolysis has been occasionally reported, the association of this type of rhabdomyolysis with ARF has not been described. In the present case, there was a sensitivity to glycyrrhizin the preceding renal insufficiency, and dehydration which was thought to have contributed to ARF. It should be recognized that elderly patients with such predisposing factors may be susceptible to a rapid deterioration of renal function after glycyrrhizin-induced hypokalemic rhabdomyolysis.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Study on the dye leakage response of nasal mucosa following topical, capsaicin challenge in guinea pigs.

We examined the serial changes of intravenously applied dye leakage and preliminary examined histamine release into nasal lavage fluid after topical stimulation with capsaicin in guinea pigs. A significant increase in the dye leakage response was detected for 30-40 min, with the maximum response occurring between 5 and 10 min after topical capsaicin stimulation. The dye leakage response to nasal capsaicin challenge was abolished by pretreatment with topical lidocaine, general substance P analogue, topical or general high dosage capsaicin. The dye leakage response to topical capsaicin challenge was significantly reduced following pretreatment with antihistamine, diphenhydramine or atropine sulfate, although it was not affected by pretreatment with an anti-leukotriene, FPL 55712. Topical methacholine challenge did not induce a dye leakage response. An increase in the concentration of histamine in the nasal lavage fluid was noted at 5 min after topical capsaicin challenge. The concentrations of released histamine tended to be positively correlated with those of leaked dye in the nasal lavage fluids. The histamine release induced by topical stimulation with capsaicin tended to be reduced following general and topical pretreatments with high dosage of capsaicin, and was almost completely abolished following atropine pretreatment. From this study it was concluded that nasal capsaicin stimulation can reflexively induce an intravenously applied dye leakage into the nasal cavity, and that C-fiber related cholinergic nerve reflex and histamine release might, at least partially, be related to this response.

Administration, Intranasal↗

[T-cell subsets and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in human allergic nasal mucosa].

We performed an immunohistological study of T-cell subsets and intercellular adhesion molecules in allergic and non-allergic nasal mucosa. In allergic mucosa, the number of CD4 positive cells tended to dominate that of CD8 positive cells. CD8 positive cells were detected randomly in all regions of the mucosa, whereas CD4 positive cells tended to be clustered in the superficial portion of the lamina propria. Furthermore, the number of CD4 positive cells correlated with the intensity of ICAM-1 expression, especially in the superficial portion of the lamina propria.

Adult↗

[Effects of anti-PAF agents on nasal response after allergen challenge in guinea pigs].

We previously reported that Platelet-activating factor (PAF) activities were detected in nasal lavage fluids from patients with allergic rhinitis and in ovalbumin (OA) sensitized guinea pigs after topical allergen challenge. In guinea pigs, a topical application of PAF produced an increase in nasal vascular permeability which was inhibited by a PAF-antagonist (CV3988). To define the role of PAF in allergic rhinitis, we examined the effects of anti-PAF agents (WEB2086) and anti-allergic agents (Azelastine) on nasal airway resistance (NAR) and nasal symptoms in actively sensitized guinea pigs. Guinea pigs (200-300g) were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of OA (10 micrograms/kg) and alum (5mg/kg) three times at two week intervals and repeated inhalation of OA (1mg/min., for 3 minutes) everyday for four weeks. The NAR was measured serially for 6 hours by an apparatus using the oscillation method. NAR change was expressed as a percent ratio to the pre-challenge value. Nasal symptoms were evaluated by counting the number of sneezing discharges and scratching movements for 30 minutes. The anti-PAF agent or Azelastine were administered orally at 2-3 hours before the topical allergen challenge. We noted a biphasic increase in NAR after allergen challenge. The increase in NAR during early phase was not affected but that during late phase was significantly inhibited by the anti-PAF agent and Azelastine. The nasal symptoms were inhibited by WEB2086 and Azelastine. Our results suggest that PAF activities might play an important role in late phase NAR increase following allergen challenge.

Airway Resistance↗

The roles of histamine, leukotriene C4 and bradykinin on nasal vascular permeability in experimental nasal allergy of guinea pigs.

