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Biomedical subjects

K Hayashi

Publications and source records attributed to K Hayashi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[Clinical experience of sivelestat sodium hydrate for severe reexpansion pulmonary edema; report of a case].

An 81-year-old man was referred to our hospital for the treatment for left spontaneous pneumothorax. A chest X-ray revealed a left-sided total pneumothorax and complete collapse of the lung. After intravenous administration of methylprednisolone, a 16 Fr chest tube was inserted, and drainage was started without negative pressure suction. Four hours after chest tube insertion, the patient's condition deteriorated. He complained severe cough and dyspnea, and pulse oximetry reading was 70%. A repeat chest X-ray demonstrated diffuse reexpansion pulmonary edema (RPE) on the left. After mechanical ventilation and intravenous infusion therapy with sivelestat sodium hydrate, methylprednisolone and ulinastatin were started, P(O2)/ Fi(O2) ratio improved rapidly. He was extubated on hospital day 6 and was discharged after pleurodesis for the pneumothorax. This case suggests that sivelestat sodium hydrate may be useful for the treatment for RPE.

Aged↗

Arsenic contamination of groundwater in Nawabganj, Bangladesh, focusing on the relationship with other metals and ions.

Serious arsenic contamination of groundwater in Bangladesh has been frequently reported and is of great concern. In this research, repeated water sampling from the same 10 tubewells in Nawabganj municipality, Bangladesh, was conducted and analysed, focusing on the seasonal variation of water quality and the relationship among arsenic and other metals and ions. For the seasonal variation of water quality, arsenic and iron concentrations were higher in the rainy season in general although the tendency was not consistent and it depended on the tubewell and the time. Correlation between arsenic and iron could not be observed in this study (r = -0.01) when using all cases. This was because no correlation was observed in the higher arsenic concentration range. Arsenic removal by co-precipitation with coexisting iron is known as one of the locally applicable techniques in Bangladesh, but the result from this study suggests that some additional treatments such as the extra injection of iron should be performed in some cases, especially where the arsenic concentration is high. The correlation between arsenic and other substances was also analysed. As a result, manganese (r = 0.37), molybdenum (r = 0.33) and sulfate ion (r = -0.33) significantly correlated with arsenic (p < 0.05). The negative correlation between arsenic and sulfate ion implies the dissolution of arsenic into groundwater under reductive conditions although there are some exceptional cases.

Arsenic↗

Evidence for an oscillatory signature in atmospheric neutrino oscillations.

Muon neutrino disappearance probability as a function of neutrino flight length L over neutrino energy E was studied. A dip in the L/E distribution was observed in the data, as predicted from the sinusoidal flavor transition probability of neutrino oscillation. The observed L/E distribution constrained nu(micro)<-->nu(tau) neutrino oscillation parameters; 1.9x10(-3) 0.90 at 90% confidence level.

Journal Article↗

Search for electron neutrino appearance in a 250 km long-baseline experiment.

We present a search for electron neutrino appearance from accelerator-produced muon neutrinos in the K2K long-baseline neutrino experiment. One candidate event is found in the data corresponding to an exposure of 4.8 x 10(19) protons on target. The expected background in the absence of neutrino oscillations is estimated to be 2.4+/-0.6 events and is dominated by misidentification of events from neutral current pi(0) production. We exclude the nu(micro) to nu(e) oscillations at 90% C.L. for the effective mixing angle in the 2-flavor approximation of sin((2)2theta(microe)( approximately 1/2sin((2)2theta(13))>0.15 at Deltam(2)(microe)=2.8 x 10(-3) eV(2), the best-fit value of the nu(micro) disappearance analysis in K2K. The most stringent limit of sin((2)2theta(microe)<0.09 is obtained at Deltam(2)(microe)=6 x 10(-3) eV(2).

Journal Article↗

Limits on the neutrino magnetic moment using 1496 days of Super-Kamiokande-I solar neutrino data.

