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Biomedical subjects

K Azuma

Publications and source records attributed to K Azuma.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

[Catheter intervention to venous system using expandable metallic stents].

Superior vena cava syndrome mainly associated with malignant tumors, is usually resistant to any therapy. Although mechanical dilation of narrowed lumen is ideal for relief of symptoms, conventional balloon angioplasty has not been effective method. Surgical intervention is not a good choice in patients with advanced malignant tumors. Recently developed expandable metallic stents have been adopted to superior vena cava syndrome with good results. In this article, characteristics of expandable metallic stents is reviewed, and our experience of expandable metallic stents (Gianturco stent and Wallstent) in venous system is indicated. In addition, percutaneous insertion of inferior vena cava filter (Greenfield filter) is also mentioned.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Is the luteo-placental shift a myth? Analysis of low progesterone levels in successful art pregnancies.

Progesterone (P4) is considered vital to the maintenance of human pregnancy, but the minimal concentration of P4 necessary to sustain human pregnancy remains unclear. The aim of this study was to examine endocrine profiles for serum P4, 17 beta-estradiol (E2), and human (h) beta-CG in early pregnancy from a group of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) patients. These subjects delivered normally but had P4 concentrations below the fifth percentile of the normal singleton pregnancy range from 2 weeks after ART. Normal ranges of these hormones were determined from 118 consecutive ART pregnancies which resulted in singleton births. Values below the fifth percentile (P4 < 35.9 nmol/L at 4 weeks gestation) were considered abnormal. Eight patients who subsequently delivered normally, with serum P4 values below this criterion at 4 weeks gestation, were found. They had serum P4 values at 4 weeks gestation ranging from 1.9-29.9 nmol/L, and their mean P4 values at 5 weeks (30.2 +/- 9.2 nmol/L; mean +/- SE) and 6 weeks gestation (48.0 +/- 10.2 nmol/L) remained below the fifth percentile. No statistically significant increase in serum P4 concentrations occurred between 7 and 11 weeks gestation in these women. Their mean E2 value in serum at 4 weeks gestation (382 +/- 73 pmol/L) was also below the fifth percentile but their mean beta-hCG concentration was within the normal range. We conclude that successful human pregnancy is possible with serum P4 values within the anovulatory range in early gestation and that, in individual patients, serum P4 concentration of 2 nmol/L can be sufficient to maintain human pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Coronary revascularization using profound hypothermia with elective ventricular fibrillation and total circulatory arrest].

Profound hypothermia with elective ventricular fibrillation and total circulatory arrest was used in a patient undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with severe calcification of the ascending aorta. A 76-year-old woman with unstable angina was referred for coronary revascularization. Ascending aorta was severely calcified with the exception of limited region of proximal ascending aorta, and the coronary arteriography showed high-grade obstruction of the left anterior descending (LAD) and dominant right coronary artery (RCA). The left internal thoracic artery was anastomosed to the LAD, and the saphenous vein graft to the RCA under systemic moderate hypothermia and elective ventricular fibrillation. During the proximal anastomosis of the saphenous vein graft to the non-calcified ascending aorta, profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest was instituted for 11 minutes. The wean from extracorporeal circulation was successful, and the postoperative course was uneventful.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

[Assessment of left ventricular contraction with LV Emax during cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with open heart surgery].

There are few reports on the assessment of left ventricular contraction during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in open heart surgery. LV Emax is thought to be a load-independent index of left ventricular function. We used a left ventricular conductance catheter to measure LV Emax from "non-working beating heart" during CPB in 16 patients who underwent open heart surgery. During CPB, at 45 minutes after aortic declamping, changes of heart rate with atrial pacing (120/min) did not change LV Emax, but after intravenous dobutamine administration (DOB, 10 micrograms/kg/min) LV Emax increased by 26% (p < 0.01). DOB increased LV Emax in 14 of 16 patients during CPB. These 14 patients were weaned from CPB without difficulty. But in 2 other patients DOB didn't increase LV Emax during CPB. In order to be weaned from CPB, the two patients needed epinephrine and intraaortic balloon pumping. We concluded that change of LV Emax made by intravenous administration of dobutamine is one of useful indexes to assess left ventricular contractility during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Cardiopulmonary Bypass↗
PubMed1992

[A case of primary acinic cell tumor of the trachea].

