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Biomedical subjects

K Ouchi

Publications and source records attributed to K Ouchi.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Prevalence of antibody to Chlamydia pneumoniae TWAR in japan.

Chlamydia pneumoniae TWAR is a newly recognized Chlamydia species that is a pathogen of respiratory tract infection. To clarify the endemic status of C. pneumoniae in Japan, we evaluated the incidence of C. pneumoniae antibody in 1,330 serum samples (660 from outpatients, 600 from normal individuals, and 70 from cord blood). The antibody titer was determined by a microimmunofluorescence test by using the elementary body of C. pneumoniae TW-183 as the antigen. Immunoglobulin G antibody titers of 1:32 or higher were regarded as evidence of past infection. The detection rate of C. pneumoniae antibody rapidly increased in subjects between the ages of 4 and 7 years, reached 44% in subjects between the ages of 8 and 11 years, and was about 50% in older subjects. The rate did not differ between healthy subjects and outpatients. These results suggest that C. pneumoniae infection is highly endemic in Japan as it is in Western countries. However, the antibody prevalence was high in the low age groups in Japan compared with that in Western countries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Some correlations between local anesthetic-induced convulsions and gamma-aminobutyric acid in rat spinal cord.

The effects of local anesthetics (procaine and lidocaine) on the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and L-glutamic acid (Glu) levels in rat spinal cord were studied during the convulsive process. The present study also investigated the influence of central GABA manipulations on the local anesthetic-induced convulsions. An increase in spinal GABA levels was observed at the preconvulsive and convulsive states after administration of procaine (170 mg/kg, i.p.) or lidocaine (120 mg/kg, i.p.), which induced clonic convulsions; in the depressive state, GABA levels returned to normal; in all states, Glu levels were unchanged. Semicarbazide (25-100 mg/kg, i.p.), a glutamic acid decarboxylase inhibitor, produced a decrease in spinal GABA content and strongly enhanced both local anesthetic-induced convulsions as shown by a shortening of the latency and an increase in the mortality. Aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA; 10-40 mg-kg, i.p.), a GABA transaminase inhibitor, dose-dependently increased spinal GABA content and markedly suppressed procaine-induced convulsions. However, lidocaine-induced convulsions were enhanced by AOAA. These results suggest that the spinal GABA neuron may respond to the convulsions induced by local anesthetics. Furthermore, there is a clear relationship between spinal GABA content and procaine-induced, but not lidocaine-induced, convulsions.

Aminooxyacetic Acid↗
PubMed1991

Efficacy of patient-controlled analgesia for management of pain after abdominal operations.

In order to control pain during the early post-operative period, patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with buprenorphine as an analgesic drug was applied in 23 patients undergoing abdominal operations. With this "on demand" system, the patient was allowed to self-administer narcotic analgesic medication using a programmable infusion pump. Overdose could be minimized with a mandatory lock-out interval between allowable injections. Average total requirement of buprenorphine was 0.355 mg at 48 hr after operation. Nineteen of the 23 (82.6%) patients characterized their pain control as "excellent" or "good". In these patients there existed high correlation between the total number of patient attempts and the number of successful injections. The PCA system was thought to provide improved pain relief at smaller total drug dosages. In addition, earlier and greater spontaneous physical activity was maintained with PCA therapy. The potential for overdose could be minimized, and thereby PCA appears to be an efficacious and safe method of providing for postoperative pain relief.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1991

[Hepatic resection under the Pringle maneuver induces endotoxemia and lipoperoxidative attack in the jaundiced rat liver].

Sixty percent hepatectomy under two times of the Pringle maneuver (temporal occlusion of the hepatic inflow of the hepatic artery and portal vein) for 25 min was carried out on rats with obstructive jaundice. Hepatic energy charge which was markedly decreased during the Pringle maneuver did not recover 3 hrs after release of the maneuver. In addition, systemic endotoxemia associated with increased level of malondialdehyde and decreased levels of total glutathione and alpha-tocopherol in the liver was demonstrated. These changes were more dominant in rats with obstructive jaundice for 3 weeks than those for 1 week. It can be said that deteriorated hepatic energy charge after release of the Pringle maneuver may partly be caused by the production of oxygen free radicals which may be enhanced by endotoxemia in resection of the jaundiced liver. In contrast, after release of the Pringle maneuver, deterioration of hepatic energy charge due to oxidative attack was not found in jaundiced rats without hepatic resection.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Undifferentiated sarcoma of the liver in a 21-year-old woman: case report.

