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Biomedical subjects

K Maruyama

Publications and source records attributed to K Maruyama.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Amino acid supplementation affects hematological and biochemical parameters in elite rugby players.

Individual amino acid supplementation affects various types of athletic performance. However, little information on combinations of amino acids is currently available. This study evaluated an amino acid mixture containing L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-valine, L-arginine, and L-glutamine to 3.6 g of total amino acids per dose. Twenty-three rugby players were given 3.6 g, twice, daily of the amino acid mixture for 90 days (June-August 1994) and blood samples were collected for analyses in September 1993, March 1994, September 1994, and September 1995. After 90 days of supplementation, almost all of the athletes reported improvement in vigor and earlier recovery from fatigue. Significant increases (P<0.05) were observed in hemoglobin, RBC count, hematocrit, and serum iron by amino acid supplementation. Significant increases (P<0.05) were also noted in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein along with decreased (P<0.05) alkaline phosphatase. All values reverted to original levels when measured after one year of continued training without supplementation.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Cloning, sequencing, and expression of the gene encoding 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-oxoglutarate aldolase from Pseudomonas ochraceae NGJ1.

A DNA fragment that carried the gene (proA) encoding 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-oxoglutarate aldolase was cloned from the chromosomal DNA of Pseudomonas ochraceae NGJ1, and the coding region was assigned to the nucleotide sequence based on the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the enzyme purified from the organism. The proA gene was 684 bp long, corresponding to a protein of 227 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of 24,067 Da. The genes encoding a putative transporter and a 4-oxalomesaconate hydratase were upstream, and a 3'-truncated gene encoding 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylate lactonase was downstream from the proA gene in the same orientation on the DNA fragment. The proA gene product was overproduced in Escherichia coli and briefly purified to homogeneity from the crude extract by a two-step purification. The molecular and catalytic properties of the gene product were similar to those of the P. ochraceae enzyme.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Changes in hematological parameters of athletes after receiving daily dose of a mixture of 12 amino acids for one month during the middle- and long-distance running training.

Previous studies have shown that a mixture of amino acids, consisting of 9 essential amino acids and 3 non-essential amino acids was effective in facilitating muscle recovery from athletic activities. In this study, the objective was to determine whether this amino acid mixture improved the physical condition and associated blood parameters of athletes in training when administered for a prolonged period. Thirteen college middle- and long-distance runners were placed in a 6-month experiment and received the amino acid mixture at the dose of 2.2 g/day for one month, 4.4 g/day for one month, and 6.6 g/day for one month with washout periods between test periods. The physical condition was scored and blood samples were collected before and after each test period. When the subjects received 2.2 g of the amino acid mixture three times a day, the physical condition was significantly improved along with increases in red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum albumin, and fasting glucose, and a decrease in creatine phophokinase (p<0.05), suggesting increased hematopoiesis and glycogenesis, and rapid alleviation of muscle inflammation by the amino acid mixture.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Superior mesenteric artery blood flow velocity in small for gestational age infants of very low birth weight during the early neonatal period.

In order to elucidate intestinal blood flow after birth in infants with intrauterine growth retardation, we measured superior mesenteric artery blood flow velocity in uncomplicated small for gestational age infants with a birth weight of < 1500 g by pulsed Doppler ultrasound in days 1 to 7 of life. Peak systolic blood flow velocity, time-averaged mean blood flow velocity and end-diastolic blood flow velocity in the superior mesenteric artery significantly increased with time. The resistance index and relative vascular resistance in the superior mesenteric artery significantly decreased after birth. Compared with gestational age matched appropriate for gestational age infants and birth weight matched appropriate for gestational age ones, peak systolic blood flow velocity, time-averaged mean blood flow velocity and end-diastolic blood flow velocity in the superior mesenteric artery were lower in the small for gestational age infants. The difference between the small for gestational age group and the gestational age matched appropriate for gestational age group was statistically significant. The resistance index and relative vascular resistance in the superior mesenteric artery tend to be higher in the small for gestational age group than in the appropriate for gestational age groups. In conclusion, although intestinal blood flow velocity in infants with intrauterine growth retardation increases after birth, it is lower than appropriate for gestational age infants during the early neonatal period.