A 62-year-old woman complained cough and hemosputum. Chest X-ray film and thoracic computed tomography revealed tumor shadow, localizing in the upper trachea, measuring 2 x 1 cm. Through a median sternotomy, resection of the trachea of 4 cartilagous rings was made, followed by end-to-end anastomosis. Fixing of tracheal anastomosis was performed for 2 weeks using SOMI brace. The size of tumor was 1.3 cm in diameter. Histologically, nodular tumor foci were seen close to the normal trachea gland, localing in tracheal mucosa. Tumor cells with basophilic cytoplasma developed acinical structure. Postoperative course was uneventful. This patient is alive 42 months after resection. This disease is extremely rare, we have found only 4 reported cases including our case in the world literature and only 2 cases in the Japanese literature.

Female↗
PubMed1992

[A case of thymoma with thymic cyst].

A 43-year-old man was pointed out an abnormal shadow on chest X-ray film. Chest CT showed a solid mass and a cyst at anterior superior mediastinum. Operation revealed a capsulated thymoma and a multilocular thymic cyst. PTH and CA19-9 level in the cystic fluid was elevated. Histological examination demonstrated the clear separation of the mixed type thymoma and the thymic cyst. There were few reports for cases of thymoma with a thymic cyst.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Effects of steroid therapy in IgA nephropathy].

In order to estimate the effects of corticosteroid therapy in IgA nephropathy cases with daily urinary protein excretion of 1.0 g/day or more. 26 patients (8 men and 18 women, aged 32.6 +/- 14.0 years old) were subjected to this study. The results obtained were as follows: Urinary protein excretion after 1 year from the beginning of steroid therapy (1.56 +/- 1.14 g/day) was significantly (p less than 0.05) lower than that at the beginning of the therapy (4.61 +/- 6.01 g/day). In serum creatinine levels, there was no statistically significant difference with them between at the beginning (1.15 +/- 0.48 mg/dl) of steroid therapy and at the time of 1 year after (1.05 +/- 0.34 mg/dl) the therapy. As for the outcome at the end of this study setting (mean follow-up duration: 3.7 +/- 2.6 years), complete remission was attained in 7 cases, improvement in 5 cases, unchanged condition in 11 cases, increased urinary protein excretion in 2 cases and aggravated renal function in 1 case. In clinical findings at the renal biopsy, duration of the disease (3.4 +/- 1.6 months) in complete remission cases before biopsy was significantly (p less than 0.01) shorter than that in unchanged cases (65.0 +/- 40.0 months). In histological findings, rate of global sclerosing glomeruli (2.6 +/- 4.6%) in complete remission cases was significantly (p less than 0.05) lower than that (24.6 +/- 23.1%) in unchanged cases. These results suggest that steroid therapy in IgA nephropathy with persistent proteinuria of 1.0 g/day or more is beneficial, especially in cases that are in early stage of the disease with lower rate of global sclerosing glomeruli.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Preservation of the heart with University of Wisconsin solution--hemodynamic and morphological evaluation in a canine heterotopically transplanted heart].

University of Wisconsin (UW) solution has been reported to extend the safe cold ischemic time in the preservation of the liver, kidney and pancreas. However, there have been few reports of safe cold ischemic time in heart preservation with UW solution. The purpose of this study was to find whether UW solution can extend the safe cold ischemic time in cardiac transplantation in dogs. Heterotopic cardiac transplantation was performed in mongrel dogs after cold ischemic preservation of the hearts with UW solution, ischemic time 8, 16 and 24 hours (Gr.UW8, Gr.UW16 and Gr.UW24, respectively) and with GIK solution, ischemic time 4 hours (Gr.G4) which is considered the safe cold ischemic time in clinical cardiac transplantation. The following was studied: 1) Emax of the LV, myocardial contraction, by pressure-volume curve with the volume measured conductance catheter method, 2) myocardial tissue blood flow of the LV (MTBF), with laser doppler tissue flow meter, 3) serum CPK and electron microscopical evaluation. Emax and MTBF were measured before transplantation and after reperfusion. Their results were expressed as percentage of the values before transplantation. As results, after 120 minutes from reperfusion, Emax was recovered to 94 +/- 13% in Gr.G4, 104 +/- 11% in Gr.UW8, 67 +/- 22% in Gr.UW16 and 66 +/- 16% in Gr.UW24. Emax in Gr.G4 and Gr.UW8 were significantly (p less than 0.01) higher than that in Gr.UW16 and Gr.UW24. After 120 minutes from reperfusion, MTBF was recovered to 90 +/- 19% in Gr.G4, 98 +/- 9% in Gr.UW8, 63 +/- 19% in Gr.UW16 and 61 +/- 6% in Gr.UW24.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine↗
PubMed1991

[Alteration ratio of lung field CT numbers of full inspiration to end expiration scans in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases].

