Phase transition and critical behavior in Langmuir films of myristic acid.
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Journal Article↗
Biomedical subjects
K Takagi
Publications and source records attributed to K Takagi.
Simple and coupled processes of reorientational relaxation in the isotropic phase of p-n-hexyl p'-cyanobiphenyl.
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Journal Article↗
Distinctive portal venographic pattern in patients with sclerotherapy resistant oesophageal varices.
We performed prophylactic sclerotherapy in 350 patients with 'high risk' oesophageal varices (F2 or F3 with a moderate or severe red colour sign). Of these patients, eight exhibited sclerotherapy resistance (i.e. no significant reduction in the size of varices after five sessions of sclerotherapy). Thus, the prevalence of sclerotherapy resistant varices was 2%. Of 350 patients, 97 underwent haemodynamic investigation before sclerotherapy. This group consisted of seven patients with sclerotherapy resistant varices and 90 patients with non-resistant varices. Portal pressure, assessed by portal venous pressure gradient, was similar in these two groups (21.5 +/- 4.8 vs 19.8 +/- 5.0 mmHg, respectively; NS). However, the prevalence of the 'pipe-line' form of variceal feeding pattern (a large dilated left gastric vein running up the oesophagus) was higher in patients with resistant varices than in those with non-resistant varices (100 vs 3%, respectively; P < 0.01) and the diameter of the left gastric vein was larger in patients with resistant varices than in those with non-resistant varices (12.4 +/- 2.0 vs 7.8 +/- 2.3 mm, respectively; P < 0.01). Moreover, the extravariceal portosystemic shunt was poorly developed in patients with resistant varices compared with non-resistant varices (0 vs 52%, respectively; P < 0.05). We conclude that the pipe-line pattern, fed by a large left gastric vein and associated with poorly developed extravariceal portosystemic shunt, is a distinctive portal venographic feature of sclerotherapy resistant varices.
Esophageal and Gastric Varices↗
Lead inhibits nitric oxide production transiently by mRNA level in murine macrophage cell lines.
Lead inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) in cytokine-induced macrophage cell lines of RAW264 and Mm1. The decrease was revealed in the concentration of lead (0.1-10 micrograms/ml) which did not decrease the viability of these cells. The inhibition was proved to be due to the suppression of an inducible type of NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression in RAW264 cells. This suppression was found at 24 h and then recovered to the control level (stimulated with cytokine alone) following culture. In the RAW264 cell line, the time course pattern of NO production corresponded to the iNOS mRNA expression. From these results, the inhibition of NO production by, at least in part, mRNA level could be implicated in lead-caused abnormalities in immune functions.
Animals↗
Determination of glutathione and related aminothiols in mouse tissues by gas chromatography with flame photometric detection.
A selective and sensitive method for the determination of glutathione and such related aminothiols as Cys, cysteinylglycine and gamma-glutamylcysteine in mouse tissues by gas chromatography was developed. After fractionating a tissue sample into the free and protein-bound fractions, glutathione and aminothiols in each fraction were converted into their N,S-isopropoxycarbonyl methyl ester derivatives and then measured by gas chromatography with flame photometric detection, using a DB-1 capillary column. This method enabled the redox status of glutathione and related aminothiols in mouse tissues to be investigated.
Animals↗
Plasma concentrations of atrial, brain, and C-type natriuretic peptides and endothelin-1 in patients with chronic respiratory diseases.
