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Biomedical subjects

K Mori

Publications and source records attributed to K Mori.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Management of idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus: a multiinstitutional study conducted in Japan.

OBJECT: A cooperative study was undertaken to identify factors that could be used to predict a favorable outcome after extracranial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion (shunting) in patients with suspected idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). METHODS: Questionnaires concerning patients with suspected idiopathic NPH were sent to 14 members of the Committee for Scientific Research on Intractable Hydrocephalus, sponsored by the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan. After the questionnaires were returned, a retrospective analysis of the responses was undertaken. To be included in the study, patients had to be 65 years of age or older and had to have undergone surgery between October 1995 and October 1998. Clinical measures included degrees of gait disturbance, dementia, and urinary incontinence as evaluated before. 3 months after, and 3 years after shunt placement. Diagnostic tests in various combinations included lumbar puncture in which CSF was withdrawn; intracranial pressure monitoring; measurements of CSF outflow resistance, level of serum alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, cerebral arteriovenous differences of oxygen content, and cerebral blood flow; and computerized tomography cisternography. In this study, 120 patients were identified as having idiopathic NPH and these patients underwent placement of shunts. A ventriculoperitoneal shunt with a programmable valve was used in two thirds of the patients. At the end of 3 months (early assessment), there was an 80% overall rate of clinical improvement, which dropped to 73.3% of the 105 patients who could be evaluated at the end of the 3-year study. Of the three variables, gait disturbance was most improved, both at early and late testing periods. Shunt complications occurred in 22 (18.3%) of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patients suspected of having idiopathic NPH did not form a homogeneous group, making it difficult to select those who would most likely respond to CSF diversion. Of the diagnostic studies, the most reliable result was improvement in clinical symptoms following a lumbar puncture in which CSF was withdrawn. The use of a programmable valve is recommended because it offers advantages in preventing problems of over- and underdrainage.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Evidence for involvement of central 5-HT(4) receptors in cholinergic function associated with cognitive processes: behavioral, electrophysiological, and neurochemical studies.

The possible involvement of 5-HT(4) receptors in cognitive function was investigated with a view toward modulating the cholinergic neuronal system. For this purpose, behavioral, electrophysiological, and neurochemical studies were performed in rats. The behavioral study, using a passive avoidance test, demonstrated that the 5-HT(4) receptor agonist SC 53116 (10 microg/rat i.c.v.) had an ameliorative effect on the muscarinic receptor antagonist scopolamine-induced (1 mg/kg i.p.) impairment of learning. The electrophysiological study showed that SC 53116 (1 and 10 microg/rat i.c.v.) enhanced the population spike amplitude in the hippocampal CA1 field evoked by Schaffer collateral stimulation. SC 53116 (10 microg/rat i.c.v.) also augmented the tetanus-induced long-term potentiation (LTP). This augmented LTP was blocked not only by the selective 5-HT(4) receptor antagonist GR 113808 (20 microg/rat i.c.v.) but also by scopolamine (1 mg/kg i.p.). These findings suggest that the functional interaction between the serotonergic system mediated via 5-HT(4) receptors and the cholinergic system associated with cognitive processes exists in vivo. This possibility was further strengthened by neurochemical study using in vivo microdialysis; local administration of SC 53116 (10 and 100 microM) concentration-dependently enhanced the extracellular levels of acetylcholine (ACh) in the hippocampus. SC 53116-induced (10 microM) facilitation of ACh release was prevented by coperfusion of GR 113808 (10 microM). Taken together, the present findings obtained by these different approaches indicate the possibility that the 5-HT(4) receptors are involved in cognitive impairment induced by the cholinergic neuronal system.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed2001

[Evaluation of computer-assisted diagnosis of small pulmonary nodules using contrast-enhanced dynamic helical CT].

Dynamic helical computed tomography(DH-CT) was performed to examine 45 lesions(23 lung cancers, 2 pulmonary metastasis, and 20 benign nodules) as an application of computer-assisted qualitative analysis of small pulmonary nodules. Based on the three-dimensional(3D) CT image data, the internal structure of the nodule was assessed quantitatively and temporal changes were evaluated. The entire lesion was examined by helical scanning with a beam width of 2 mm(pitch of 1) before contrast enhancement and 2 and 4 minutes after contrast enhancement. Using the digital CT data, the pixels inside the nodules were quantified based on a combination of CT values and 3D curvature in order to differentiate between benign(BN) and malignant nodules (MN). (The numeral score abovementioned was calculated.) The average scores for BN 2 and 4 minutes were -5.72 and -12.8, respectively, and those for MN were 5.51 and 12.0, respectively(p < 0.01). Assuming that a score of 0 or higher indicates a MN based on the CT data 4 minutes. In conclusion, 3D computer-assisted analysis of the internal structure of small pulmonary nodules using contrast-enhanced DH-CT was found to be effective for differentiating between benign and malignant nodules.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Adverse effects of beta-blocker eye drops on the ocular surface].

