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Biomedical subjects

K Sakai

Publications and source records attributed to K Sakai.

At least 919 records · Page 51Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Depression in members of a new religious sect in Japan.

We investigated 226 people belonging to a regional church of a new religious sect (hereinafter referred to as religious group) and 899 ordinary people living in the rural area near this church (hereinafter referred to as nonreligious group) with a questionnaire using Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). In males ranging in age from 40 to 69, the mean scores of 7 SDS items out of 20 were significantly higher in the religious group than in the nonreligious group. Males at the age of 70 or older in both groups, however, did not show any significant difference in these items. It suggests that the religious affiliation exerted mentally good effects on the older male members.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1990

Left ventricular ejection performance, wall stress, and contractile state in aortic regurgitation before and after aortic valve replacement.

Left ventricular ejection performance, wall stress, and contractile state were evaluated in 35 patients with chronic aortic regurgitation. Cineangiography and pressure measurements were obtained before and a mean of 26 months after aortic valve replacement, and data were compared with those from 30 normal control subjects. The relation between quantitative changes in wall stress and changes in ejection fraction after surgery was determined. Preoperatively, end-systolic stress was elevated in patients with aortic regurgitation (218 +/- 45 vs. 160 +/- 23 kdynes/cm2 [mean +/- SD] for control subjects, p less than 0.01), and ejection fraction was depressed (0.46 +/- 0.11 vs. 0.65 +/- 0.05, p less than 0.01). End-systolic stress decreased postoperatively (151 +/- 41 kdynes/cm2, p less than 0.01) and ejection fraction increased (0.58 +/- 0.11, p less than 0.01). The magnitude of increase in ejection fraction correlated significantly and negatively (r = -0.65) with the quantitative change in end-systolic stress after surgery. Contractile function, as assessed by the ejection phase index-end-systolic stress relation, did not significantly change: 23 of 35 patients preoperatively and 18 of 35 patients postoperatively had values that clearly fell below the 95% confidence limit of the ejection fraction-end-systolic stress relation for controls. After surgery, individual ejection fraction-end-systolic stress relationships demonstrated a shift parallel to the regression curve for the control subjects. Moreover, persistent postoperative left ventricular hypertrophy was significantly associated with persistent contractile dysfunction. Thus, late improvement in left ventricular ejection performance after aortic valve replacement can be attributed to the reduction in end-systolic stress. Contractile function itself was not improved by surgery. Persistent postoperative hypertrophy may be a marker for myocardial contractile dysfunction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[The effect of ginger on serotonin induced hypothermia and diarrhea].

One of the important medicinal properties of ginger is known to remove chills caused by common cold and to warm body. In the present study, acetone extract of ginger at 100 mg/kg p.o. significantly inhibited serotonin (5-HT) induced hypothermia. Therefore, the active constituents of ginger were further examined. The acetone extract was functioned into 4 fractions by column chromatography. Fractions 1 and 2 showed significant activity. Fraction 2 was further purified and [6]-shogaol which was obtained from fraction 2-2, at 10 mg/kg p.o. was shown to inhibit 5-HT induced hypothermia. Anticathartic activity is known to be one of the medicinal effects of ginger. In the present study, acetone extract of ginger at 75 mg/kg p.o., significantly inhibited 5-HT induced diarrhea. In order to clarify the active constituents, the acetone extract was fractionated into 4 fractions by silica gel chromatography. Fractions 2 and 3, which was especially effective, were further purified and [6]-shogoal, [6]-dehydrogingerdione, [8]- and [10]-gingerol were found to have an anticathartic action. [6]-Shogaol was more potent than [6]-dehydrogingerdione, [8]- and [10]-gingerol.

Acetone↗
PubMed1990

Effects of captopril on forearm oxygen consumption during dynamic handgrip exercise in patients with congestive heart failure.