A successful surgical case of malignant undifferentiated (embryonal) sarcoma of the liver (USL), a rare tumor normally found in children, is reported. The patient was a 21-year-old woman, complaining of epigastric pain and abdominal fullness. Chemical analyses of the blood and urine and complete blood counts revealed no significant changes, and serum alpha-fetoprotein levels were within normal limits. A physical examination demonstrated a film, slightly tender lesion at the liver's edge palpable 10 cm below the xiphoid process. CT scan and ultrasonography showed an oval mass, confined to the left lobe of the liver, which proved to be hypovascular on angiography. At laparotomy, a large, 18 x 15 x 13 cm tumor, found in the left hepatic lobe was resected. The lesion was dark red in color, encapsulated, smooth surfaced and of an elastic firm consistency. No metastasis was apparent. Histological examination resulted in a diagnosis of undifferentiated sarcoma of the liver. Three courses of adjuvant chemotherapy, including adriamycin, cis-diaminodichloroplatinum, vincristine and dacarbazine were administered following the surgery with no serious adverse effects. The patient remains well with no evidence of recurrence 12 months after her operation.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Effects of mitochondrial lipoperoxidation on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy of the cirrhotic rat liver].

Lipoperoxide levels in mitochondrial fraction and mitochondrial respiratory activity during hepatic regeneration were studied serially in normal (N) and cirrhotic (C) rats following one-third (I) or two-third (II) partial hepatectomy. Recovery of liver weight after 14 days was about 90% in each group except C-II group, in which it was 71.3%. ATP synthetic activity (ATP-S) was always higher in N-II group than N-I which reached maximum on the first postoperative day (POD) and returned to the preoperative levels on the 14th POD. Lipoperoxide peak value of N-II group was obtained sooner than that of N-I group, in addition the peak value of N-II group was higher than that of the N-I group. ATP-S of C-II group reached maximum levels on the third POD and thereafter decreased progressively. In contrast, ATP-S of C-I group returned to preoperative level on the 14th POD. Peak lipoperoxide levels were obtained on the first POD in both groups, but that of C-II group was 1.6 times higher than that of C-I. Moreover, it was observed that inhibition of lipoperoxidation by alpha-tocopherol administration improved respiratory activity significantly. From these results it can be said that hepatectomy-induced lipoperoxidation in massive resection of the cirrhotic liver may inhibit activation of mitochondrial respiration and hepatic regeneration.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1990

Transcatheter arterial embolization and chemoembolization induce the production of free radicals in the normal rat liver.

Superselective transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) of the left and median lobes of the normal rat liver was performed using gelatin sponge (1.5 mg/ml). Superselective transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TAC) of the same lobes was done adding mitomycin (MMC) at a dose of 1.6 mg/ml to the embolic solution. In another group of rats MMC alone was injected intraarterially into those lobes. It was found that both embolic procedures and the arterial injection of MMC decrease the hepatic total glutathione content. Glutathione peroxidase activity and alpha-tocopherol content remained unchanged. Lipoperoxides were detected 3 and 6 h after TAC in chemoembolized and non-chemoembolized lobes. Similar findings in both injected and noninjected lobes were found after MMC injection. The TAE lobes only showed elevated lipoperoxide content 6 h after embolization, this parameter remained unchanged in the non-TAE lobes. These findings suggest that free radicals are formed after TAE, and that the addition of MMC to the embolic solution increases the oxidative attack and/or that the oxidative reactions after TAC are mainly mediated by lipid peroxidation due to the presence of MMC.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Continuous removal of middle molecules by hemofiltration in patients with acute liver failure.

In patients with acute liver failure and hepatic coma, an increase in the abnormal "middle molecules" seen on the chromatograms of the sera is suspected of playing an etiologic role in the coma. A pilot study of continuous hemofiltration using a high-performance membrane was conducted in 16 such patients in an attempt to decrease the serum levels of the middle molecules. The procedure was used alternately with plasma exchange. High-performance liquid chromatography showed a notable removal of the substances in the filtrates and a sequential removal from the serum by hemofiltration. Eight (50%) of the 16 patients had amelioration in level of consciousness and were weaned successfully from hemofiltration. Although only three of the 16 patients survived the acute illness, 13 others lived an average of 15 days and five patients survived greater than 3 wk. While the continuous removal of middle molecules from the serum may not reverse liver failure, this procedure used in conjunction with plasma exchange may provide a means of life support, e.g., for patients awaiting a liver transplant.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed1990

[Plasma and tumor gastrin in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism].

