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Biomedical subjects

K Fujimoto

Publications and source records attributed to K Fujimoto.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

[Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) after induction of anesthesia in a patient with increased intracranial pressure and ischemic heart disease].

An 84-year-old male with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and ischemic heart disease was scheduled to undergo brain tumor resection. After induction of anesthesia using midazolam, fentanyl and vecuronium, sinus bradycardia, junctional rhythm and escape-capture bigeminy were observed. In spite of intravenous administration of lidocaine and atropine, the bigeminy did not disappear. As he awoke from anesthesia, his cardiac rhythm changed from a bigeminal to a regular sinus rhythm. After extubation, sinus arrest, which continued for up to 4.8 seconds, appeared frequently. A temporary pacing catheter was inserted and ventricular pacing was started (mode VVI rate 50 min-1). Four days later, the patient was again scheduled to undergo brain tumor resection. After induction of anesthesia with the same drugs as used before, his cardiac rhythm gradually became bradycardic, and a complete pacing rhythm was observed throughout the surgical procedure. After the operation had been completed, his cardiac rhythm changed to a regular sinus rhythm. In addition to degenerative and ischemic changes in the SA node, an increase in ICP secondary to a brain tumor is thought to have induced sick sinus syndrome after the induction of anesthesia.

Aged↗

[Reactivation of hepatitis B virus after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in patients with positive hepatitis B surface antibodies].

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in patients with positive hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) has been reported in some cases of allogenic bone marrow transplantation, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and organ transplantation. However, to our knowledge, no reports have been made on the frequency and risk factors involved in HBV reactivation after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT). Forty seven patients who underwent APBSCT were retrospectively analyzed. Three patients who were HBsAb positive before APBSCT contracted post-transplant HBV acute hepatitis. All 3 patients had multiple myeloma. HBV DNA could not be demonstrated in preserved samples of transfused blood. Therefore, we speculated that reactivation of latent HBV had occurred. The 3 patients with HBV hepatitis had relatively lower titers of pre-transplant HBsAb, and the total dose of steroids they received after APBSCT was significantly higher than for other patients who did not experience post-transplant HBV reactivation. There were no significant differences in pre-transplant hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) titer or total post-transplant blood transfusion volume. Our study suggested that immunocompromised states, especially those induced by high-dose steroid therapy, may allow the reactivation of HBV after APBSCT, even in patients who had HBsAb before APBSCT.

Adolescent↗

[A comparison between three methods to investigate falls among the elderly living in the community].

PURPOSE: Interview survey is the often selected method to investigate falls among the elderly. However, the reliability of data obtained by that method has not be confirmed. The aim of this study is to clarify the number of intervals of recollection that should be specified to ensure accurate data when we investigate falls by using interview surveys among the elderly. METHODS: We carried out a total health survey among the elderly in Shigenobu town, and reported about the frequency of falls and its relating factors. Sex, age, walking ability over a distance of 1 km and hospitalization experience for past 1 year were related to falls significantly. In this study, we set 3 groups matching for the above factors in addition to history of falls during the preceding a year, and for one year we asked about falls every month for the first group (116 participants), every 3 months for the second group (116 participants) respectively. The third group (118 participants) was asked once at the end of this study. These three groups totaled 350 persons who were participants of physical fitness measurements that we carried out in Shigenobu town. The existence of falls was investigated by mail, and the nonrespondents were questioned by direct telephone calls. RESULTS: For reasons such as death, moving out, hospitalization and answer denial, persons whose answer was not obtained were excluded from the analysis. Finally, 87.1% in the 1st group, and 89.7% in the 2nd group and 96.6% in the 3rd group were analyzed. Statistically significant difference for the above factors related to falls did not exist among the 3 groups. Annual incidence for falls tended to be more frequent in the 1st group that in the 3rd group (20.5% in the 1st group, 15.9% in the 2nd group and 6.4% in the 3rd group) in males. In females, such a difference was not observed. (26.3% in the 1st group, 18.3% in the 2nd group and 20.9% in the 3rd group). CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences for the factors related to falls in 3 groups, therefore, the groups had almost similar backgrounds. In men, the difference of annual reported incidence between the 1st group and the 3rd group may be due to differences in the method of recollection.

Accidental Falls↗

[Multicenter study of cardiac events and anesthetic management of patients with ischemic heart diseases undergoing noncardiac surgery].