Aging↗
PubMed2001

Hypocarbia in preterm infants with periventricular leukomalacia: the relation between hypocarbia and mechanical ventilation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to elucidate the relationship between mechanical ventilation and hypocarbia in infants with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). STUDY DESIGN: Matched pair analysis was conducted for 26 infants with PVL and 26 with normal development, who were born between 27 and 32 weeks' gestational age and required mechanical ventilation. The time-averaged carbon dioxide (CO(2)) index, PaCO(2), and pH were calculated every 24 hours for samples obtained from indwelling arterial catheters within the first 72 hours of life. The time-averaged respiratory rate of the ventilator (RR), peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), mean airway pressure (MAP), and ventilator index (VI) were also determined. The time-averaged total respiratory rate (TRR) was determined by observing the movement of the chest wall. The patients' characteristics, antenatal and neonatal variables, and electroencephalographic findings were also compared. RESULTS: The time-averaged CO(2) index was larger, the time-averaged CO(2) lower and the time-averaged pH higher in infants with PVL than in those with normal development on the third day of life. There was no significant difference in the time-averaged RR, PIP, MAP, or VI on any day. TRR was larger in the PVL group than in the control group on each day, but there was no significant difference. No significant difference was observed in the clinical characteristics or neonatal variables. Electroencephalographic abnormalities within 48 hours of life were more frequent in infants with PVL than in those with normal development. CONCLUSION: Hypocarbia was associated with PVL because the time-averaged CO(2) index was larger and the time-averaged PaCO(2) lower in infants with PVL than in those with normal development. However, the ventilator settings were similar among the infants with and without PVL.

Blood Gas Analysis↗
PubMed2001

Reversibility of hepatic fibrosis: from the first report of collagenase in the liver to the possibility of gene therapy for recovery.

Since the authors reported the presence of collagenase in the liver as well as its increased activity in the early stage of hepatic fibrosis and its reduced activity in advanced fibrosis in rats induced by chronic CCl4 intoxication, in baboons fed alcohol chronically and in patients with alcoholic fibrosis, other investigators have demonstrated the same tendency of collagenase activity biologically and histochemically. Very recently, the authors demonstrated definite gene expression of collagenase during the recovery from experimental hepatic fibrosis using Northern blotting and in situ hybridization. The findings of in situ hybridization not only demonstrated the cells expressing collagenase, but also suggested much information on the mechanism of the recovery from fibrosis. Hepatic stellate cells play a key role not only in fibrogenesis but also in fibrolysis. The authors' recent observation revealed that collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13)) gene expression appears very early in the process of recovery from liver fibrosis, and that both stellate cells and hepatocytes express MMP-13. Recovery from liver cirrhosis requires the gene expression of collagenase, increased production of the collagenase enzyme, and activation of the enzyme balanced with the specific inhibitors of collagenase. The understanding of molecular mechanisms of MMP-1 gene expression which is under investigation in our laboratory may provide us a new strategy for the treatment of liver fibrosis including the possibility of gene therapy.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Serum transthyretin monomer in patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy.

Although dissociation of the transthyretin (TTR) tetramer is suspected of being the first step in amyloid fibril formation in hereditary TTR amyloidosis, including familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), the TTR monomer has never been examined in vivo. Therefore, we analyzed the TTR monomer in the serum of FAP patients and normal individuals. Free TTR monomer was detected in both groups using gel filtration chromatography and immunoblotting. Both the mean concentration of free TTR monomer and the total serum TTR were significantly lower in FAP patients than in normal individuals. Moreover, in FAP patients, mass spectrometry showed that the variant TTR monomer was markedly decreased compared with the wild-type TTR monomer. These findings suggest that the free variant TTR monomer is unstable in serum, and that it aggregates in deposits in various organs or is adsorbed by preexisting amyloid fibrils before it is degraded

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Contrivance for frozen section diagnosis of early minute lung cancer during operation].