The releases of histamine, leukotriene C4 (LTC4) and bradykinin into the nasal cavity were measured following nasal antigenic challenge in ovalbumin (OA) sensitized guinea pigs, or following nasal stimulation with one of these chemical mediators in OA-non-sensitized animals. In sensitized animals, increased vascular permeability of nasal mucosa was recognized immediately after antigenic stimulation and lasted for 90 minutes. The release of histamine into the nasal lavage fluid was observed only immediately after the antigenic stimulation. The releases of LTC4 and kinins into the nasal lavage fluid were augmented not only immediately after the antigenic challenge, but also 60 to 90 minutes after the stimulation. Nasal stimulation with one of these chemical mediators also increased nasal vascular permeability, but lasted for less than 40 minutes. These results suggest that the antigen-induced release of these chemical mediators might play some important roles in early increase of nasal vascular permeability, and that the increase of LTC4 and kinin levels might be involved in the prolonged nasal vascular permeability after nasal allergic response.

Animals↗

[Renal cell carcinoma metastasizing to choroid plexus of lateral ventricle; a case report].

A rare case of renal cell carcinoma metastasizing to the choroid plexus of the lateral ventricle is reported. A 59-year-old woman was admitted to our institution on November 26, 1987 complaining of left-half headache for one month. She had a past history of right nephrectomy due to renal cell carcinoma 4 years before admission, and of right radical mastectomy due to breast cancer 10 years before admission. She had no abnormal neurological findings and laboratory results were normal. CT scan revealed a well-circumscribed, apparently homogeneously enhancing mass in the left lateral ventricle with mild ventricular dilatation. Left vertebral angiogram showed a tumor stain fed by the left posterior choroidal artery. The most likely diagnosis was thought to be metastasis of renal cell carcinoma. The patient underwent the operation for tumor removal via the posterior interhemispheric transcallosal approach 14 days after admission. A histological examination of the tumor determined the diagnosis of clear-cell type renal cell carcinoma. The operation was uneventful and the patient was discharged 20 days after operation without neurological deficit. But she had recent-memory disturbance, low activity, and gait disturbance in May 1989. CT scan revealed ventricular dilatation and tumor recurrence at the same site. She also suffered from diabetes due to the regrowth and invasion of primary tumor to the pancreas. She was discharged free of neurological defects after ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. In December 1989, she gradually deteriorated due to the regrowth of the intraventricular metastatic lesion, and now she is bedridden. Choroid plexus metastasis is quite rare, and, to our knowledge, only three cases have been described.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗

Lipogenesis depending on sexual maturity in female Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

1. Lipid biosynthesis in the liver as well as transport into the follicles in Japanese quail were investigated depending on sexual maturity at 5, 7, 9 and 11 weeks of age. Lipogenesis of the liver and incorporation of lipid into the follicles were determined by administering [1-14C]sodium acetate. 2. Body weight increased up to 9 weeks of age, whereas the weight of the liver and follicle did not alter after 7 weeks of age. 3. Fatty acid synthesis in the liver was at its highest at 7 weeks of age. Incorporation of 14C into non-saponifiable lipid and glyceride-glycerol fractions in the liver was not influenced by aging. 4. The labelled fatty acids in the follicle increased linearly as the birds became sexually mature.

Acetates↗

Vascularized omentum graft for the reconstruction of the skull base after removal of a nasoethmoidal tumor with intracranial extension: case report.

A 16-year-old boy with rhabdomyosarcoma occupying the nasal cavities and the ethmoid sinus with intracranial extension underwent transcranial surgery. The intradural tumor was resected first with the affected dura of the anterior skull base, and the dural defect was repaired with fascia harvested from the sheath of the rectus abdominis muscle. The remaining tumor contiguous to the nasal cavities was completely extirpated. The cranial cavity was then exposed to the opened nasal cavities, where a revascularized omental graft was used to separate these compartments. Lyophilized dura was placed beforehand beneath the omental graft, as a roof to the nasal cavity, and was removed 3 weeks later through the nostril. A bony skull base repair was performed over the omentum using the inner table of the bone flap. Subcutaneous fat from the abdomen was placed on the bone graft for fixation and as an additional seal for the dural defect. Reconstruction of the anterior skull base with a vascularized omental transfer provides an efficient barrier to the nasal cavity. It also serves as an excellent supporting structure for regeneration of the mucosal epithelium of the nasal cavities.

Adolescent↗

Electrophoretic karyotypes of clinically isolated yeasts of Candida albicans and C. glabrata.