PURPOSE: We investigated the adverse effects of beta-blocker eye drops on tears and ocular surface epithelium. METHODS: We studied twenty-three eyes of twenty three glaucoma patients [10 males, 13 females: 53.8 +/- 12.2 (yrs; mean +/- standard deviation)] treated with beta-blocker eye drops for more than three months and thirty two control subjects (16 males, 16 females: 50.4 +/- 10.9). The parameters described below were compared between the groups: 1. the radius of tear meniscus curvature, 2. grades for tear lipid layer interference patterns, 3. non-invasive breakup time (N-BUT), 4. cotton thread value, 5. scores of fluorescein staining, 6. fluorescein breakup time (F-BUT), 7. scores of rose bengal staining, 8. and Schirmer I value. RESULTS: The glaucoma group showed a significant decrease in the radius of tear meniscus curvature (p = 0.0007), a significantly lower distribution in the grades for tear lipid layer interference patterns (p = 0.0270), a significant difference in the scores of fluorescein staining (p < 0.0001), a significant shortening in F-BUT (p = 0.0050), a significantly higher distribution in the scores of rose Bengal staining (p = 0.0010), and a significantly smaller value in Schirmer I value (p = 0.0042). However, there was no significant difference in N-BUT and cotton thread value. CONCLUSIONS: These results clearly demonstrate that the ocular surface in glaucoma patients treated with beta-blocker eye drops show dry-eye-like changes in terms of tears and ocular surface epithelium.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed2001

[Virtual bronchoscope system].

In this article, we describe the features of Virtual Bronchoscope System(VBS) and its practical use. VBS is constructed based on 3-D chest CT images. The bronchus region is automatically extracted from 3-D chest CT images by a three-dimensional region growing method. The surface rendering is employed for construction of virtualized tracheo-bronchial tree. It gives us an environment where we can observe inside the bronchi from an arbitrary viewpoint and a view direction. By mouse operation, the user can control the viewpoint and the view direction to fly through inside the airway in real time. VBS is applicable for a variety of purposes such as diagnosis, surgical planning, informed consent, education and training. One of extension of this system is a teaching tool for medical students. In the module for educational use, we have developed four functions for using the system as a teaching tool as follows: (a) automated display of bronchial anatomical names, (b) presenting questions about the currently observed branch in the endoscopic view, (c) display of the path which the user should follow, and (d) display of a question about the location of the artificially created tumor in the bronchus. These functions use the processed results of automated anatomical labeling. The method proposed here combines the knowledge based processing technique 'automated labeling of bronchial branch' and the novel visualization technique 'virtual bronchoscope'. This is one of new teaching tools of medical images. We conclude that this virtual bronchoscope system might have an important role in the medial students' education.

Bronchi↗
PubMed2001

[Effect of latanoprost on the barrier function of corneal epithelium].

PURPOSE: We evaluated the effect on corneal epithelium barrier function of instillation of prostaglandin F2 alpha ophthalmic solution (latanoprost) for one month. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten healthy volunteers and nine glaucoma patients were enrolled in this study. The barrier function was determined as uptake of topically applied sodium fluorescein by the central cornea measured with an anterior fluorophotometer(FL-500, Kowa Co. Ltd). Healthy volunteers and glaucoma patients received 0.005% latanoprost instillation once daily for one month. We measured the uptake of fluorescein by the cornea of each subject before and one month after instillation. RESULTS: Fluorescein uptake before the instillation was 22.2 +/- 16.0 ng/ml (mean +/- standard deviation) and 26.4 +/- 15.1 ng/ml one month after the treatment in the normal group, and it was 55.0 +/- 25.0 ng/ml before treatment and 57.8 +/- 37.0 ng/ml after treatment in the glaucoma group. There was no significant difference in the uptake of fluorescein before and after treatment in either of two groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that the barrier function of corneal epithelium was not compromised after the instillation of latanoprost for at least one month.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[A proposed cooperation system between physicians in private practice and hospitals to prevent neglect of poor prognostic cases with mild urinary abnormalities].