We reported the technique of pathological diagnosis for minute lung cancer lesion of early stage during operation. Target lesion for our technique may be less than 1 cm in size and not be detected by palpation. Our technique may superior to usual method of frozen section of tissue specimen without fixation. At first, resected lung specimen was fixed by injection of 20% formalin solution subsequent warming by microwave oven for 40 seconds. Almost all lesions may be detected in proper thickness of specimen. Specimen was washed out and steeped in the 20% of sucrose solution for 30 to 60 seconds in order to avoid crystallization of water that was contained within lung specimen. Then thin sliced section of specimen was made by Cryostat in usual method. The minute cancer lesion was able to detect more easy than usual method of making frozen section of specimen. Formalin fixed and sucrose steeped frozen section may be able to evaluate the surgical margin from cancer exactly than the section made by non-fixed specimen.

Frozen Sections↗
PubMed2001

[Problems of international standardization of gastric cancer surgery].

Treatment results of gastric cancer patients differ considerably between Japan and the West, even at the same stage of disease. This may be partly explained by the varying extent of local control and the "stage-migration" theory. There is an important conceptual difference concerning lymphadenopathy and lymphadenectomy: Japanese surgeons believe that lymph nodes are the governors of metastatic disease and thus that lymphadenectomy will result in cure, while in the West lymph nodes are seen merely as the indicators of systemic metastasis and thus lymphadenectomy serves only for staging. The UICC TNM system has recently abandoned the anatomical N-classification and adopted the numeric N-classification. Although this is a good prognostic indicator, it does not provide surgeons with any information for surgical decision-making. Japanese surgeons will continue to use the Japanese classification that has served as a guideline for standard D2 lymphadenectomy. To establish an international standard for gastric cancer treatment, both sides should make efforts to understand each other and discuss most practical and beneficial treatment modalities for patients in the respective medical environments.

Gastrectomy↗
PubMed2001

[A patient with esophageal cancer with subcutaneal abscess and esophago-tracheal fistula who survived more than 2 years following treatment by drainage and chemoradiation therapy].

A 48-year-old man presented at the hospital because of neck swelling and pain. A diagnosis of esophageal cancer with subcutaneous abscess was made based on examination and biopsy results. The cancer was Ce T4NxMx Stage III-IVa. Curative surgery was considered impossible, so chemoradiation therapy was performed (5-FU 500 mg + CDDP 5 mg/day + 2 Gy/day x 31 days) after drainage. During the therapy, an esophago-tracheal fistula was observed, but it later vanished. After chemoradiation therapy, the abscess and tumor vanished. No serious adverse reactions were observed. Now, 2 years after therapy, no recurrence has been found. The patient is now in good health with no symptoms and undergoes regular check-ups. Chemoradiation therapy is effective for inoperable advanced esophageal cancer.

Abscess↗
PubMed2001

[Diagnosis of the postoperative local recurrence of rectal cancer by FDG-PET--a case report].

Positron emission tomography (PET) using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) as the tracer of glucose metabolism was performed to identify a postoperative recurrent lesion of rectal cancer. A 66-year-old-man underwent trans-sacral local resection of the rectum for rectal cancer in 1992. A local recurrent mass was discovered, and abdomino-perineal resection of the rectum was performed in 1999. The serum CEA level increased gradually August in 2000, but there was no sign of recurrence on CT or MRI. FDG-PET was performed to reveal a presacral recurrent lesion. Total pelvic evisceration combined with resection of the sacrum, and a bilateral ureterostomy were performed in April 2001. The beneficial role of FDG-PET in the diagnosis of the postoperative local recurrence of rectal cancer is emphasized.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2001

[A case of recurring breast cancer causing pericardial metastasis showing a good response following local treatment with methotrexate].

