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Biomedical subjects

K Miyake

Publications and source records attributed to K Miyake.

733 records · Page 41Linked to original sources

Hepatitis A, B and C seroprevalence in Pakistan.

A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of Hepatitis A, B, and C virus in healthy Pakistani children. HAV IgG antibody was assayed in 258 subjects and it was found that 94% children by 5 years of age had HAV IgG-antibody. The overall seroprevalence of HAV IgG antibody was 55.8% and IgM 5.3%. HBVsAb levels assayed in 236 healthy children showed a seroprevalence of 2.97%. Similarly, HCV antibody seroprevalence was found to be a low 0.44% in healthy children. HAV is a major cause of Hepatitis, as compared to HBV and HCV which are of low endemicity.

Adolescent↗

Quantitative and qualitative biochemical parameters for alcohol abuse.

Blood from alcoholics, non-alcoholic patients and healthy controls were analyzed for various biochemical markers. Follow-up measurements were made during about 3 months of abstention. While a gradual increase in aldehyde dehydrogenase activity (ALDH) in red cell was noted in alcoholic patients serum alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) values returned to normal range within 8 weeks during abstinence. An additional minor band for alpha 1-antitrypsin (AAT) was observed after isoelectric focusing of sera from alcoholics; this band disappeared after 3 weeks of abstinence. However, no such unusual AAT band was found in non-alcoholic patients with liver disorders.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Comparison of diclofenac and fluorometholone in preventing cystoid macular edema after small incision cataract surgery: a multicentered prospective trial.

PURPOSE: To compare a nonsteroidal topical solution (0.1% diclofenac) to a steroidal topical solution (0.1% fluorometholone) in preventing cystoid macular edema (CME) and disruption of the blood-aqueous barrier. METHODS: A multicentered, prospective clinical trial was performed on eyes undergoing phacoemulsification followed by implantation of a foldable acrylic intraocular lens by the envelope technique. The presence and degree of cystoid macula edema (CME) was determined by fluorescein angiography. A breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier was determined by laser flare-cell photometry. RESULTS: Five weeks after surgery, CME was present in 3 of 53 eyes (5.7%) receiving diclofenac and in 29 of 53 eyes (54.7%) receiving fluorometholone. This difference was statistically significant (P < .001). The amount of flare in the anterior chamber at 3 days, 1, 2, 5, and 8 weeks after surgery was also significantly lower (P < .01-P < .001) in the diclofenac group. The degree of flare at 3 days, 1, 2, 5, and 8 weeks after surgery was significantly higher in eyes with CME (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that diclofenac effectively prevents CME following cataract surgery and that CME is closely related to the breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier.

Aged↗

The development of close relationships in Japan and the United States: paths of symbiotic harmony and generative tension.

Findings from research on parent-child and adult mate relationships suggest that there are different paths of development in Japan and the United States. In Japan, the path is one of symbiotic harmony, as seen in the emphasis on union in infancy, others' expectations in childhood, the stability of relationships with parents and peers in adolescence, and assurance about the mate relationship in adulthood. In the United States, the path is one of generative tension, as seen in the tug between separation and reunion in infancy, the emphasis on personal preferences in childhood, the transfer of closeness from parents to peers in adolescence, and the emphasis on trust-a faith and hope in new relationships-in adulthood. The notion that there are different paths of development challenges Western investigators' presumption that certain processes-separation-individuation, use of the relational partner as a secure base for exploration, and conflict between partners-are central in all relationships. The notion of different paths also challenges the assumption of many cross-cultural investigators that relationships in the United States are less valued or weaker than those in Japan; this article highlights cultural differences in the meaning and dynamics, as opposed to the importance and strength, of relationships. The model suggests a need to investigate the processes underlying, and the adaptive consequences of, these two alternative paths.

Adolescent↗

Trade-offs in the study of culture and development: theories, methods, and values.

The commentators are unanimous in their support for our general orientation to culture and development, and for the pathways we have identified, and they suggest ways to enrich our approach to theory, methods, and values. We view their main suggestions as relating to trade-offs: between theories that highlight generalizations or exceptions; between methods that rely on one-, two-, or multiculture studies; and between values involving individuation or accommodation. Here, we describe ways to find an optimal balance in each instance.