We measured plasma concentrations of atrial, brain, and C-type natriuretic peptides (ANP, BNP, and CNP, respectively) and endothelin-1 in 20 patients with chronic respiratory diseases (CRD) to establish whether these peptides are increased in patient groups with CRD (group A, PaO2 > or = 60 mm Hg; group B, PaO2 < 60 mm Hg) and whether a correlation exists between the levels of natriuretic peptides or endothelin-1, and blood gas variables. In patients receiving long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT), plasma ANP, BNP, and endothelin-1 were compared before and after LTOT. We compared the levels of plasma ANP, BNP, and endothelin-1 in the presence or absence of right heart overloading (RHO) found in the ECG. Plasma ANP and BNP levels in group B patients were higher than those in group A and control subjects, and endothelin-1 in group B patients was higher than in control subjects. Inverse correlations were found between PaO2 and levels of plasma ANP, BNP, and endothelin-1. Plasma ANP, BNP, and endothelin-1 decreased significantly 25.4 days after LTOT. In 10 patients with RHO findings in the ECG, plasma ANP and BNP levels were significantly elevated compared with those in patients without RHO. These findings show that plasma ANP, BNP, and endothelin-1 are elevated according to the degree of hypoxemia, and they suggest that decreases in plasma ANP, BNP, and endothelin-1 may be used as indexes of the improvement by LTOT, and that plasma ANP and BNP may represent markers of RHO.
Aged↗
Sustained high levels of circulatory interleukin-8 are associated with a poor outcome in patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome.
Neutrophils are reported to be a major factor in the pathogenesis of the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We measured serial levels of circulatory interleukin (IL)-8 and neutrophil elastase in 16 patients with ARDS at the onset, on day 3 and on day 7 and studied the relationship of these levels to the clinical course. Circulatory IL-8 levels of all the patients at the onset were significantly elevated compared with controls, mean +/- SE, 30.0 +/- 6.7 pg/ml and 3.3 +/- 0.3 pg/ ml, respectively. There was a significant correlation between IL-8 and neutrophil elastase levels at the onset (r = 0.65, p < 0.01). In nonsurvivors circulatory IL-8 levels were significantly higher than those of survivors throughout the study. There were significant differences in oxygenation, as reflected by PaO2/FIO2 ratios, between survivors and nonsurvivors at day 7, mean +/- SE, 208.5 +/- 21.9 and 113.5 +/- 9.6, respectively. In conclusion, we have shown that the level of circulatory IL-8 is elevated in patients with ARDS, and sustained high levels of circulatory IL-8 might be correlated with a poor outcome.
Adult↗
A pylorus-retaining pancreatic head-duodenectomy for cancers of the duodenal papilla and the lower bile duct.
With the development of diagnostic technology, the surgical methods of cancer therapy have been expanded, and operations have been performed using a procedure corresponding to the stage of cancer to improve the postoperative QOL. A 79-year-old man with cancer of the duodenal papilla and obstructive jaundice, and a 63-year-old woman with cholangiocarcinoma in the lower region complicated by cholangitis caused by Candida underwent resections of the pancreatic head and duodenum, and pancreaticogastrostomies retaining the pylorus. Satisfactory results were obtained in both cases. The merits of the procedure were that there were few complaints, sufficient food could be ingested and the QCL was maintained. The benefits of pancreaticogastrostomy are that the anastomosis procedure is simple, the gastric wall is thicker than the jejunum and blood flow is plentiful. The dorsal gastric wall is located close to the pancreatic cut-end, therefore tension is not created, and the pancreatic enzymes are not activated because the anastomosis site does not contact the intestinal fluid. These characteristics should decrease the rate of anastomosis failure which can be a fetal complication. A safer operation is desirable, particularly for elderly patients or patients who have complications.
Aged↗
Distraction frequency and the gastrocnemius muscle in tibial lengthening. Studies in rabbits.
We compared the effect of various distraction frequencies on the gastrocnemius muscle by evaluating the histological findings, intramuscular enzyme contents, and DNA contents. In 15 rabbits, both tibiae were distracted 1 mm per day. The distraction frequency was 2 steps (0.5 mm/12 hour) by hand on the right side and 120 steps (0.0083 mm/12 minutes) by an auto-distractor on the left. The rabbits were divided into 3 subgroups based on length gain: 10%, 20%, and 30%. Histologically, there were no signs of fibrosis or edema and no differences in the number of necrotic cells, and intramuscular enzyme contents between the 2- and 120-step groups. The DNA content, however, was higher in the 120-step group at 30% lengthening in the middle of the muscle belly, and at 20% and 30% lengthening in the musculotendinous junction. Our findings suggest that an increase in the distraction frequency may promote DNA synthesis in the muscle, thus providing better muscle accommodation during bone lengthening.