One-hundred-and-four isolates of yeast were collected from the vaginas of 97 outpatients. The isolates were identified by their characteristics in a carbohydrate assimilation test, a serological test and from their morphology. Candida albicans and Candida glabrata were the major isolates (75% and 20%, respectively). The karyotypes of the isolates were analysed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and almost all the karyotypes were distinguishable from one another when the band mobilities were carefully compared. Characteristics and karyotypes were not directly correlated, but seven C. albicans isolates (from six patients) had a common atypical karyotype and shared the same phenotype. These isolates are inferred to be generated by a wide genomic reorganization and mutation and the phenotypic changes may be advantageous for survival. The karyotypes of the isolates recovered from individual patients after intervals of 1-6 months were all identical except for one or two highly variable bands which were identified with an rDNA probe. This suggests that the variable bands are too variable to be useful for distinguishing strains, but from the patterns of the identical bands (i.e. except for the variable bands) we concluded that strains from individual patients do not change, at least over short periods. This, coupled with the extensive inter-isolate variability in karyotype, will be useful for Candida source determination and epidemiological studies.

Candida↗

[The study of chemical mediators in the patients with allergic rhinitis 2). Histamine, leukotriene and kinins in the nasal secretion during dual phase response].

In order to clarify the details of a late phase response (LPR) in allergic rhinitis, serial changes of nasal symptoms and concentration of chemical mediators (histamine, leukotriene (LT) C4 and kinins) in nasal lavage fluid were investigated after the nasal antigen challenge in ten patients with perennial allergic rhinitis with a positive intradermal skin reaction to mite extract. Samples were collected periodically for 8 hours following the challenge. Nasal airway resistance (NAR) and clinical symptoms were also recorded serially. Three out of ten patients showed only early phase response (EPR) and the other seven patients showed both early and late phase response after the challenge. The chief nasal symptom in LPR was nasal obstruction. In EPR, concentrations of chemical mediators in the nasal lavage fluid always increased. In dual (early and late) phase responders, increases of chemical mediators in nasal lavage fluids were notable during both early and late phase responses. In EPR, there was a significant correlation between severity of sneezing attack and concentration of histamine. In LPR, increase of LTC4 level was significantly correlated with the increase of NAR. RAST score and daily nasal symptoms tended to be higher and more sever in dual phase responders compared with early phase responders. We suggest that the amounts of released chemical mediators during allergic reaction denoted the LPR in allergic rhinitis patients.

Adult↗

[A study of chemical mediators in patients with allergic rhinitis. 3). Release of histamine and leukotrienes from in vitro nasal mucosa].

Responses to mite antigen and nonimmunological stimuli, substance P, of chopped fragments of nasal mucosae were studied from eleven patients with perennial allergic rhinitis who were sensitive to mite antigen. Amount of released histamine significantly increased by either stimulation. However, the release of leukotrienes (LTs) increased only by the stimulation of mite antigen, which correlated with that of histamine. By either stimulation, amount of histamine release tended to be higher in patients with severe nasal symptoms than in those with moderate nasal symptoms. Only by mite antigen stimulation, amount of the release of peptide LTs and LTB4 tended to be higher in patients with severe nasal symptoms. We concluded that the amounts of histamine and LTs released from nasal mucosa in allergic reaction were closely related with the severity of nasal symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis.

Adolescent↗

Evaluation of the effects of antigen specific immunotherapy on chronic sinusitis in children with allergy.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical significance of allergy in children with chronic sinusitis. After allergic examinations, 52 sinusitis children were divided into allergic and non-allergic groups: 37 allergic children were treated with either the combination of antigen specific immunotherapy and medication with lysozyme chloride preparation (AI group, n = 20) or medication alone (AM group, n = 17); 15 non-allergic patients were also treated with lysozyme chloride preparation (NAM group). The treatment results including the radiographic improvements were significantly better in the AI group than in the AM or NAM group. The clinical effects of lysozyme chloride preparation tended to be better in the NAM group than in the AM group.

Allergens↗

Specular microscopic observation of posterior corneal vesicles.

Specular microscopic investigation was conducted on 5 cases with the diagnosis compatible with posterior corneal vesicles. Endothelial cells were considerably enlarged with a more or less indistinct margin. Deposits onto endothelial cells were occasionally seen. The results of specular microscopy suggest that posterior corneal vesicles be classified as a nonfamilial, unilateral variant of posterior polymorphous dystrophy of the cornea.

Adolescent↗