A search for a nonzero neutrino magnetic moment has been conducted using 1496 live days of solar neutrino data from Super-Kamiokande-I. Specifically, we searched for distortions to the energy spectrum of recoil electrons arising from magnetic scattering due to a nonzero neutrino magnetic moment. In the absence of a clear signal, we found micro(nu)</=(3.6x10(-10))micro(B) at 90% C.L. by fitting to the Super-Kamiokande day-night spectra. The fitting took into account the effect of neutrino oscillation on the shapes of energy spectra. With additional information from other solar neutrino and KamLAND experiments constraining the oscillation region, a limit of micro(nu)</=(1.1x10(-10))micro(B) at 90% C.L. was obtained.

Journal Article↗

Development of PCR-based SNP markers for rice blast resistance genes at the Piz locus.

We assessed the utility of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and small insertion/deletion polymorphisms (InDels) as DNA markers in genetic analysis and breeding of rice. Toward this end, we surveyed SNPs and InDels in the chromosomal region containing the Piz and Piz-t rice blast resistance genes and developed PCR-based markers for typing the SNPs. Analysis of sequences from a blast-susceptible Japanese cultivar and two cultivars each containing one of these genes revealed that SNPs are abundant in the Piz and Piz-t regions (on average, one SNP every 248 bp), but the number of InDels was much lower. The dense distribution of SNPs facilitated the generation of SNP markers in the vicinity of the genes. For typing these SNPs, we used a modified allele-specific PCR method. Of the 49 candidate allele-specific markers, 33 unambiguously and reproducibly discriminated between the two alleles. We used the markers for mapping the Piz and Piz-t genes and evaluating the size of DNA segments introgressed from the Piz donor cultivar in Japanese near-isogenic lines containing Piz. Our findings suggest that, because of its ability to generate numerous markers within a target region and its simplicity in assaying genotypes, SNP genotyping with allele-specific PCR is a valuable tool for gene mapping, map-based cloning, and marker-assisted selection in crops, especially rice.

Base Sequence↗

Use of the time-signal intensity curve from dynamic magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate remnant pancreatic fibrosis after pancreaticojejunostomy in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the value of the time-signal intensity curve (TIC) obtained from dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of remnant pancreatic fibrosis after pancreaticojejunostomy in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: Two modes of pancreaticojejunostomy-duct-to-mucosa anastomosis (DMA; 24 patients) and pancreatojejunoserosal anastomosis (PJSA; 22 patients)-were used in 46 consecutive patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. All patients underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI of the pancreas before pancreaticoduodenectomy. Retrospective review of the pancreatic magnetic resonance images and histological examination of the pancreas were performed, and the patterns of TICs from dynamic MRI were compared with the degree of pancreatic fibrosis. Dynamic MRI of the residual pancreas was carried out for 1-3 years after pancreaticoduodenectomy in 26 patients (14 DMA, 12 PJSA) who had a histologically verified normal pancreas with no fibrosis at the time of pancreaticoduodenectomy. RESULTS: Evaluation of preoperative dynamic magnetic resonance images showed that a pancreatic TIC with a rapid rise to a peak followed by a rapid decline (type I) was characteristic of a normal pancreas without fibrosis. Pancreatic TICs with a slow rise to a peak followed by a slow decline or a plateau (types II and III) indicated a fibrotic pancreas. Postoperative pancreatic MRI demonstrated that six of 12 patients with a PJSA had a type II TIC, whereas 12 of 14 patients with a DMA had a type I curve (P = 0.046). CONCLUSION: The TIC obtained from dynamic MRI is a reliable indicator of fibrosis in the remnant pancreas after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Use of a DMA was associated with a lower risk of pancreatic fibrosis 1-3 years after surgery than a PJSA.

Adult↗

Quantitative flow visualization of fluidized-bed heat exchanger by neutron radiography.