Some outpatients with only mild urinary abnormalities have histologically active lesions. To prevent the progression of these lesions, they should not be overlooked at the initial diagnosis. For this purpose, I propose a new system of diagnostic cooperation between physicians in private practice and hospitals. A 50-year-old male showed proteinuria([symbol: see text]), occult blood([symbol: see text]), and one granular and red cell cast in the total fields in spot urine samples, a 24 hr urinary protein of 0.17 g, a serum creatinine of 1.2 mg/dl and a mean blood pressure of 112 mmHg at the first examination. Four months after the administration of an ACE-inhibitor, the urinary protein decreased to 0.04 g while the serum creatinine level increased to 1.5 mg/dl. Therefore, a biopsy was performed at Kyoto University Hospital. Twenty-one glomeruli were obtained revealing 6 with global sclerosis and 13 proliferative glomeruli, including 3 with crescentic and 4 with adhesive lesions. In addition, interstitial cell infiltration was observed. After treatment for active blomeruli lesions using prednisolone and warfarin, the 24 hr urinary protein decreased to 0 g and serum creatinine to 1.2 mg/dl, Since a correlation between the relative volume of the renal cortical interstitial involvement and the serum creatinine concentration has been reported, the possibility of glomerular-interstitial interaction was considered. Thus, to prevent the neglect of patients with apparently mild disease associated with a poor prognosis, I propose the establishment of a system of diagnostic cooperation consisting of physicians in private practice, general hospitals and central hospitals that can provide appropriate treatment principles and give instructions for patients with mild urinary abnormalities encountered in daily practice.

Biopsy↗
PubMed2001

[Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the autistic brain].

To evaluate brain dysfunction in autism, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) was performed for 29 autistic patients (5-15 y.o.) and 19 normal children (6-14 y.o.). We obtained magnetic resonance (MR) spectra of the left and right amygdaloid-hippocampal regions and the left cerebellar hemisphere with a STEAM sequence (TR = 5000 ms, TE = 18 ms). In addition to the evaluation of signal intensity ratios, the absolute concentration of three major metabolites (N-acetylaspartate [NAA], creatine/phosphocreatine [Cr] and choline-containing substances [Cho]) was quantified by an internal reference method using unsuppressed tissue water. Although no abnormal MR images were found in the three regions examined, the signal intensity and the concentration of NAA in the left amygdaloid-hippocampal region and the left cerebellar hemisphere were reduced significantly in autistic patients compared to normal children. We speculated that this decrease in NAA reflected neuronal loss, immaturity or hypofunction in these regions. The results of our study were in agreement with those of previous studies on autism, one by neuropathological methods and the other using a single photon emission computed tomography with 99mTc HMPAO. Disorders of the amygdaloid-hippocampal region and cerebellum are considered to play an important role in the characteristic cognitive and emotional dysfunction in autism. 1H-MRS is a valuable tool to clarify the pathophysiology of autism.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Relationship between morbidity and body mass index of mariners in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Fleet Escort Force.

To establish a practical weight management program for mariners in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Fleet Escort Force, the relationship between morbidity and body mass index (BMI) was studied. To estimate morbidity, 10 medical problems were used as indices (hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia, diabetes mellitus, lung disease, heart disease, upper gastrointestinal tract disease, hypertension, renal disease, liver disease, and anemia). A curvilinear relationship was found between morbidity and BMI, in which a BMI of 17.5 was associated with the lowest morbidity. This curvilinear pattern was more complex than a curve reported previously for Japanese civilians. Using the present curve and aiming for a BMI of 17.5 will help in the design and implementation of a practical management program for health promotion in the JMSDF.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2001

[Effective combination chemotherapy using paclitaxel in the treatment of a small-cell lung cancer patient resistant to multiple drugs].

We used paclitaxel to successfully treat a patient with small-cell lung cancer resistant to multiple drugs. The patient was diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer (cT4N2M1, extensive disease) and initially treated with CDDP 80 mg/m2 (day 1) + etoposide 100 mg/m2 (day 1-3) from August 1996 (4 courses). A partial response (PR) was obtained, but there was a gradual regrowth in the primary site after 17 months. The next chemotherapy was weekly chemotherapy (CODE regimen) from May 1998 for 5 weeks, but the response was no change (NC). After the therapy, a regrowth of the primary site was observed, and a CT scan demonstrated multiple metastases of the lung and liver. From March 1999, he was administered the next chemotherapy regimen of carboplatin (CBDCA) 350 mg/m2 (day 1) + etoposide 100 mg/m2 (day 1-3) (2 courses). However, the response was NC again. From August 1999, we changed the chemotherapy regimen and administered CBDCA AUC 5 (day 1) + paclitaxel (TXL) 175 mg/m2, (day 1, 3-hour-infusion) (1 course). A chest radiograph showed an extreme shrinkage of the primary and metastatic sites. A PR was obtained, but Grade 4 neutropenia and thrombocytepenia were observed with this therapy. Thus, he was treated with TXL alone (100 mg/m2, day 1, 1-hour-infusion) in the next course. After this therapy, a chest radiograph showed a more extreme shrinkage of the primary and metastatic sites. It is suggested that combination chemotherapy using TXL is effective in the treatment of a patient with small-cell lung cancer resistant to multiple drugs.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed2001