Adult↗

Comparison of artery-ligating and artery-preserving varicocelectomy: effect on post-operative spermatogenesis.

To evaluate the effects of ligature of the internal spermatic artery at varicocelectomy on fertility, we conducted a prospective randomized study for comparison of two surgical methods (artery-ligated and artery-preserved). A total of 66 infertile patients with palpable varicocele was randomly assigned to an artery-ligated or artery-preserved group at varicocelectomy and the change in seminal characteristics and testis volume was prospectively investigated. Sperm density and motility improved significantly in the artery-ligated group. There was significant improvement in sperm density in the artery-preserved group, but motility did not reach the level of statistical significance in this group. The significant change in testis volume was not observed in both groups. Seven (23.3%) of 30 patients in the artery-ligated group and 5 (13.9%) of 36 men in the artery-preserved group managed to impregnate their partners. The difference was not statistically significant. In spite of the advocative advantage of artery preservation, our present study did not show any significant difference between artery-ligating and artery-preserving varicocelectomy when improvements in semen quality and pregnancy rate were assessed. Thus, artery-ligated varicocelectomy is warranted with regard to post-operative fertility in the patients with clinical varicocele.

Adult↗

Detection of anti-interferon-alpha 2a antibodies in chronic liver disease.

The occurrence of antibodies to interferon-alpha 2a (anti-IFN-alpha 2a) to recombinant human IFN-alpha 2a was examined in chronic liver disease by a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Naturally occurring IgG and/or IgM anti-IFN-alpha 2a were found in one of 12 cases of chronic persistent hepatitis, four of 18 cases of chronic active hepatitis (CAH), two of 12 cases of liver cirrhosis, six of seven cases of primary biliary cirrhosis, nine of 11 cases of auto-immune CAH and none of 21 normal control subjects. Fifteen patients with viral CAH were treated with recombinant IFN-alpha 2a. Two of them were positive prior to receipt of IFN-alpha 2a and their titres increased after the therapy. Two patients became positive for anti-IFN-alpha 2a after the therapy. Absorption experiments revealed that anti-IFN-alpha 2a cross-reacted with native human leucocyte IFN-alpha and recombinant IFN-alpha 2b but not with recombinant IFN-beta and -gamma. The immunoblotting experiment confirmed the binding of antibodies to IFN. The results of anti-IFN-alpha 2a obtained by antiviral, cytopathic effect assay were in good agreement with those of IgG anti-IFN-alpha 2a, but not with those of IgM antibodies obtained by the ELISA. The ELISA described in the present study is a simple, sensitive and quantitative assay for anti-IFN-alpha 2a. It should be useful in assessing sub-specificities of anti-IFN and provide valuable information to predict the effect of IFN therapy and to elucidate the immunological abnormality in liver disease.

Antibodies↗

Human chorionic gonadotropin adjuvant therapy for patients with Leydig cell dysfunction after varicocelectomy.

The authors treated 135 men who underwent varicocelectomy, but had sustained Leydig cell dysfunction disclosed by LHRH test with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). hCG was administered for 10 weeks: 50,000 units were given in 10 divided doses intramuscularly. Semen analysis and measurement of serum hormone level were obtained 8 weeks after the completion of treatment, and every 3 months after that. All patients were followed up for 2 years to confirm pregnancy. Fifty-five percent of patients achieved pregnancy and they showed significant increase in sperm density, percentage of sperm motility, normal form sperm, and serum testosterone level. It is recommended that hCG be administered to patients who undergo varicocelectomy but have persistent subtle Leydig cell dysfunction disclosed by LHRH test to stimulate the intratesticular testosterone production.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗

Microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration versus epididymal micropuncture with perivascular nerve stimulation for intracytoplasmic sperm injection to treat unreconstructable obstructive azoospermia.

