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Biomedical subjects

K Fujimoto

Publications and source records attributed to K Fujimoto.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Improvements in thoracic movement following lung volume reduction surgery in patients with severe emphysema.

In twelve patients with severe emphysema who underwent lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS), we assessed the results of dyspnea scale, pulmonary function, 6-minute walk distance (6MD), and thoracic movement prior to and 6 months following LVRS. Postoperatively, forced expiratory volume (FEV1), maximum inspiratory mouth pressures (MIP), maximum expiratory mouth pressures (MEP), maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV), diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and 6MD were significantly increased with the decrease in dyspnea scale and lung hyperinflation. Thoracic movement, as assessed by the bilateral lung area ratio of the mid-sagittal dimension of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at full inspiration to that at full expiration, was significantly increased. The improvement in thoracic movement was significantly correlated with the increases in FEV1, MVV, and MIP, and with the decrease in residual volume (RV), and with the improvement in the dyspnea scale. These findings suggest that LVRS is an effective procedure for improving not only the airflow limitation and gas exchange but also the thoracic movement in severe emphysema, and these improvements may contribute to an increase in exercise performance and relief of dyspnea.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Depletion of dietary n-3 fatty acid affects the level of cyclic AMP in rat hippocampus.

Prolonged depletion of dietary n-3 fatty acid induces a neurological disturbance. To ascertain the deficit of neurotransmission at the time of n-3 deficiency, the concentrations of cAMP and inositol triphosphate, and the activities of protein kinases A and C were examined in vitro in rat hippocampus. Furthermore, the saturation binding study of [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate, a specific antagonist to muscarinic cholinergic receptor, was performed. Rats were fed a safflower oil diet as the deficient group and a soybean oil diet as the control group. Hippocampi were obtained from rats in the 3rd generation in the deficient group and in the 2nd generation in the control group. Dietary effect was not observed in the parameters except for the concentration of cAMP, which was significantly higher in the deficient group than in the control group.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Severe stenosis of the internal carotid artery and intracerebral hematoma associated with neurofibromatosis type 1: a case report].

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 produces a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations as a result of widespread dysplasia of mesodermal and neuroectodermal tissues. One of the most serious aspects of the disease relates to the arterial involvement that may occur. We report a case of severe stenosis of the internal carotid artery and intracerebral hemorrhage associated with neurofibromatosis Type 1. A 49-year-old female was admitted to our hospital after she had suddenly become comatose. On admission, she demonstrated a decerebrate posture in response to painful stimuli, and was assessed as grade 200 according to the Japan Coma Scale. Physical examination disclosed widespread cutaneous neurofibromas and cafe-au-lait spots. Computed tomography of the head revealed a right putaminal extensive hematoma, with a maximum diameter of 7 cm. The hematoma was removed. After this surgical treatment, cerebral angiography was performed. It showed severe stenosis of the terminal portion of the right internal carotid artery associated with a fine telangiectatic network, indicating the presence of moyamoya vessels in the basal ganglia. Although intracranial hemorrhage associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 is a rare condition, fine telangiectatic collateral vessels caused by occlusive cerebrovascular disease, intracranial aneurysms, brain tumors, or hypertension caused by pheochromocytoma or stenosis of the renal artery should be considered as the cause of hemorrhage.

Carotid Artery Diseases↗
PubMed1999

Identification of protein kinase C phosphorylation sites involved in phorbol ester-induced desensitization of the histamine H1 receptor.

The histamine H1 receptor (H1R)-mediated signaling cascade is inhibited by phorbol ester-induced protein kinase C (PKC) activation. Cloning studies of the H1Rs have shown that several potential PKC phosphorylation sites are located in the third intracellular loop of H1R. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of PKC-mediated desensitization, we identified amino acid residues that are involved in the desensitization of the H1R. Two amino acid residues (Ser396, Ser398) were determined to be PKC phosphorylation sites by in vitro phosphorylation studies using a series of synthetic peptides. Treatment with phorbol ester decreased histamine-induced accumulation of inositol phosphates in Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the H1R with a rightward shift in the EC50 value, which implies the uncoupling of the receptor from the G protein. Site-directed mutagenesis studies showed that substitution of alanine for Ser398 but not for Ser396 markedly attenuated the effect of phorbol ester, which suggests that the Ser398 residue was primarily involved in PKC-mediated desensitization.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

[Mobility in the community-dwelling elderly and its correlates].