We designed a joint research project to investigate the incidence of ischemic heart diseases in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery and to define the risk of perioperative cardiac complications in these patients. Of the 8358 surgical patients in the 8 departments of anesthesiology between March 1997 and June 1997, 328 (3.9%) had ischemic heart diseases. Among the 328 patients, 54 (16.4%) developed perioperative cardiac events, including myocardial infarction (3 patients) and either lethal or potentially dangerous dysrhythmias (51 patients). Preoperative cardiac assessments were performed while the anesthetic techniques including intensive monitoring and perioperative prophylactic therapy were also employed. Patients with ischemic heart diseases received various types of preoperative evaluation to identify the degree of coronary artery disease and to assess the overall cardiac function. The patients were monitored using a multilead electrocardiogram, an arterial line, a central venous catheter, a pulmonary artery catheter, and by transesophageal echocardiography intraoperatively. Therapeutically, isosorbide, nitroglycerin, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and/or nicorandil were administered to prevent perioperative ischemia. So far, no generally accepted management strategies have been established in patients with cardiovascular disorders based on large-scale outcome trials in Japan. Therefore, nationwide large multicenter trials are awaited with interest in order to establish helpful guidelines to improve the perioperative management and to reduce ischemia in cardiac patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.

Anesthesia↗

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in human umbilical vein endothelial cells stimulated with interleukin-1alpha--an autocrine regulation of angiogenesis and inflammatory reactions.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a specific mitogen for endothelial cells. We studied the production of VEGF by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and smooth muscle cells (SMC) in response to the stimulation with interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha). HUVEC expressed VEGF mRNA in response to IL-1alpha in dose- and time-dependent manners. In HUVEC VEGF protein was detected only in cell lysates whereas in SMC most of the VEGF protein was detected in the conditioned medium. Immunofluorescent staining also confirmed the cell-associated VEGF in HUVEC. IL-1alpha also induced the expression of mRNA for IL-1alpha itself in HUVEC. Cycloheximide treatment of HUVEC slightly inhibited the IL-1alpha-induced expression of VEGF mRNA, and IL-1alpha may mediate, at least in part, VEGF expression in response to IL-1alpha. The growth of HUVEC stimulated with IL-1alpha was inhibited by a neutralizing antibody against VEGF. We conclude that IL-1alpha and VEGF may play an important role in autocrine growth regulation of HUVEC.

Cell Culture Techniques↗

[A case of high flow CCF with congestive hemorrhage].

The authors report a case of high flow CCF with intracerebral hemorrhage during treatment with endovascular coil embolization. A 52-year-old woman had been in good health until a sudden onset of orbital bruit and left orbital tinnitus occurred. Conjunctival chemosis and diplopia caused by left abducens palsy gradually progressed. Left internal carotid arteriography revealed a carotid-cavernous sinus fistula with direct high-flow shunt. The fistula drained into the superior orbital vein, inferior petrosal sinus, intercavernous sinus and sphenoparietal sinus with significant cortical reflux. The attempt at transarterial balloon occlusion failed. Then transvenous coil embolization was performed. During the course of endovascular treatment, follow up CT depicted intracerebral hemorrhage. Intracerebral hemorrhage was asymptomatic and thought to be caused by venous hypertension from cortical reflux. The patient underwent direct occlusion of the left sphenoparietal sinus for prevention of further hemorrhage via craniotomy. Lastly, the cavernous sinus was completely occluded by transvenous coil embolization. The signs and symptoms resolved 3 months after the procedures.

Carotid-Cavernous Sinus Fistula↗

[A multicenter study of cardiac events and anesthetic management of patients with ischemic heart diseases for noncardiac surgery--a follow-up report].

We have conducted a joint research project to investigate the incidence of ischemic heart disease in patients for noncardiac surgery and to define the risk of perioperative cardiac complications in these patients. From September to November 1997 we had 7288 patients scheduled to undergo noncardiac surgery in the 8 departments of anesthesiology. Of these patients, 228 (3.1%) patients had ischemic heart disease, and 30 of them (13.2%) developed perioperative cardiac events. Critical cardiac events, including perioperative myocardial ischemia and lethal arrhythmia, occurred in 7 of these patients. In our region of Japan, 3-4% of surgical patients tend to develop ischemic heart disease and 3.1% of them demonstrated severe cardiac complications perioperatively. Compared with United States we encounter fewer surgical patients with ischemic heart disease, but the risk of developing perioperative cardiac complications in such patients is almost the same for both countries.

Aged↗

[Effective chemotherapy with docetaxel in a patient with breast cancer who had progressed after high-dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT)].