It is well known that primary hyperparathyroidism is often associated with peptic ulcer. The purpose of this study is to confirm the relationship between the gastrin-levels before and after parathyroidectomy in fourteen patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, and to determine the localization of gastrin in the surgically resected parathyroid tumor. The results obtained were as follows: 1) Three patients had peptic ulcer (gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer), the incidence being 21%. 2) The basal serum gastrin levels were 123.0% +/- 68.1 pg/ml before operation and decreased to 90.2 +/- 44.5 pg/ml after operation. In the 3 patients with slightly elevated gastrin levels, the mean level before operation was 209.1 +/- 61.2 pg/ml. The gastrin level decreased to 116.4 +/- 62.0 pg/ml after operation. 3) Gastrin immunoreactivity was detected in 10 out of 14 tumors and its localization was at the periphery of tumor cells. From these results, we conclude that extragastric gastrin secretion from parathyroid tumors may be one of the cause of peptic ulcer in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Calcium↗
PubMed1989

The development and extension of hepatohilar bile duct carcinoma. A three-dimensional tumor mapping in the intrahepatic biliary tree visualized with the aid of a graphics computer system.

Computer-assisted three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the biliary tree including extrahepatic and intrahepatic parts was performed from surgical or autopsy materials from 12 patients with hepatohilar bile duct carcinoma in an effort to visualize three-dimensionally the distribution of carcinoma and dysplasia. In each case, material including a hepatic lobe was reduced to serial slices 1 mm thick using a ham slicer, then the tumors, ducts with carcinoma in situ, and those with dysplasia were submitted to reconstruction. In a 3D map of biliary tree reproduced on a display, a dysplastic zone was shown in most cases surrounding a focus of carcinoma, justifying the assumption of a dysplasia-carcinoma sequence. The carcinoma itself proved to form multiple foci along bile ducts in as many as 42% of the patients, in some of whom the foci were independent without any intervening dysplasia. These results suggest that as extensive a surgical measure as possible should be taken in designing a strategy against this tumor.

Adenoma, Bile Duct↗
PubMed1989

Long-term survival in carcinoma of the biliary tract. Analysis of prognostic factors in 146 resections.

In 146 consecutive patients undergoing resection for carcinoma of the biliary tract, various tumor characteristics that affected long-term survival of the patients were studied. Patients with gallbladder carcinoma whose tumors had no serosal infiltration or vessel invasion were grossly papillary, or were papillary or well-differentiated adenocarcinoma histologically survived longer than those without these tumor characteristics. In upper-third lesions, patients whose tumors showed no serosal infiltration or vessel invasion, were grossly papillary, were papillary or well-differentiated adenocarcinoma histologically, or were treated with hepatic lobectomy had a higher chance of long-term survival. Patients with the middle-third lesions, whose tumors were grossly papillary or nodular or whose margins were tumor-free, were apt to survive longer. Long-term survival for patients with lower-third lesions was obtained most often in patients without lymph node metastasis or vessel invasion.

Bile Duct Neoplasms↗
PubMed1989

Histologic findings and prognostic factors in carcinoma of the upper bile duct.

The histopathologic features of 34 resected carcinomas of the upper bile duct were reviewed. Patients with papillary adenocarcinoma showed a 3-year survival rate of 75 percent, which was better than those with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with no 2-year survivors. Infiltration to the serosa of the bile duct, lymph node metastasis, and vascular invasion were important prognostic factors, since the survival was better for the patients without than those with these factors. Among patients with papillary adenocarcinoma, none had hepatic infiltration and lymph node metastasis and most had no infiltration to the serosa. Patients with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, in contrast, had extensive association of those prognostic factors. Seventy-five percent of the patients with papillary adenocarcinoma and only 22 percent of patients with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma were considered to have curative resection. These findings suggest that the histologic type strongly influenced the prognosis of the patients with carcinoma of the upper bile duct and can be used for the determination of the extent of this tumor.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1989

Principal-Component Analysis of the Characteristics Desirable in Baker's Yeasts.

Twenty-seven properties considered to be required for good bakery products were examined in 56 industrial and 2 laboratory yeast strains. The data obtained were applied to principal-component analysis, one of the multivariate statistical analyses. The first and second principal components together were extracted, and these accounted for 77.7% of the variance. The first principal component was interpreted as the glycolytic activity of yeast in dough, and the second one was interpreted as the balance of leavening abilities in sweet and flour doughs from the factor loadings. The scattergram on the two principal components was effective in grouping the 58 yeast strains used.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1989

Genetic Analysis of Haploids from Industrial Strains of Baker's Yeast.