[A case of combined paraneoplastic neurological syndrome, with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome manifesting as severe respiratory failure, and anti-Hu syndrome].

A 63-year-old man complained of rapidly progressive respiratory failure, requiring a control respiration. He subsequently, presented with muscle weakness involving the neck and all the extremities, superimposed by painful paresthesia. He was proven to carry small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Neurophysiological examinations revealed the waxing phenomenon at 30 Hz repetitive motor nerve stimulation. Positive serum autoantibodies were detected to voltage-gated calcium channel and Hu proteins. He received diagnosis of combined Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) and anti-Hu syndrome. The initial chemotherapy for SCC alleviated his respiratory and neurological symptoms. But he developed multiple cranial palsies and fatal respiratory distress two months later. There is only a few reports about LEMS complicated by respiratory failure as an initial presentation. Various clinical manifestations including respiratory failure at the onset could be best explained by the combination of LEMS and anti-Hu syndrome in this case.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗
PubMed2001

[A patient with intravascular malignant lymphomatosis presenting subacute dementia one year after sustained urinary retention and high serum LDH activity from the onset].

We report a 71-year-old man with intravascular malignant lymphomatosis who showed high serum LDH and urinary disturbance for one year before manifesting dementia. High serum LDH was found at a health check at age 70. Two months later, he had an onset of backache and urinary retention. MRI of the spinal cord was unremarkable. One year later, he showed decline of mental activities and was admitted to our hospital. He was agitated and confused. However cranial nerve palsy or limb weakness was not noted. The MRI of the brain showed T2-high signal in bilateral occipital, right temporal lobe and the left insular cortices. The abdominal CT scan showed swelling of the adrenals on both sides. Adrenal biopsy revealed diffuse large B cell lymphoma. He developed respiratory distress and he died two months after the admission. Post mortem examination revealed intravascular and extravascular proliferation of lymphoma cells in most of the internal organs including adrenals, spleen, liver and the kidneys. In the brain, the laminar necrosis was seen in the left occipital cortex and hemorrhagic infarctions were noted in the insular and temporal cortices and the medial temporal cortex. Sacral spinal cord showed necrosis of the gray matters and loss of myelinated fibers in the white matter. Intravascular proliferation of the lymphoma cells were also seen in the vessels of the brain and the spinal cord. This patient suggests the importance of survey for intravascular malignant lymphomatosis, when high serum LDH and myelopathy of lumbosacral area are seen.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Zonal organization of the mammalian main and accessory olfactory systems.

Zonal organization is one of the characteristic features observed in both main and accessory olfactory systems. In the main olfactory system, most of the odorant receptors are classified into four groups according to their zonal expression patterns in the olfactory epithelium. Each group of odorant receptors is expressed by sensory neurons distributed within one of four circumscribed zones. Olfactory sensory neurons in a given zone of the epithelium project their axons to the glomeruli in a corresponding zone of the main olfactory bulb. Glomeruli in the same zone tend to represent similar odorant receptors having similar tuning specificity to odorants. Vomeronasal receptors (or pheromone receptors) are classified into two groups in the accessory olfactory system. Each group of receptors is expressed by vomeronasal sensory neurons in either the apical or basal zone of the vomeronasal epithelium. Sensory neurons in the apical zone project their axons to the rostral zone of the accessory olfactory bulb and form synaptic connections with mitral tufted cells belonging to the rostral zone. Signals originated from basal zone sensory neurons are sent to mitral tufted cells in the caudal zone of the accessory olfactory bulb. We discuss functional implications of the zonal organization in both main and accessory olfactory systems.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Kidney produces a novel acylated peptide, ghrelin.