A 39-year-old female underwent mastectomy for breast cancer in December 1995. However, two years later, she relapsed with multiple bone metastases. Only a partial response was obtained despite tandem high-dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT). Disease progression with bone pain and an increasing in the level of serum NCC-ST439 occurred 5 months after APBSCT. Salvage chemotherapy with docetaxel 60 mg/m2 reduced her symptoms, and the level of serum NCC-ST439 decreased to within the normal range. Ten cycles of docetaxel administration were repeated without severe adverse reactions in an outpatient setting for 10 months. There is little information regarding treatment after relapse from APBSCT for breast cancer. Docetaxel may be an effective agent for patients in such a setting.

Adult↗

[Simple antireflux measures for management of gastroesophageal reflux disease].

It is widely accepted that proton pump inhibitors are the most effective therapy for management of gastroesophageal reflux disease. H2-receptor antagonists, prokinetic agents, and antacids are used in treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. In addition to these medical treatments, beneficial effects of simple anti-reflux measures on management of gastroesophageal disease are evaluated. Simple anti-reflux measures include elevation of the head of the bed, weight loss, reduced food intake, and the avoidance of precipitating foods and drugs. In this chapter, we summarized the utility of these simple anti-reflux measures for management of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Diet↗

[Successful hematologic reconstitution using CD34+ cells positively selected from cryopreserved autologous peripheral blood stem cells in a patient with malignant lymphoma].

Clinical use of CD34+ cells positively selected from cryopreserved peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) has been limited, and there have been only a few reports of this procedure, mainly because clump formation decreases the proportion of CD34+ cells that can be recovered. A 49-year-old Japanese woman with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) (follicular mixed, B cell, stage IVA) was treated with seven cycles of conventional chemotherapy and achieved partial remission. During hematopoietic recovery after the seventh course of chemotherapy, PBSC were harvested by continuous leukapheresis and cryopreserved. However, clonal rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene was detected in the PBSC by Southern blot analysis. After high-dose chemotherapy, CD34+ cells were positively immunoselected from the cryopreserved PBSC and infused into the patient at 1.97 x 10(6)/kg. The overall purity and recovery rate of the CD34+ cells were 72.2% and 65.0%, respectively. There were no severe adverse effects after PBSC transplantation, and the time required for recovery of neutrophils to over 0. 5 x 10(9)/l and platelets to over 50 x 10(9)/l was 11 and 21 days, respectively. Transplantation of CD34+ cells positively selected from cryopreserved PBSC provides engraftment ability similar to that of unmanipulated PBSC.

Antigens, CD34↗

[Rating scale and functional prognosis of Parkinson's disease].

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Motor functions of patients with Parkinson's disease are determined by its cardinal symptoms: akinesia, tremor, rigidity and disturbed righting reflexes. To evaluate degree of disability and rate of its progression in Parkinson disease, simple but reliable and reproducible rating scales are essential. Those that essentially fulfil such conditions are Hoehn and Yahr Scale, Schwab and England Scale, and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Levodopa, the major anti-parkinsonian agent, has greatly improved the motor functions of the Parkinson's disease patients and prolonged their life expectancy. Studies using the above mentioned scales compared the rate of disability progression and the motor functional prognosis between pre- and post-levodopa era, and always demonstrated the levodopa's benefits for the prognosis. Side effects of long administration of levodopa such as motor fluctuation, dyskinesia, wearing-off or on-off phenomenon, and psychosis, however, are disability factors to the patients' motor functions. Rating scales that can integrate the side effects to evaluate the functions will be required.

Disability Evaluation↗

Tacrolimus (FK506) treatment of CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells promote the development of dendritic cells that drive CD4+ T cells toward Th2 responses.

The macrolide lactone, tacrolimus (FK506), is utilized in bone marrow transplantation (BMT) to prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). In the current study, we evaluated the ability of FK506 to modify the function of dendritic cells (DCs) derived from CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs). Comparable to DCs obtained in the absence of FK506, DCs cultured in the presence of FK506 (FK-DCs) had higher expression of CD1a+ and formed a greater number of DC colonies. Despite the same expression of costimulatory molecules, FK-DCs displayed a reduced capacity to stimulate an allogeneic T cell response, and showed significantly lower interleukin (IL)-12 production. While normal DCs pulsed with the exogenous antigen, keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) induced specific Th1-like interferon-gamma(IFN-gamma) producing CD4+ T cell line, FK-DCs induced Th2-like interleukin-4 (IL-4) producing CD4+ T cell line. These data demonstrate the ability of FK506 to induce Th2-promoting function in developing DCs.