The alteration ratio of lung field CT numbers in different respiratory phases was studied in 52 patients with chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD) and 20 subjects with normal lung. The 52 patients with COPD consisted of 30 with clinically diagnosed chronic pulmonary emphysema (CPE), 15 with suspected CPE (sCPE) and seven with bronchial asthma (BA). The 20 subjects with normal lung were divided into two groups according to age. CT images were obtained in each case under different respiratory conditions, i.e., full inspiration and end expiration. The following parameters were employed for numerical evaluation: %(I-E)Apex = (MLDApexI-MLDApexE/MLDApexE x 100 %(I-E)Mid = (MLDMidI-MLDMidE)/MLDMidE x 100 %(I-E)Base = (MLDBaseI-MLDBaseE)/MLDBaseE x 100 %(I-E)Whole = (MLDWholeI-MLDWholeE)/MLDWholeE x 100 where MLD is mean lung density and the letters I and E stand for full inspiration and end expiration, respectively. The small letters Apex, Mid, Base and Whole stand for apex cut, mid-thorax cut, base cut and whole lung, respectively. The values of %(I-E)Whole were significantly different between disease groups except for those between the sCPE and BA groups. The values of %(I-E)Whole showed a good positive correlation with FEV1.0% (r = 0.79) and V25/H (r = 0.80) and a good negative correlation RV/TLC (r = -0.75). Diagnostic differentiation of COPDs by %(I-E)Whole values identified 80% of CPE cases and 91% of normal lung cases. In the sCPE group, the values of %DLco in patients with %(I-E)Whole above 9% were smaller than those in patients with %(I-E)Whole under 9%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Analysis of pyrophillitosis by high-resolution computed tomography].

High-resolution computed tomography (HR-CT) was performed on 20 patients with pyrophilitosis. Small nodular opacities in these patients could be divided by HR-CT into two types, namely, tiny irregular branching structures (TIB) and small round opacities (SRO). TIB had a centrilobular distribution and were characteristic of pyrophillitosis. SRO had both centrilobular and perilobular distributions and were considered to be changes modified by the aspiration of silica. Large opacities (LO) of pyrophillitosis were classified into three types, that is, spherical type, flat type parallel to the bronchus and flat type parallel to the thoracic wall. The spherical type was seen in patients exposed to both pyrophillite and silica, while the flat types were seen in patients exposed to only pyrophillite and were characteristic opacities of pyrophillitosis. Pulmonary emphysema was found in only one patient with pyrophillitosis, whereas mediastinal lymph node swelling and calcification were seen in most patients with pyrophillitosis. HR-CT is useful in making a more accurate evaluation of these lesions.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

[Evaluation of hepatic tumors by contrast ultrasonography with carbon dioxide].

For evaluating hepatic tumors, ultrasonograms using carbon dioxide by arterial injection (CO2US) was performed in 37 patients, including 28 hepatocellular carcinomas, 11 hepatic metastases, and 3 hepatic hemangiomas. Hepatic tumors were enhanced by CO2US and easily identified. CO2US of hepatic tumors were classified into six patients. Generally, on CO2US hepatocellular carcinomas were well enhanced, and hepatic metastases had ring-like enhancement. Hepatic hemangiomas showed peripheral patchy enhancement. In the patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, the primary tumors were better identified on CO2US than conventional sonography. The daughter nodules with hepatocellular carcinoma were also better demonstrated than other examinations. CO2US is helpful in evaluating and differentiating hepatic tumors.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Purification and characterization of a rat liver membrane tyrosine-protein kinase, the possible protooncogene c-yes product, p60c-yes.