Quantitative flow visualization of a gas-solid fluidized-bed installed vertical tube-bank has been successfully conducted using neutron radiography and image processing technique. The quantitative data of void fraction distribution as well as the fluctuation data are presented. The time-averaged void fraction is well correlated by the drift-flux model. The bubbles formed in the bed, rise along the vertical tubes and the observed bubble size is smaller than that in a free bubbling bed without tube-banks. The bubble diameter is well correlated by the modified Mori and Wen's correlation taking into account the pitch of tube arrangement. The bubble rise velocity is also well correlated by applying the drift-flux model. These results are consistent for both bed materials of Geldart's B- and A-particles, while the bubble size is significantly different between two kinds of particles.

Journal Article↗

Malignant and benign compression fractures: differentiation and diagnostic pitfalls on MRI.

The distinction between malignant and benign compression fractures is a common problem in clinical practice. Various imaging techniques (plain radiography, computed tomography, bone scintigraphy) have been used to differentiate these conditions but they are often inadequate in distinguishing the nature of compression fracture. This review illustrates the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of malignant and benign compression fractures with emphasis on the usefulness, limitations and pitfalls of MRI.

Back Pain↗

The impact of subject/respondent characteristics on a proxy-rated quality of life instrument for the Japanese elderly with dementia.

The development of a quality of life (QL) instrument for evaluating quality of services requires extensive validation. This study examines the impact of subject/respondent characteristics on a newly developed quality of life instrument for the Japanese elderly with dementia (QLDJ) as a part of the validity examination. In the QLDJ, QL is defined as a three-dimensional construct: 'interacting with surroundings', expressing self', and 'experiencing minimum negative behaviors'. Thus the QLDJ is a multi-dimensional, 24-item instrument, and it is answered by a proxy, the formal caregiver (respondent) because the elderly with severe dementia cannot be directly interviewed. Altogether 623 elderly persons experiencing dementia from 37 institutions (e.g., nursing homes, day care centers) in Japan were assessed using the QLDJ by their formal caregivers. In addition to the levels of dementia and independence in activities of daily living, factors such as gender of the elderly person and respondent, elderly person's age, participation in recreational activities, qualification of the respondent were significantly associated with 'interacting with surroundings' and 'expressing self'. The levels of dementia and independence as well as qualification of the respondent were associated with 'experiencing minimum negative behaviors'. Possible reasons for these associations and how to deal with them are discussed. Careful control for those factors is needed when the QLDJ is used in future research.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Beneficial action of candesartan cilexetil plus amlodipine or ACE inhibitors in chronic nondiabetic renal disease.

Although multiple antihypertensive agents are required to control blood pressure (BP) in chronic renal disease, it remains undetermined whether the combination therapy with angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) plus calcium antagonists or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) confers more preferable action on renal disease than the ARB monotherapy. In the present study, we compared the effect of the combination therapy with ARB plus calcium antagonists/ACEI on proteinuria with that of the ARB monotherapy in chronic nondiabetic renal disease. At 1 month of the drug treatment, the candesartan monotherapy (n=19) reduced BP from 154+/-3/93+/-2 to 146+/-3/88+/-2 mmHg (P<0.05), and a similar magnitude of BP reductions was observed with the combination therapy with candesartan plus ACEI/amlodipine (from 153+/-2/95+/-2 to 144+/-2/88+/-2 mmHg, P<0.05, n=39). The depressor action of these therapies was sustained throughout the 12-month treatment. In contrast, the reduction in proteinuria was greater with the combination therapy (-52+/-3% at 12 months, n=39) than with the candesartan monotherapy (-25+/-3%, n=19), although the baseline values of proteinuria were nearly the same in the candesartan monotherapy group (1.74+/-0.22 g/day) and the combination therapy group (2.10+/-0.19 g/day, P>0.2). Of note, the proteinuria-sparing effect did not differ between the candesartan+ACEI group and the candesartan+amlodipine group. In conclusion, the present study suggests more beneficial action of the combination therapy with ARB plus ACEI/amlodipine than the ARB monotherapy in nondiabetic renal disease. Since the reduction in BP was achieved to the same level, the distinct proteinuria-sparing action of these therapies is attributed to BP-independent mechanisms, which should vary depending on the agents used.