Antigens, CD34↗

[Intracranial inhibitory mechanisms in clinically diagnosed corticobasal degeneration: a study of a silent period followed by transcranial magnetic stimulation].

A 52-year-old man with clinically diagnosed corticobasal degeneration (CBD) who developed the asymmetric akinetic-rigid syndrome was studied by means of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) after an interval of two years. TMS of the motor cortex during tonic muscle contraction causes a silent period immediately after a motor evoked potential in an electromyogram. This silent period is considered to reflect activity of an intracortical inhibitory mechanism. In this patient, the motor symptoms started from the left half of the body and spread to the right. The major neurological findings were dystonia, rigidity, clumsiness, and hyperreflexia. The involuntary contraction of the muscles, which was unrelated to voluntary movement, seemed to be responsible for his signs and symptoms. There was laterality of the threshold intensity and the duration of the silent period after a motor evoked potential; the threshold was higher and the duration was shorter on the affected side. Also, we found that the threshold increased and the duration decreased as his motor dysfunction progressed, which has not been reported before. A comparison of the clinical symptoms and the results of TMS in this case together with previous TMS data on CBD suggests that a disorder of the intracortical inhibitory mechanism is closely related to the movement impairment in CBD.

Basal Ganglia Diseases↗

[Problems of ALS patients in home health care].

We cared for nine amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients at home during the period from April 1995 to May 2000. Three patients died without mechanical ventilation. Four patients were supported by home mechanical ventilation but two others refused or could not clearly express their desire. It is important that ALS patients should received accurate knowledge of this disease from doctors, who should ask them repeatedly whether they want mechanical ventilation or not.

Aged↗

[Problems in the assessment of care grade].

We were involved in assessing the care grade of 238 people. The assessed care grade did not clearly correspond to the degree of handicap. Twenty-four people want a review of their assessed care grade. The reason for this discrepancy was that the home visiting assessment was performed incorrectly.

Persons with Disabilities↗

[Acute effects of oxygen on dyspnea and exercise tolerance in patients with pulmonary emphysema with only mild exercise-induced oxyhemoglobin desaturation].

The effects of oxygen on dyspnea and exercise tolerance during a 6-mimute walk test were examined in 10 patients with chronic pulmonary emphysema (CPE) who had only mild hypoxemia at rest (PaO2 > 60 Torr) and mild exercise-induced oxyhemoglobin desaturation (lowest SpO2 > 88%) on compressed air. As a whole, oxygen supplementation (2 l/min) resulted in a 7% increase in the distance walked in 6 min (6 MD), a 3% increase in the lowest SpO2, and an 8% decrease in the dyspnea score. In 6 of 7 patients with severe airflow limitation (one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) < 40% of predicted value), 6 MD (7-15%) increased significantly on oxygen, an improvement that correlated significantly with FEV1 (r = -0.65, p < 0.05). These results suggest that supplementary oxygen improves dyspnea and exercise tolerance in CPE patients with only mild exercise-induced hypoxemia despite severe airflow limitation. The long-term efficacy of oxygen in such patients needs further study.

Aged↗

[A case of limited Wegener granulomatosis with hypereosinophilia].

A 51-year-old female was admitted to Nagano Matsushiro General Hospital because of fever, cough and dyspnea on exertion. Her laboratory data revealed leukocytosis with hypereosinophilia, a high erythrocyte sedimentation rate and c-reactive protein. Chest radiography revealed an infiltration shadow with a cavity in the right upper lobe. A lung abscess was diagnosed and antibiotics were administered. Laboratory results showed improvement, but chest radiography continued to show cavities. She was admitted to our hospital because of fever, left pleural effusion and progression of cavities on chest radiographs. She showed no abnormalities of the upper airway or kidney, and was negative for c-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (c-ANCA). Because a positive c-ANCA was seen on day 8 of hospitalization, L-type limited Wegener granulomatosis (WG) was diagnosed according to Gross et al. Prednisolone (PSL) was administered, which improved the anemia, eosinophilia and the cavities. On day 7 of PSL administration, of the left pneumothorax occurred as a complication caused by perforation of the left chest cavity, but her clinical course was good after a cavernectomy was performed. Some studies have reported that limited WG shows a negative c-ANCA, and that antibiotic therapy improves inflammation. The L-type of limited WG revealed a low-grade positive ratio and titer of c-ANCA. Moreover, L-type limited WG responds well to therapy. We therefore selected PSL administration only against L-type limited WG. We have reported L-type limited WG with eosinophilia and the negative effects of c-ANCA at an early clinical stage.

Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic↗