A tyrosine-protein kinase was purified more than 270-fold from the rat liver plasma membrane fraction by successive column chromatographies on Sephacryl S-300, wheat germ agglutinin-agarose, casein-Sepharose, and hydroxylapatite, followed by isoelectrofocusing electrophoresis. The enzyme with pI of 6.2 was a 60-kDa single polypeptide which represented 42% of total protein. The enzyme reacted quantitatively with a monoclonal antibody to the amino-terminal sequence (Cys-3 to Ser-66) specific to the human c-yes protein, but not with antibodies to the specific amino-terminal sequences of the c-src, fyn, and lck proteins. The purified enzyme contained almost no phosphotyrosine residue but was autophosphorylated with Mg.ATP exclusively at tyrosine residues with concomitant increase in the kinase activity. The rates of autophosphorylation of the enzyme and phosphorylation of tyrosine-glutamate (1:4) copolymers, catalyzed by the enzyme were proportional to the square of enzyme concentration, suggesting that p60c-yes undergoes autophosphorylation through intermolecular catalysis, resulting in stimulation of the enzyme activity. Although the enzyme reaction showed an essential requirement for Mg2+ or Mn2+ with optimal concentrations of 20 and 3 mM, respectively, autophosphorylation significantly activated the enzyme only in the presence of Mg2+. Autophosphorylation of the enzyme reduced the Km for tyrosine-glutamate copolymers and tubulin, but not for ATP, and increased the Vmax of copolymer and tubulin phosphorylation.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Cerebellar hypoplasia associated with Arnold-Chiari malformation in a Japanese shorthorn calf.

A case of Arnold-Chiari malformation associated with severe cerebellar hypoplasia in a Japanese Shorthorn calf is reported. Histological examination revealed severe and extensive lesions in the cerebellar vermis. Hypoplasia of the cerebellum in Arnold-Chiari malformation appeared to indicate the abnormal embryonic development of the neural tissue, but the exact cause is not known.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Effect of prolactin in serum and follicular fluid on fertilization and cleavage of human oocyte.

To assess the effect of PRL on fertilization and cleavage of oocytes, PRL levels in serum and follicular fluid of normoprolactinemic women who had undergone in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) were determined, and the relationship between PRL levels and fertilization and cleavage rates was studied. A transient increase in serum PRL at the ovulatory phase was found in about half of the IVF-ET patients during clomiphene stimulation, and increased levels of PRL in serum and follicular fluid at the ovulatory phase may suppress the fertilization and cleavage of oocytes.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1991

Increase in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in acute stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: 3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol is known to be a principal metabolite of brain norepinephrine and to be released into the blood and cerebrospinal fluid in association with activation of the central noradrenergic system. We examined changes in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol during acute stroke to see if there might be a correlation between these and the patient's clinical state. METHODS: We measured plasma levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in 32 control subjects and in 50 patients with brain hemorrhage and 57 patients with brain infarction who were admitted to the hospital within 72 hours after onset. In addition, we estimated 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid of 37 patients with brain infarction and eight control patients. RESULTS: Mean +/- SEM values for plasma 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in the patients with brain hemorrhage and those with brain infarction were 7.3 +/- 0.5 and 6.6 +/- 0.5 ng/ml, respectively. Both values were significantly higher than that obtained in the 32 control subjects (4.6 +/- 0.3 ng/ml, p less than 0.01). Plasma levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol correlated well with state of consciousness and prognosis. The mean +/- SEM level of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in the cerebrospinal fluid of the 37 patients with brain infarction (10.9 +/- 0.6 ng/ml) was also significantly higher than that in the eight control patients (7.9 +/- 0.6 ng/ml, p less than 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The observed increase in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol implies that the activity of the central noradrenergic neurons may be enhanced at the onset of stroke, and these levels may be related to some extent to the clinical state and prognosis of stroke patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

[Review of research on sex role attitudes].

There are many indices that roles of men and women have changed during the last two to three decades. This paper reviews psychological and sociological literature, and points out the following: (a) the shift of sex role attitudes, (b) their important predictors, and (c) some of cross-cultural comparisons. Sex role attitude is defined here as a learned tendency, which consistently responds favorably or unfavorably to certain sex roles. Since the 1970s, many panel surveys and longitudinal surveys, both in Japan and in USA, show that sex role attitudes have shifted toward an egalitarian direction in many fields. Cross-cultural surveys in many countries revealed that the most important predictors of sex role attitudes are, sex, education, vocation, and age. Highly educated young women with a professional/managerial job show probably the most egalitarian sex role attitude. However, cross-cultural studies indicate that Japanese women have more traditional sex role attitudes than those in other countries.

Attitude↗
PubMed1991

[A case of inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung that extended to involve the mediastinum].

A 17-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of cough and fever. The chest X-ray films revealed an anterior mediastinal mass shadow. Steroid drugs and antibiotics were administered and the shadow diminished slightly. To confirm diagnosis, open thoracotomy was performed. The tumor was extended to the mediastinum, thymus and heart as well as the right middle lobe and right lower lobe. Microscopic findings of the resected tumor showed proliferation of histiocytes with infiltration by inflammatory cells, lymphocytes and fibrous tissue.

Adolescent↗