Strains of baker's yeast conventionally used by the baking industry in Japan were tested for the ability to sporulate and produce viable haploid spores. Three isolates which possessed the properties of baker's yeasts were obtained from single spores. Each strain was a haploid, and one of these strains, YOY34, was characterized. YOY34 fermented maltose and sucrose, but did not utilize galactose, unlike its parental strain. Genetic analysis showed that YOY34 carried two MAL genes, one functional and one cryptic; two SUC genes; and one defective gal gene. The genotype of YOY34 was identified as MATalpha MAL1 MAL3g SUC2 SUC4 gall. The MAL1 gene from this haploid was constitutively expressed, was dominant over other wild-type MAL tester genes, and gave a weak sucrose fermentation. YOY34 was suitable for both bakery products, like conventional baker's yeasts, and for genetic analysis, like laboratory strains.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1989

Plasma amino acid abnormalities in liver disease: comparative analysis of idiopathic portal hypertension, extrahepatic portal occlusion and liver cirrhosis.

To clarify the clinical significance of specific plasma amino acid abnormalities occurring in liver disorders with portal-systemic shunting, plasma amino acids and insulin levels were measured in idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH), extrahepatic portal occulusion (EHPO), and liver cirrhosis (LC). Three branched chain amino acids (BCAA: valine + leucine + isoleucine) were decreased in all three diseases in comparison with controls. Since plasma insulin measured during oral glucose tolerance tests did not specifically rise in LC, reduction of BCAA is not merely ascribed to hyperinsulinemia. Either portal-systemic shunting or some extent of liver damage may contribute to a fall in BCAA. Two aromatic amino acids (AAA: phenylalanine + tyrosine), which were within the normal range in EHPO and IPH, showed a marked increase in LC. Thus, changes of AAA probably mainly reflect the severity of the liver disease. The molar ratio of BCAA/AAA (MR) significantly correlated with ICG k, ICG R15, PT and the sum of blood ammonia in an oral ammonia tolerance test which may reflect the degree of hepatic disorder. MR diminished in the following decreasing order: controls, EHPO, IPH and LC.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1989

[Changes in hepatic and renal tissue blood flows in cirrhotic rat in hemorrhagic shock].

The purpose of present study is to elucidate the influence of hypotension on hepatic and renal tissue circulations in cirrhosis. The changes of hepatic and renal tissue blood flows (TBF) were studied in hemorrhagic shock using cirrhotic rats. The hepatic and renal energy charges (EC) were measured in normal and cirrhotic rats. Hepatic TBFs of the cirrhotic rats decreased to 74% of the normal, portal pressure increased to 140%, but renal TBF was not changed significantly. In hemorrhagic shock induced by blood exsanguination, hepatic and renal TBFs of normal rats were restored to the preshock levels by transfusion of shed blood, but those of cirrhotic rats were not restored. Furthermore, the hepatic and renal ECs of normal-shocked rats were not different from those of control rats, but the ECs of cirrhotic-shocked rats were decreased significantly. These findings suggest that hypotension under cirrhosis disturbs hepatic and renal tissue circulations and energy metabolisms also in a period of after-shock phase.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[A screening index for primary hyperparathyroidism using discriminant functions].

In order to obtain a useful screening index for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), seven patients with PHPT and fifty-one patients with nonparathyroid hypercalcemia (NPHC) were studied retrospectively. Serum calcium, inorganic phosphate (IP), alkaline phosphatase, albumin (Alb), chloride (Cl), total protein, urea nitrogen and creatinine (Cre) were analyzed at the same time. Discriminant analysis using a stepwise variable select method was applied to these patients. A discriminant function (F 1) was derived from three laboratory tests; F 1 = -0.660 x [IP] + 0.142 x [Cl] + 0.564 x [Alb] - 14.4 (PHPT: F 1 greater than 0.641). F 1 had sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 72.5% (14 false positives) in diagnosing PHPT. Next, another discriminant function (F 2) was derived from PHPT and the false positive patients; F 2 = -2.61 x [IP] + 0.286 x [Cl] - 4.24 x [Cre] - 19.3 (PHPT: F 2 greater than 0.412). When F 2 was applied to positive patients by F 1, final sensitivity was 100% and specificity was 98%. This screening method was tested prospectively in fifty-six consecutive samples of hypercalcemia (PHPT 4, NPHC 52), resulting in sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 98%. It was proved that our screening method using two step discriminant functions was very useful to diagnose PHPT.

Adolescent↗