Ghrelin is a novel growth hormone-releasing peptide with a unique acylated structure. Here we reveal that prepro-ghrelin gene is expressed in the mouse kidney and glomerulus. We also show by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography coupled with radioimmunoassay that the mouse kidney does produce ghrelin. The ghrelin immunoreactivity in the mouse kidney is 6.79+/-0.48 fmol/mg (n=5), which is much more abundant than that in the mouse plasma of 0.339+/-0.029 fmol/microl (n=6). Furthermore, prepro-ghrelin gene is expressed in cultured rat mesangial cells, fibroblast-like NRK-49F cells and mouse podocytes, but not in rat epithelial cell-like NRK-52E cells. Ghrelin receptor gene is also expressed in the rat kidney. These findings demonstrate that the kidney, glomerulus and renal cells express prepro-ghrelin gene and ghrelin is produced locally in the kidney, and suggest the endocrine and/or paracrine roles of ghrelin in the kidney.

Acylation↗
PubMed2000

Rnd1, a novel rho family GTPase, induces the formation of neuritic processes in PC12 cells.

Rho family GTPases have been shown to be involved in the regulation of neuronal cell morphology, including neurite extension and retraction. Rho activation leads to neurite retraction and cell rounding, whereas Rac and Cdc42 are implicated in the promotion of filopodia and lamellipodia formation in growth cones and, therefore, in neurite extension. In this study, we examined the morphological role of Rnd1, a new member of Rho family GTPases, in PC12 cells, and found that expression of Rnd1 by itself caused the formation of many neuritic processes from the cell body with disruption of the cortical actin filaments, the processes having microtubules but few filamentous actin and neurofilaments. Treatment with cytochalasin D, an inhibitor of actin polymerization, could mimic the effects of expression of Rnd1, in that this inhibitor disrupted the cortical actin filaments and induced the formation of many thin processes containing microtubules. The process formation induced by Rnd1 was inhibited by dominant negative Rac1. These results suggest that Rnd1 induces the Rac-dependent neuritic process formation in part by disruption of the cortical actin filaments.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Disruption of klotho gene causes an abnormal energy homeostasis in mice.

klotho mice, which genetically lack klotho gene expression, are characterized with various systemic phenotypes resembling human aging, and also with growth retardation. Here we show that klotho mice have a barely detectable amount of the white adipose tissue but their brown adipose tissue (BAT) is comparably preserved. Glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in klotho mice are increased compared to those in wild-type mice as revealed by intraperitoneal glucose and insulin tolerance tests. Uncoupling protein-1 gene expression of BAT and body temperature in klotho mice are lower than those in wild-type mice, suggesting that klotho mice have less energy expenditure than wild-type mice. Histological examination suggests that klotho mice possess less energy storage than wild-type mice with respect to glycogen in the liver and lipid in BAT. All these changes of parameters for energy homeostasis in klotho mice are very similar to those reported under food-restricted conditions. However, the amount of food intake is not different between klotho and wild-type mice when normalized for body weight. The present study elucidates the importance of klotho gene expression for the maintenance of normal energy homeostasis.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2000

Posttransplant infusion of donor-specific blood induces immunological unresponsiveness in rat hepatic allografts.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that pretransplant donor-specific blood transfusion (DST) induces CD45RC-CD4+ T cells, Th2-like effector cells, and prolongs rat hepatic allograft survival. Our study investigated the effects of posttransplant DST on rat hepatic allograft survival. METHODS: Three days after transplantation, LEW (RT1(1)) recipient rats with ACI (RT1a) livers were injected i.v. with freshly heparinized donor-specific blood. The time kinetics of CD45RC-CD4+ and CD45RC+CD4+ T cell subsets in hepatic infiltrates were examined. RESULTS: Posttransplant DST significantly prolonged rat hepatic allograft survival. Interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-12, and IL-18 mRNA levels in hepatic allografts of untreated recipients were significantly greater than in recipients treated with posttransplant DST. However, hepatic allografts of recipients treated with posttransplant DST showed significantly higher IL-4, IL-10, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta mRNA levels than untreated recipients. The ratio of CD45RC-CD4+ T cells to CD45RC+CD4+ T cells was significantly higher in hepatic allografts treated with posttransplant DST than in untreated animals. Immunostaining with anti-rat dendritic cell (OX-62) monoclonal antibody revealed that OX-62+ cells were distributed to the splenic red pulp of animals treated with posttransplant DST and to the splenic white pulp in untreated animals. Most OX62+ cells isolated from the spleen of recipients treated with posttransplant DST expressed donor RT1Ba class II major histocompatibility complex antigens, suggesting that OX-62+ cells were of donor origin. CONCLUSION: Posttransplant DST was associated with persistent infiltration of CD45RC-CD4+ T cells, Th2-like effector cells, in rat hepatic allografts, causing immunologic unresponsiveness and establishment of microchimerism in the spleen.

Animals↗