Adult↗

Primary malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the cauda equina in a child case report.

STUDY DESIGN: A case report of primary malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) of the cauda equina in a child is presented, and the literature is reviewed. OBJECTIVE: To discuss the problems involved in the treatment of primary intradural MPNSTs. SETTING: A department of orthopaedic surgery in Japan. METHODS: A 4-year-old boy complained of low-back pain radiating to the left calf. MRI revealed an intradural tumor at L3-L5 level. Following laminectomy of L3, L4 and L5, the tumor was removed en bloc. Based on pathological and immunohistological findings, the tumor was diagnosed as an MPNST. RESULTS: Although adjuvant chemotherapy was administered local recurrence and cerebral and spinal metastases of the tumor were found 6 months after the operation. Following additional incomplete removal of the recurrent tumor, radiation therapy was administered. Although recurrent and metastatic tumors disappeared or diminished in size by radiation, tumors increased in size thereafter, despite additional adjuvant chemotherapy. At 21 months after the first operation, he died of pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: Reported clinical outcomes for patients with primary intradural MPNST are very poor. Although no gold standard for the treatment of tumors has been established yet, surgical removal of tumors combined with postoperative high-dose radiation may be recommended.

Brain Neoplasms↗

Interferon treatment improves survival in chronic hepatitis C patients showing biochemical as well as virological responses by preventing liver-related death.

Interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis C reduces the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, especially among virological and biochemical responders. However, little is known about the effect of interferon therapy on mortality. We studied the long-term effect of interferon therapy on mortality in patients with chronic hepatitis C. For this retrospective cohort study, 2954 patients with chronic hepatitis C were recruited, of whom 2698 received interferon therapy and 256 did not. The effect of interferon therapy on survival was assessed by standardized mortality ratio (SMR) based on published mortality data for the general Japanese population and by risk ratio calculated by proportional hazard regression. Over 6.0 +/- 2.2 years follow-up, death from liver-related diseases was observed in 69 (68%) of 101 deaths among interferon-treated patients and in 42 (81%) of 52 deaths among untreated patients. Compared with the general population, overall mortality was high among untreated patients (SMR: 2.7; 95% CI: 2.0-3.6) but not among interferon-treated patients (SMR: 0.9; 95% CI: 0.7-1.1). Liver-related mortality was extremely high among untreated patients (SMR: 22.2; 95% CI: 16.0-30.0) and less among interferon-treated patients (SMR: 5.5; 95% CI: 4.3-6.9). The risk of death from all causes was lower for interferon-treated than untreated patients (risk ratio: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.261-0.836; P = 0.01). The risk of death from liver-related diseases was significantly lower for sustained virological responders (risk ratio: 0.04; 95% CI: 0.005-0.301; P = 0.002) compared with untreated patients, but not for nonsustained virological responders. Sustained biochemical responders (risk ratio: 0.03; 95% CI: 0.004-0.230; P < 0.001) and transient biochemical responders (risk ratio: 0.18; 95% CI: 0.063-0.532; P = 0.002) showed a significantly reduced risk of death from liver-related death, whereas biochemical nonresponders did not. Hence interferon treatment improved survival in chronic hepatitis C patients showing a biochemical as well as a virological response by preventing liver-related deaths.

Adult↗

Expression of p21(Waf1/Cip1) predicts response and survival of esophageal cancer patients treated by chemoradiotherapy.