OBJECTIVE: To examine mobility level in community-dwelling elderly using a questionnaire of walking ability over a distance of 1 km and its relationship to activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QOL) indices, and to obtain clues to mobility impairment in the elderly. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 3,266 community-dwelling elderly aged 60 to 84 years were interviewed with questionnaires for assessing mobility, ADL and QOL levels. The mobility was assessed by walking ability over a distance of 1 km, and the ADL levels were by conventional basic ADL, comprehensive mobility index and the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence, and the QOL levels were by self-rated health, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) short-version and Life Satisfaction Index-K (LSIK). They were also asked about diseases for which they regularly consult doctors, and about subjective symptoms. RESULTS: Eighty-seven percent of the subjects responded to the interview, with 86.3% of male responders and 77.6% of female responders answering that they could walk on foot over a distance of 1 km without any difficulty. The percentages of subjects who answered that they could walk but with difficulty or could not walk over a distance of 1 km increased with advancing age. The correlation analysis between 1 km-walking ability and other mobility indices showed that 1 km-walking ability was a better index for identifying a slight to moderate mobility impairment, and that the mobility level was closely associated with daily activity levels in the community-dwelling elderly. The elderly with an impaired mobility had lowered self-rated health, GDS and LSIK scores. After controlling for sex and age, it was shown that prevalences of musculoskeltal (knee arthritis, lower back pain, etc.), cerebrovascular and heart diseases, and complaints of subjective symptoms which were associated with physical frailty, were closely associated with impaired mobility. Hearing and visual disturbances also had a significant relation to a lowered mobility. CONCLUSIONS: Walking ability over a distance of 1 km may be a good index for discriminating differing mobility levels which community-dwelling elderly have intrinsically. The possible etiological factors for a lowered mobility in the elderly include musculoskeletal, cerebrovascular and heart diseases; physical frailty; and hearing and visual disturbances.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1999

Characterization of T-cell receptor beta chain mRNA expression in IFN-alpha-responsive chronic myelogenous leukaemia patients.

Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) has shown promise in the treatment of chronic phase of chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML). IFN-alpha has also been found to indirectly up-regulate the expression of major histocompatibility (MHC) antigens, and to directly increase the activity of lymphocytes against tumour cells. To elucidate whether IFN-alpha induces anti-leukaemic activity of the autologous T cells in CML patients, we analysed the accumulation of T-cell receptor (TCR) in each Vbeta family using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) followed by single-strand conformation (SSCP) analysis. We found the predominant expression of the Vbeta 10, 12, and 14 families in the peripheral blood (PB) of CML patients, in contrast to healthy donors. Especially, in IFN-alpha-responsive patients, we observed an enhancement of the accumulation of the Vbeta 9 and 20 families, suggesting that T cells enhanced by IFN-alpha may react with a discrete set of antigens on the surface of malignant cells. These findings may demonstrate that CML cells possess the heterogenous antigens and the clonal expansion of Vbeta 9+ and Vbeta 20+ T cells may be a prognostic indicator of the immune responsiveness to IFN-alpha.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Effects of local administration of interferon-beta on proliferation of the retinal pigment epithelium].

PURPOSE: We demonstrated effects of local administration of human interferon (IFN)-beta on the repair process of the rabbit retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used adult pigmented rabbits in this experiment. We measured IFN-beta levels in the ocular tissues after sub-Tenon administration of human IFN-beta by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. Laser photocoagulation in moderate intensity was applied after IFN administration. The repair process of the RPE in laser lesion sites was examined histopathologically. RESULTS: Locally administrated IFN spread by diffusion into the intraocular tissues. The highest IFN level was detected in the choroid. In eyes treated with IFN, RPE cells proliferated vigorously to the center of the photocoagulated lesions on early stages after laser photocoagulation. Proliferation of RPE cells after laser photocoagulation was remarkable in eyes treated with large amounts of IFN. CONCLUSION: It was demonstrated histopathologically that sub-Tenon administration of IFN-beta promoted proliferation of RPE cells during the repair process after laser photocoagulation.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1999

Cyno-EBV (EBV-related herpesvirus from cynomolgus macaques) induces rabbit malignant lymphomas and their tumor cell lines frequently show specific chromosomal abnormalities.