The maximal exercise capacity of patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) is frequently decreased because of decreased skeletal muscle oxygen utilization. In this study we examined whether forearm oxygen utilization is decreased during dynamic handgrip exercise in patients with CHF and whether captopril improves forearm oxygen utilization. They were divided into 3 groups according to the level of plasma renin activity (PRA) and New York Heart Association functional classification (NYHA): Group 1 consisted of 7 normal (control) subjects (PRA: 0.5 +/- 0.2 ng/ml/h, NYHA: 0); Group 2, 7 patients with severe CHF (PRA: 11.3 +/- 3.9 ng/ml/h, NYHA: 3.6 +/- 0.3); Group 3, 4 patients with mild CHF (PRA: 2.4 +/- 0.2 ng/ml/h, NYHA: 2 +/- 0). Forearm blood flow was measured by a strain gauge plethysmograph at rest and during dynamic handgrip exercise. Regional arterial venous oxygen content was measured and forearm oxygen consumption was calculated by the Fick principle. Forearm blood flow was less (p less than 0.05) at rest and during exercise in patients with severe CHF than in control subjects; this was compensated for by increased oxygen extraction, thus maintaining forearm oxygen consumption at a normal level at rest and during submaximal exercise. During maximal exercise, oxygen extraction was not different between normal control subjects and patients with severe CHF, thus forearm oxygen consumption was significantly less (p less than 0.01) in patients with severe CHF than in control subjects. In patients with mild CHF, forearm blood flow, oxygen extraction and oxygen consumption were not different from those in normal control subjects. Captopril (25 mg orally) did not alter forearm hemodynamics at rest and during exercise in control subjects and patients with mild CHF. In patients with severe CHF, captopril lowered systolic and mean blood pressure (p less than 0.05). Captopril increased forearm oxygen extraction (p less than 0.05) and tended to increase blood flow and thus increased oxygen consumption (p less than 0.01) during maximal exercise. Our data indicate that oxygen utilization was impaired in patients with severe CHF and that captopril improved forearm oxygen utilization during maximal handgrip exercise in patients with severe CHF.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1990

Effects of antiepileptic drugs and organic brain damage on SCE frequency in cerebral palsies.

In order to assess the genotoxic effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), analysis of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) was performed in lymphocytes of three groups of males; epileptics with AED therapy, non-epileptics without AED therapy and healthy controls. The epileptics and non-epileptics were cases of severe cerebral palsies due to perinatal asphyxia. Possible confounding factors of SCE frequencies, such as age, smoking habit, drug usage other than AED, recent history of viral infection, etc. were controlled. The frequency of SCE per cell was 4.63 +/- 0.71 (mean +/- S.D.) in epileptics, 4.70 +/- 0.89 in non-epileptics and 3.84 +/- 0.56 in healthy controls. SCEs in both epileptics and non-epileptics were significantly higher (p less than 0.05) than those in controls. There was no significant difference of SCE frequency between epileptics and non-epileptics. These results suggested that no mutagenic effect of AED could be demonstrated as revealed by SCEs, and organic brain damage per se might influence the baseline SCE frequency. The possible explanations for such observations are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Isolation of urinary p-hydroxylated metabolites of mephentermine and phentermine in male Wistar rats.

1. p-Hydroxymephentermine (p-hydroxy-MP) and p-hydroxyphentermine (p-hydroxy-Ph) were isolated as hydrochlorides from urine of male Wistar rats repeatedly dosed with mephentermine (MP). In addition, p-hydroxy-Ph was isolated as the hydrochloride from urine of the rats dosed with phentermine (Ph). 2. These results substantiate previous indications that p-hydroxylation of MP and Ph was a primary metabolic reaction in the rat.

Aniline Compounds↗
PubMed1990

[Urinary incontinence in children with primary vesicoureteral reflux--urinary incontinence and function of refluxing kidney].

The interrelation among urinary incontinence (nocturnal enuresis, urge incontinence), history of urinary tract infection and renal function was investigated in 153 children with primary vesicoureteral reflux who were more than three years old. Of them, 98 children (64%) had the chief complaint of urinary tract infection (UTI) and 43 children (28%), urinary incontinence. Of the children whose chief complaint was UTI, 44 (45%) had incontinence. Thus, 87 children (57%) with VUR had urinary incontinence. Almost all the children who had urinary incontinence and no previous UTI had good renal function. Renal dysfunction was found in children with previous UTI history. These studies on children with primary VUR more than three years old indicate that, although urinary incontinence could be a factor for recurrence of UTI and a probable cause of worsening of renal function, there is no direct correlation between urinary incontinence and renal dysfunction accompanied by VUR.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Renal function in children with solitary kidney].