A novel sperm collection method by epididymal micropuncture combined with perivascular nerve stimulation has been developed to obtain as many clean sperm as possible for IVF for patients with surgically irreparable vasal obstruction. To assess whether the new technique could improve the fertilization and pregnancy rates obtained when attempting microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) to retrieve epididymal sperm from such patients, a prospective randomized comparative study was conducted. Twenty-nine cycles of conventional MESA with ICSI were performed on 25 couples with congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) and four failed vasovasostomy cases (group 1). Thirty cycles of epididymal micropuncture with nerve stimulation with ICSI were performed on 28 couples with CBAVD and two failed epididymovasostomy cases (group 2). The mean volume of epididymal fluid and sperm motility in group 2 was significantly higher than that in group 1 (p < .001). Both fertilization and pregnancy rates in group 2 were significantly higher than those in group 1 (p < .001 and p < .03). This novel epididymal sperm collection method for ICSI can provide significantly higher fertilization and pregnancy rates than conventional MESA for ICSI.

Cytoplasm↗

Adeno-associated virus vector-mediated anti-angiogenic gene therapy for collagen-induced arthritis in mice.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to determine the utility of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors for anti-angiogenic gene therapy in a mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). METHODS: CIA mice were generated by immunization with bovine type-II collagen and Freund's complete adjuvant. AAV vectors containing angiostatin and enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) expression units (AAV-Ang/GFP) or the GFP and neomycin phosphotransferase (NeoR) expression units (AAV-GFP/NeoR) were injected into mouse knee joints before development of arthritis. The expression of transgenes was confirmed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunostaining, and the incidence and severity of arthritis was determined histologically via assessment of synovial hyperplasia, cartilage erosion and bone erosion. Vascularity in the knee joint was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining with anti-von Willebrand factor antibody. RESULTS: AAV vectors were capable of efficient gene transfer into chondrocytes and synovial cells, and the extent of synovial hyperplasia and other parameters of arthritis were significantly reduced in the knee joints injected with AAV-Ang/GFP compared with the joints treated with either AAV-GFP/NeoR or phosphate-buffered solution (PBS). Reduction in the number of vessels was confirmed in AAV-Ang/GFP-treated joints. CONCLUSION: AAV-vector-mediated local expression of angiostatin efficiently inhibited the development of collagen-induced arthritis in the treated joint. Anti-angiogenic gene therapy using AAV vector may provide a new approach for the effective treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗

Scanning electron microscopic study on the shape of infertile seminiferous tubules: a hypothesis of pathogenesis of idiopathic male infertility.

The shape of infertile seminiferous tubules was studied on testicular biopsied specimens from patients with idiopathic male infertility using the scanning electron microscope. A parallel study of the same sections was performed by ordinary light microscopy. Normal seminiferous tubules were revealed to be shaped like a weaving cylinder, whereas infertile seminiferous tubules were strangulated in various places, or appeared similar to a tail-like rope which became gradually more slender. These strangulated or slender parts of tubules seemed to correspond to the smaller tubules with thickened tubular walls that were recognized under the light microscope. It is suggested that these thickened tubular walls suppress spermatogenesis by a nutritional disturbance, and the strangulations of infertile tubules interfere with sperm transport by tubular blockage or germinal disorganization and interrupted contractions of the tubules.

Adult↗

Beneficial effect on nebracetam on energy metabolism after microsphere-induced embolism in rat brain.

The present study was undertaken to examine the possible therapeutic effects on nebracetam on the energy metabolism of rat brain regions in microsphere-induced, sustained ischemia. Microsphere embolism was induced by injection of 900 microspheres (48 microns in diameter) into the right internal carotid artery of rats, and changes in the energy metabolism of the cerebral cortex, striatum and hippocampus of the right hemisphere were determined without and with nebracetam treatment. Microsphere embolism induced increases in lactate and glucose contents and decreases of ATP and creatine phosphate contents in these regions, suggesting that sustained impairment of cerebral energy metabolism occurred. These changes were gradually reversed with time after the operation. Treatment of microsphere-injected rats with 30 mg/kg of nebracetam, p.o., twice a day, was started one day after the onset of cerebral ischemia. The effects of treatment with nebracetam on cerebral energy metabolites were determined on the 3rd and 7th day after operation. Treatment of microsphere-injected rats with nebracetam significantly improved these variables on the 3rd day after the onset of ischemia, but the improvement was small on the 7th day, except for reversal of the hippocampal ATP content. These results suggest that nebracetam is a possible therapeutic agent for the restoration of cerebral energy metabolism against microsphere-induced, sustained cerebral ischemia.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