Chemoradiotherapy is a multimodal therapy routinely used as a primary treatment for advanced esophageal cancer. However, it is beneficial only to patients who respond. To identify pretreatment markers predicting response and survival, we examined the expression of cell cycle regulatory molecules, p53, p21(Waf1/Cip1) cyclin D1, and CDC25B, in biopsy specimens from 76 patients with stage III and stage IV squamous cell carcinoma. Overexpression of p53, p21, cyclin D1 and CDC25B was observed in 58%, 30%, 28%, and 32% of patients, respectively. The expression of p21 correlated significantly with response to chemoradiotherapy (P = 0.0001). Survival of patients with p21-expressing tumors was better than that of patients with p21-negative tumors (P = 0.013). Expression of other genes was not significantly correlated with treatment response and survival. In patients with p53-negative tumors, survival of those patients with p21-positive tumors was significantly higher than that of those with p21-negative tumors (P = 0.0452), but no significant difference was found in patients with p53-positive tumors. Multivariate analysis revealed that p21 expression was an independent variable among pretreatment parameters in predicting survival. These results suggest that p21 expression is potentially useful for predicting the response to chemoradiotherapy and survival of patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell cancer.

Biopsy↗

Posterior capsule opacification after implantation of a hydrogel intraocular lens.

AIM: To compare the degree of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) in eyes with a hydrophilic hydrogel intraocular lens (IOL) with that in eyes with a hydrophobic acrylic IOL. METHODS: Ninety five patients underwent a hydrogel IOL implantation in one eye and an acrylic IOL implantation in the opposite eye. The PCO value of these patients was measured using the Scheimpflug videophotography system at 1, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months postoperatively. The rate of neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy and visual acuity were also evaluated. RESULTS: The mean PCO value in the hydrogel group increased significantly (p<0.0001), while that in the acrylic group did not show significant change. The PCO value in the hydrogel group was significantly greater than that in the acrylic group throughout the follow up period. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis determined that the Nd:YAG capsulotomy rate in the hydrogel group was significantly higher than that in the acrylic group (p<0.0001). Mean visual acuity in the hydrogel group decreased significantly with time (p<0.0001), and became significantly worse than that in the acrylic group at 18 and 24 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Posterior capsule opacification in eyes with a hydrophilic hydrogel IOL is significantly more extensive than that in eyes with a hydrophobic acrylic IOL, and results in a significant impairment of visual acuity.

Acrylates↗

[Surgical treatment of left ventricular-right atrial communication complicated with aortic and mitral valves regurgitation: report of a case].

A 50-year-old man with a heart murmur from early childhood and a one year history of general fatigue was admitted. Cardiac examination showed a left ventricular-right atrial (LV-RA) communication, and aortic and mitral valve regurgitation (III/IV). At surgery, the LV-RA communication was located in the atrioventricular membranous portion 3 mm above the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve. The etiology of the LV-RA communication was congenital and valvular diseases were acquired changes caused by sclerosis due to infected endocarditis or hypertension. The diameter of the LV-RA communication defect was 6 mm, and the fibrous tissue around the defect was closed directly. Next, double-valve replacement was performed safely. However, the day after surgery, the patient developed complete atrioventricular block and implantation of a DDD pacemaker was required. He was discharged without other complication. We recommend the careful closure of the LV-RA communication defect, if the defect is small and rich in fibrous tissue.

Aortic Valve Insufficiency↗

Establishment and characterization of two cell lines (HEC-155, HEC-180) derived from uterine papillary serous adenocarcinoma.

Uterine papillary serous adenocarcinoma (UPSC) is an uncommon histologic subtype of endometrial cancer that characteristically behaves aggressively with a poor prognosis. We established two novel cell lines derived from UPSC designated HEC-155 and HEC-180. Both cell lines have been growing steadily in monolayer cultures for over ten years. Overexpression of p53, Ki67 and p27 was detected in both cell lines by immunohistochemistry. Using a DNA sequencing technique, a point mutation of p53 was detected in exon 8, codon 286 in HEC-155 and in exon 6, codon 195 in HEC-180. These newly established cell lines should be useful for investigating the characteristics of UPSC.

Biopsy, Needle↗