Renal function of eighteen children with solitary kidney (14 congenital and 4 acquired) was assessed using DMSA renal uptake rate and urinary excretion of alpha 1-MG, beta 2-MG, NAG and microalbumin. Seven of the cases were associated with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and two with congenital hydronephrosis. These anomalies have been already treated surgically before entering this study. DMSA renal uptake rate of 8 children was the same as that of the controls (51.8 +/- 3.7%; mean +/- SD). However, the uptake rate of 10 cases were more than 2SD below the mean of the controls. In five of them, including two children with no other urinary tract anomaly, the uptake rate was less than 70% of the mean of the controls. Half of 14 children evaluated with alpha 1-MG showed high values. In 6 of these 7 cases, DMSA renal uptake rate was more than 2SD below the mean of the controls. Urinary microalbumin was not correlated with urinary alpha 1-MG or DMSA renal uptake rate. Three of 4 children with high values of urinary microalbumin were more than 10 years old. Nine of 12 children evaluated with all the indices mentioned above showed high values of urinary alpha 1-MG and/or microalbumin. Low DMSA renal uptake rate was revealed in 7 out of these 9 children including two cases without urinary tract anomaly. These results indicate that, in the cases with solitary kidney even though no other urinary tract anomaly is recognized, renal overload may have already developed in early life.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗
PubMed1990

[Evaluation of renal function in children with primary VUR up to two years old].

The function of 99 refluxing kidneys of 61 children up to two years old at the time of diagnosis was evaluated by 99mTc-DMSA renoscintigraphy, urinary beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-MG), alpha 1-microglobulin (alpha 1-MG) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosamidase (NAG). High grade reflex (grade IV, V) was found in 45% of the cases. 76%, 51% and 92% of the cases showed abnormally high value of urinary beta 2-MG, alpha 1-MG and NAG, respectively. These results indicate that they have already had tubular dysfunction at the time of diagnosis. DMSA renoscintigraphy of 82 refluxing kidneys of 49 children was performed. Of these, 48% had renal scar and 28% had serious renal dysfunction [DMSA uptake rate less than 18%]. 10-20% of low grade VUR had less than 18% DMSA uptake rate. Two patterns were noticed in the group in which urinary beta 2-MG ranged 0.33-1.0. One was characterized by good bilateral renal function with slight tubular damage and the other serious renal dysfunction with fixed tubular damage. No remarkable recovery of the renal function was noticed after antireflux operation in the second pattern cases. In many cases, in which urinary beta 2-MG was more than 1.0, improvement of DMSA uptake rate was noticed after antireflux operation.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1990

Isolation and biosynthesis of 3 alpha-hydroxy-3,5-dihydromonacolin L.

3 alpha-Hydroxy-3,5-dihydromonacolin L acid (acid form), a new compound related to monacolin K (mevinolin), was isolated from the culture broth of a strain of Monascus ruber. The structure of the compound was determined by a combination of physical techniques. 4a,5-Dihydromonacolin L was converted to 3 alpha-hydroxy-3,5-dihydromonacolin L by a cell-free extract of M. ruber in the presence of molecular oxygen. The results demonstrate that the former is the direct precursor in the biosynthesis of the latter.

Ascomycota↗
PubMed1990

[The analysis of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in patients with Epstein Barr virus induced hepatitis].

Both humoral and cell-mediated immunity to Epstein Barr virus related antigen have recently been reported and are thought to be important for the generation of Epstein Barr virus induced human diseases. For this reason, to study immunological features in Epstein Barr virus induced hepatitis (EBH), we studied the ratio of various immunocompetent cells in peripheral blood and compared them to that of healthy control and acute hepatitis (disease control). We found that a significant elevation of CD8+ CD11- cells existed in EBH patients (48.9 +/- 18.3% in EBH, 17.0 +/- 6.9% in AH and 13.6 +/- 7.0% in healthy control) and atypical lymphocytes which are frequently observed in EBH belong to CD8+ CD11- cells. Regarding the study of surface expression of activated T cell markers, we found that these CD8+ cells also expressed HLA-DR antigen on their cell surface. Furthermore, the percentage of CD8+ CD11- cells returned to normal level with the recovery of their liver function. From these results, we can assume that activated CD8+ CD11- cells may have an important roles in generation of EBH.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[DNA diagnosis of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy].