Analysis of Variance↗
[A case of endocrine cell carcinoma in the duodenal bulb].
A 73-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to weight loss and melena. Roentgenograms and endoscopy showed a Borrmann type 2 tumor occupying the entire duodenal bulb. Histological findings of the lesion (H-E stain) showed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Almost the entire specimen showed positive staining granules for Grimelius stain. Ultrastructurally, remarkable endocrine granules covered a layer of the limited membrane (membrane-bound granule) in the tumor cell. We diagnosed endocrine cell carcinoma. Since it was difficult to operate due to age and invasion to the fundus of the gall-bladder and the pancreatic head, we treated this case by chemotherapy.
Adenocarcinoma↗
[Results of genitoplasty for virilized genitalia of 41 females with congenital adrenal hyperplasia].
OBJECTIVE: The results of genitoplasty performed at our clinic for 41 female patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) were reviewed. PATIENTS: Among 57 females with CAH (56 with 21-hydroxylase deficiency and 1 with 11 beta-hydroxylase deficiency) diagnosed between 1961 and 1995, 41 underwent genitoplasty. For the rest of 16 patients, 1 received already clitorectomy, 11 (19%) needed no surgical reconstruction, 2 died before surgery, and 2 are in a waiting list for surgery. RESULTS: According to Prader's classification of virilized genitalia, 41 patients who received surgery included 8 of type I, 10 of type II, 17 of type III, and 4 of type IV. There was no patients of type V, and 2 were not classified because of previous surgery. Four patients underwent genitoplasty 7 times in total before visiting us. The age receiving initial genitoplasty at our clinic ranged from one year and 9 months to 20 years (median: 4 years and 5 months). Follow-up period averaged 17 years with the range of 2 months to 33 years. For enlarged clitoris, clitorectomy (amputation of clitoris) was carried out for 22 patients before 1975 and corporal resection for 17 after 1975. Two patients manifested recurrence of clitoromegaly after the surgery because of either incomplete resection of the clitoris or patient's ignorance of taking glucocorticoid regularly. Thirty-six patients needed labiovaginoplasty. Simple midline cutback was performed for 6 patients and Y-V plasty (skin flap labiointroitoplasty) for 30. Vaginal orifice was not identified in 5 patients at the initial surgery. Two patients received successful second introitoplasty at the older age than 10. Post-operative stenosis of vaginal orifice was confirmed in 6 patients and 3 underwent second introitoplasty. Among 23 patients older than 25 years at present, 7 got married and 4 raised 6 children with assistance of Caesarian section. CONCLUSIONS: Most of female patients with CAH needed genital plastic surgery including clitoroplasty and labiovaginoplasty. Corporal resection for enlarged clitoris with sufficient hormone therapy brought a satisfactory result. Y-V plasty for labiovaginoplasty proved to be an excellent method, especially from cosmetic viewpoint, but remained some problems as one stage operation including difficult identification of vaginal orifice and post-operative stenosis of introitus in some patients.
Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital↗
[Comprehensive neuropsychological analysis of epileptic children with WISC-R, including profile analysis of subtests].
To evaluate intellectual functions of epileptic children, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) was performed on 69 children with epilepsy, and the test results were compared with their clinical symptoms and electroencephalographical findings. Both verbal IQ (VIQ) and performance IQ (PIQ) were significantly lower in the symptomatic group than in the idiopathic or cryptogenic groups, and also significantly lower in patients receiving polytherapy than monotherapy. PIQ was significantly low in patients treated with carbamazepine (CBZ), in those with poor control of seizures, in clumsy children, and cases with poor performance on visuo-motor tests. In the last two categories of patients there was an increased difference between VIQ and PIQ (discrepancy), and profile analysis revealed an impairment in non-verbal cognition and visual organization. On EEG records the patients with frontopolar (Fp) or frontal (F) focus had a significantly lower PIQ and an increased discrepancy. Migration of the epileptic focus during the periodic monitoring of EEG was also an important factor for an increased discrepancy. Furthermore, profile analysis suggested the impairment of the functions of the cerebral cortex associated with epileptic foci. These results indicate that either motor disability, such as clumsiness and minor motor disturbance, or epileptic focus on EEG are important factors affecting the assessment of neuropsychological aspects in epileptic children.