Malignant lymphoma (ML) induction in rabbits by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related herpesvirus of cynomolgus (Cyno-EBV) is reported. Twenty-seven of 30 (90%) rabbits inoculated intravenously with Cyno-EBV-producing simian (cynomolgus) lymphocyte cell line (Ts-B6) cells developed ML between 45 and 115 days after inoculation. The peroral inoculation of Ts-B6 cells induced ML in only 2 of 10 (20%) rabbits (75 to 85 days). Five of 6 (83%) rabbits injected with cell-free pellets from Ts-B6 cultures also developed ML (27 to 122 days). Antibody response to the viral capsid antigen of EBV was also detected in sera from rabbits inoculated with Ts-B6. ML of the large cell or mixed type infiltrated diffusely in many organs, frequently involving the spleen, liver, kidneys, heart, and less frequently the lungs, lymph nodes, brain, eyes, gastrointestinal tract, thymus, and bone marrow. A chromosomal analysis of five lymphoma cell lines established from tumor-bearing rabbits revealed the rabbit karyotype. Three of these cell lines showed the chromosomal abnormalities with 12q- or t (7p+:12q-). EBV-encoded small RNA-1 and EBV-associated nuclear antigen 1 were expressed in Ts-B6 cells, the tumor tissues, and all rabbit cell lines by in situ hybridization and by immunofluorescence tests, respectively. EBV DNA was also detected in Ts-B6 cells and rabbit lymphoma cell lines by polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis. The Southern blots of EBV termini revealed oligoclonal bands in the Cyno-EBV-induced rabbit lymphomas. No lymphoma was induced by the inoculation of B95-8 (EBV-producing cells) or peripheral leukocytes from normal cynomolgus (controls). These data suggest that the high rate of lymphoma induction in rabbits may be caused not by human EBV (B95-8) but by Cyno-EBV from Ts-B6 cells. A sequence analysis of the IR1 (BamHIW) region of Cyno-EBV revealed that this region is quite similar to that of herpesvirus Macaca fascicularis 1, which is a causative agent for a monkey model of AIDS-related lymphomas. The present rabbit model of lymphoma with specific chromosomal abnormalities is very useful to clarify the role of EBV in human EBV-associated lymphoma and provides a means for studying prophylactic and therapeutic regimens.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Implication of vascular endothelial growth factor in the development and metastasis of human cancers.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a most potent angiogenic molecule. In this article, we demonstrated that VEGF is participated in the tumor angiogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma, esophageal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, we revealed that VEGF is one of the molecules which are responsible for metastasis and prognosis in esophageal cancer and colon cancer. Although the mechanism on the induction of VEGF gene is still unclear in human cancer tissue, we obtained the informative evidence indicating that p53 mutation is involved in VEGF expression of esophageal cancer. Our experimental study with stable transfectant of VEGF gene provided the confirmative results showing that VEGF gene induces neovascularization in and around tumor and that VEGF augment metastastic potential by accelerating proliferative activity after reaching the target organ.

Cell Transformation, Neoplastic↗
PubMed1999

[Brain surface clear cell ependymoma: case report].

We report a case of brain surface clear cell ependymoma. A 13-year-old boy presented with complaints of right hypesthesia. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance image showed a left fronto-parietal cystic, calcified mass lesion. He underwent total resection of the tumor including cyst wall. The tumor located on the surface of the parietal lobe was sharply demarcated from the surrounding brain tissue and there was no continuity with the ventricular wall. Histological examination of the surgical specimens showed oligodendroglioma-like cells that had round unclei, clear cytoplasm which formed perivascular pseudorosettes, and immunoreactivity for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Electromicroscopically, microvilli were seen. The findings were compatible with clear cell ependymoma. The cyst wall was lined with a layer of single cuboidal cells and, immunohistochemically, had no basal membrane. The inner surface of the cyst was positive for EMA, and the cuboidal cells were positive for GFAP. We discuss possible mechanisms for tumor growth in our case and the histogenesis of its cyst.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Seasonal variation in the incidence of acute aortic dissection in Yokohama].

In order to determine any possible influence of climatic variables on the incidence of acute aortic dissection (AAD), we reviewed all patients with a diagnosis of AAD treated at Yokohama City University Urafune Hospital between January 1994 and December 1997 retrospectively. One hundred and eight patients with AAD were admitted into the hospital during the period. Forty-two patients (39%) developed AAD during the winter, when the lowest temperature was below 6 degrees C. Thirty-one patients (29%) developed AAD in May or October, when the lowest temperature was almost 15 degrees C. We suspect that the incidence of AAD was influenced not only by the atmospheric temperature but also by other factors, for example, the change of the atmospheric pressure.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1999

[Primary pulmonary cryptococcosis confused with lung cancer by transbronchial biopsy: demonstration by three-dimensional computed tomography].

Routine chest radiographs of a 52-year-old woman displayed abnormal opacities in the right lower lung field. A computed tomographic (CT) scan of the chest disclosed irregular nodular opacities in the peripheral zone of the right S6. Reconstructed three-dimensional images obtained by helical CT displayed the lesions as agglutinated small nodules, with other small nodules near the bronchi appearing as "tree-in-bud" formations. Specimens obtained by transbronchial lung biopsy of the right B6b revealed atypical glandular structures, thus leading to suspected adenocarcinoma of primary lung cancer. A right lower lobectomy was performed; cut-surface specimens of the resected tissues showed multiple lobulate, milky-white nodules near the bronchi. Histopathologic examination found no malignant cells. PAS staining revealed numerous cryptococcal organisms, thus yielding the final diagnosis of primary pulmonary cryptococcosis.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1999

[Implication of health checkups of students from developing countries in Japan].