A 52-year-old woman was admitted with a chief complaint of dyspnea. She had undergone right mastectomy for Stage IIB breast cancer 2 years and five months earlier. Chest roentgenogram revealed cardiomegaly and bilateral pleural effusion, and a cardiac echogram showed marked retention of pericardial effusion. A diagnosis of cardiac tamponade was made and pericardiocentesis for continuous drainage was carried out cytologically, the effusion was class V and showed evidence of pericardial metastasis of breast cancer. Pericardiocentesis followed by methotrexate instillation 6 times in a dose of 110 mg successfully controlled the cardiac tamponade, after which the catheter could be removed from the pericardial space. Systemic chemotherapy (CEF) was started at the same time. The patient was discharged very much improved after these treatments, but she died of brain metastasis after 9 months. This case suggests that intrapericardial application of methotrexate may be very useful in the management of carcinomatous cardiac tamponade without any serious side effects.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic↗
PubMed2001

[Assessment of tasting disorder in alcoholics].

To clarify the influence of chronic and excessive alcohol consumption on gustatory function, we examined taste functions of 20 male alcoholics by total oral gustometry using salty, sweet, sour, bitter and glutamate solutions. As results, all patients showed markedly impaired taste in all kinds of solutions comparing with age and sex matched healthy persons, nevertheless none of them recognized their impaired taste. Serum zinc levels of all patients were within reference range, but the most of them were within lower part of reference level. Although average serum zinc level increased significantly after 5 weeks of admission, serum zinc level showed no significant correlation with taste function. From these findings, we concluded that alcoholics had impaired taste functions probably due to impaired peripheral nervous system.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[A lumbosacral cord infarction causing focally accentuated atrophy of the peroneal muscles].

We report focally accentuated atrophy in a muscle due to a cryptogenic lumbosacral infarction. A 56-year-old female rapidly developed left-dominant weakness of lower thigh muscles, sensory loss of all modalities in the L5 and sacral dermatomes, and difficulty in voiding. MRI performed on day 9 showed gadolinium-enhanced lesions in the epiconus. The anterior horn lesion was most prominent in the left side of the epiconus. After one and a half months, the left lower thigh muscles became atrophic especially in the proximal part of the anterior lower thigh. After 4 months, on T2-weighted images, atrophy and high intensities were accentuated in the proximal part of the anterior lower thigh muscles where denervation potentials were abundant. A topographic relationship has been documented between the locus of a motor neuron in the anterior horn column and the position of its motor unit in the muscle. We consider that the distribution of denervation changes on muscle MRI corresponded with the anterior horn lesion on spinal MRI in our case.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease↗
PubMed2001

[Spontaneous improvement of subacute exacerbation in a case of sensory ataxic neuropathy associated with Sjögren's syndrome].

We reported a 66-year-old man with Sjögren's syndrome (sicca syndrome) presenting a sensory ataxic neuropathy, which showed spontaneous remission. He developed difficulty in standing and walking during recent several months. Neurological examinations showed sensory ataxia with areflexia in all extremities and mild distal-dominant decrease in the superficial sensation. Laboratory examinations of blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid were all unremarkable; the blood levels of vitamin B1, B2, B6 and B12 were low normal. Sensory nerve action potentials and somatosensory evoked potentials were absent. Cervical cord MRI revealed no abnormal signals. Severe loss of myelinated fibers and scattered myelin ovoids were seen in sural nerve biopsy. Tentative diagnosis at admission was subacute sensory neuropathy associated with malignancy. Screening examinations for malignancy were undertaken and all revealed negative. Because of coexisting sicca symptoms and positive Shirmer test (0 mm), a lip biopsy was performed and a diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome was confirmed. Sensory ataxia improved gradually. Two years later, blood B1 levels were low but he remained able to walk. This case is an uncommon example of spontaneous symptomatic remission in sensory ataxic neuropathy associated with Sjögren's syndrome.

Aged↗