The point mutation at nt11778 in mitochondrial DNA is highly associated with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy and eliminates a restriction enzyme SfaNI site in American blacks and Caucasians. DNA diagnosis was applied to a male Japanese patient with this disorder and his mother as a carrier. The mitochondrial DNA fragments (255bp) including this mutation were amplified by polymerase chain reaction. SfaNI digested the DNA fragments of normal Japanese subjects, but did not digest those of the patient or the carrier, The mutation within the SfaNI site is also associated with Japanese suffering from this disorder.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Vestibular function in severely retarded children in relation to their motor disabilities].

We examined vestibular functions of thirty-one severely retarded children with caloric test and rotation nystagmus test, in combination with auditory brainstem response (ABR) recordings and measurement of brainstem width on cranial CT scans. The laterality of vestibular response was over 20% in most of the bedridden cases and was under 20% who could move. Abnormal findings in ABR had no relationship with the degree of motor disabilities, but decreased width of brainstem on CT scan showed some relationship with the degree of motor disabilities. We conclude that vestibular function tests are useful to predict future motor development in severely retarded children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Myocardial infarction complicating left ventricular free wall blowout rupture: a survival case after surgical repair].

A 58-year-old man who suffered from acute myocardial infarction complicated with left ventricular rupture and subacute pericardial tamponade was reported. On admission, echocardiography strongly suspected presence of intrapericardial fluid. And immediate pericardiocentesis proved left ventricular free wall rupture (LVFWR). Coronary angiography with the support of IABP revealed occlusion of LAD (# 8). Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was performed with partial success. After pericardiotomy, the hemodynamic state was improved, however, 2 hours later, his blood pressure fell down to 40 mmHg suddenly. Emergent operation (re-mediastinumotomy+ ) was performed under the suspicion of left ventricular blowout rupture with the direct closure of the perforated site with 4 woven Dacron pledgets at bedside in ICU. The patient ran an uneventful postoperative course and is now doing well. Clinical and therapeutic features of LVFWR were discussed.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed1990

[The effects of a truncal vagotomy on the gallstone formation].

We have conducted an experiment to examine the effects of a truncal vagotomy on the gallstone formation. Chosen for this experiment were ICR male mice that were given an abdominal vagotomy. While the postoperated mice were on a cholesterol-free diet, we found that, due to the vagotomy, the mole fraction of the cholesterol in the mice's gallbladder bile increased, as did the total protein concentration in their bile. When being fed foods to promoted a gallstone, the postoperated mice clearly demonstrated a higher rate of gallstones formation than without the vagotomy, and while the cholesterol concentration in their bile did not show a significant increase, total protein concentration did increase significantly. The rate of a biliary infection also increased. Considering the above, we have concluded that a truncal vagotomy is a factor that promotes the gallstone formation.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Late results of CABG for postinfarction angina--relation to preoperative myocardial infarct size].

We evaluated the late results of coronary bypass grafting (CABG) in 85 patients. The patients were divided into two groups according to preoperative MI size estimated by the Selvester QRS score; 24 with MI size of larger than 20% of LV muscle (group A; average 28 +/- 11%), and 61 with MI size smaller than 20% (group B; average 10 +/- 9%). New York Heart Association classes of both groups following CABG improved significantly (from 2.8 +/- 0.7 to 1.3 +/- 0.4 in group A; p less than 0.01, from 2.5 +/- 0.6 to 1.2 +/- 0.5 in group B; p less than 0.01). There was higher incidence of serious ventricular arrhythmias in group A than in group B (83% vs. 21%, p less than 0.01). In Group A, LVEF and LVESVI did not improve following CABG (from 17 +/- 9 to 16 +/- 8 mmHg, from 39 +/- 15 to 40 +/- 15%, from 66 +/- 28 to 69 +/- 40 ml/M2), while in Group B, those improved significantly (from 13 +/- 6 to 11 +/- 5 mmHg; p less than 0.01, from 53 +/- 14 to 58 +/- 10%; p less than 0.01, from 39 +/- 23 to 32 +/- 14 ml/M2; p less than 0.05). The exercise-to-rest LVSWI ratios increased significantly following CABG in both groups (from 86 +/- 25 to 160 +/- 56% in group A; p less than 0.05, from 92 +/- 31 to 140 +/- 37% in group B; p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