We investigated the prevalence of peripheral blood abnormalities, parasitic infestation, and hepatitis virus infection, by using the results of the primary screening health checkups for 423 students (male: 317, female: 106, average age +/- SD: 34.2 +/- 5.5 year-old) from abroad. Most of them were from Southeast Asia, Africa, Central and South America, and other developing countries in tropical or subtropical areas. Thalassemia-like hematological disorders, showing microcytic peripheral red blood cells without any anemia, were seen in 7.6 percent of the students, and intestinal parasites were revealed in 12.7 percent of them. The positive rate for anti-hepatitis A virus antibodies (84.3%) and the exposure rate of hepatitis B viruses (35.3%) were similar to previous reports. Compared with the positive rate for anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti-HCVAb) of students from other regions (1.5%), a significantly high seropositivity for anti-HCVAb was encountered in Egyptian participants (21.1%). In recent years, population shifts and rapid transportation have facilitated the spread of certain infectious diseases from endemic to non-endemic areas. International preventive strategies, education of people regarding infectious diseases, and sufficient medical staffs for this purpose are urgently recommended.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[The repair of congenital coronary artery fistula in the neonatal period].

We operated on 10 cases diagnosed as congenital coronary artery fistula, including 2 critical neonates. Such neonates needed special care for perfusion pressure drop at the beginning of cardiopulmonary bypass and imperfect delivery of cardioplegia. This phenomenon is likely to depend on the shunt size of a fistula, that is much larger in such neonates than in older patients who could be operated on electively. It was helpful in the situation to crossclamp the main PA, compress the fistula and crossclamp the aorta quickly for a standstill. We prefer the closure of a fistula in the recipient chamber especially when an important area is supplied distally to the origin of the fistula. However, if a ventricle is a recipient chamber, the closure through coronary incision should be done as the neonates in our series. There were two hospital deaths due to vascular leakage syndrome and hypoxia, respectively. Aortic regurgitation (AR) got worse in two after the operation. They were found to have more dilatation and distortion in the Valsalva's sinus which appeared to affect the aortic annulus to some extent. It is likely due to long-standing larger shunt. Contrary to them, the patient operated on during neonatal period was followed by no increase of AR, though she had the largest shunt of our series. We have an impression it could be prevented by earlier operation.

Aortic Valve Insufficiency↗
PubMed1999

[Habitual mandibular dislocation in two patients with Parkinson's disease].

There have been few case reports of mandibular dislocation in Parkinson's disease (PD) so far. We experienced habitual mandibular dislocation in two PD patients. They were a 74-year-old woman and a 56-year-old man, who were both graded V by Hoehn and Yahr's staging and had a 13- and 14-year history of PD, respectively. Remarkable retroflexion and rigidity of the neck was observed in both patients. Anterior dislocation of the jaw occurred without any special cause. Once the jaw was dislocated, it required unexpected power to reduce the dislocation against the rigidity. In a case of postencephalitic parkinsonism, continuous parkinsonian tremors of the mandible over a long period was indicated as a cause of the recurrent dislocation seen in the patient. No mandibular tremor, however, was observed in the present cases. The common feature of our two patients was retroflexion of the neck, which was assumed to make the suprahyoid muscles stretched and the mouth opened widely, causing the recurrent mandibular dislocation. Since the recurrence was prevented by chin cap, early chin cap therapy for the mandibular dislocation in parkinsonian patients is recommended.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[A case of sphenoid sinus mucocele].

Infection of the sphenoid sinus is an uncommon clinical entity frequently misdiagnosed because of its vague symptoms and paucity of clinical findings. We report a case of sphenoid sinus mucocele complicated by retro-orbital pain and ipsilateral optic atrophy. CT scan and MR image revealed a cystic mass lesion of the sphenoid sinus. Bone around the lesion was eroded. The patient underwent transnasal drainage of the cystic mass. We conclude that transnasal drainage is the safest method of treatment of an infectious lesion in and around the sphenoid sinus.

Drainage↗
PubMed1999

[Intraoperative indirect monitoring of electrocardiogram].

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is used as a standard monitoring method during anesthesia and operation. But during the operation of severely burnt patients, the electrodes for ECG cannot be placed on the ideal points for the standard limb leads. We tried the indirect monitoring of the ECG. We placed the electrodes on the sheet over the operating table, and connected the patient and the electrodes with water. By this way the ECG similar to the standard limb leads could be recorded. This method is useful for the patients, with such diseases as severe burn, severe atopic dermatitis and epidermolysis bullosa hereditaria.

Electrocardiography↗