Adolescent↗
Effects of macrophage colony-stimulating factor on macrophages and their related cell populations in the osteopetrosis mouse defective in production of functional macrophage colony-stimulating factor protein.
The development of macrophage populations in osteopetrosis (op) mutant mice defective in production of functional macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and the response of these cell populations to exogenous M-CSF were used to classify macrophages into four groups: 1) monocytes, monocyte-derived macrophages, and osteoclasts, 2) MOMA-1-positive macrophages, 3) ER-TR9-positive macrophages, and 4) immature tissue macrophages. Monocytes, monocyte-derived macrophages, osteoclasts in bone, microglia in brain, synovial A cells, and MOMA-1- or ER-TR9-positive macrophages were deficient in op/op mice. The former three populations expanded to normal levels in op/op mice after daily M-CSF administration, indicating that they are developed and differentiated due to the effect of M-CSF supplied humorally. In contrast, the other cells did not respond or very slightly responded to M-CSF, and their development seems due to either M-CSF produced in situ or expression of receptor for M-CSF. Macrophages present in tissues of the mutant mice were immature and appear to be regulated by either granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor and/or interleukin-3 produced in situ or receptor expression. Northern blot analysis revealed different expressions of GM-CSF and IL-3 mRNA in various tissues of the op/op mice. However, granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-3 in serum were not detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The immature macrophages differentiated and matured into resident macrophages after M-CSF administration, and some of these cells proliferated in response to M-CSF.
Animals↗
[Pulmonary dirofilariasis with cavity formation and spontaneous regression].
A 70-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for evaluation of a nodular shadow and an apparent cavity in the right middle lung field. Transbronchial biopsy and percutaneous needle biopsy had failed to result in a diagnosis. Serial chest X-ray films revealed slight regression of the nodule without therapy. Pulmonary dirofilariasis was diagnosed after open-lung biopsy and Ouchterlony's double diffusion test. Cavity formation and spontaneous regression are rare in pulmonary dirofilariasis.
Aged↗
Thoracoscopic treatment for spontaneous pneumothorax in patients over 50 years old: a comparison with younger patients.
The purpose of this study was to compare thoracoscopic treatment for spontaneous pneumothorax in patients over 50 years old (OG) and younger patients (YG). Thoracoscopic treatment was performed in both groups using the same patient selection criteria: persistence of an air leak after tube thoracostomy drainage, ipsilateral recurrence, and bilateral pneumothoraces. Thoracoscopic treatment was performed in nine older patients (OG) over a two-year period. Their ages ranged from 50 to 81 years (average: 66 years). The mean operative time, postoperative drainage period, and hospital stay after surgery were 120 min, 6.3 days, and 10.7 days, respectively. In the YG, these indices were 71 min, 1.5 days, and 5.3 days, respectively. Each factor was significantly prolonged in the OG (p < 0.05). However, there were no major perioperative complications or recurrences 3-24 months after surgery in either group. Thus, thoracoscopic surgery is also effective in the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax in patients over 50 years old.
Age Factors↗
[Diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis in cases with cavity as sequela of tuberculosis].
Non-invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is frequently seen in cases with cavity as sequela of tuberculosis. Diagnosis of non-invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is not easy except for cases whose chest X-ray findings show a typical fungus ball. How to diagnose pulmonary aspergillosis was studied in 21 patients who showed changes in the radiological findings of cavity as sequela of tuberculosis. We made sputum culture of Aspergillus, measurement of precipitin antibody titer to Aspergillus fumigatus and measurement of PASTOREX ASPERGILLUS in serum and sputum on the 21 patients (group A). PASTOREX ASPERGILLUS in sputum was evaluated in three grades: 1+ approximately 3+. We diagnosed 14 patients as pulmonary aspergillosis (PA group) among the 21 patients taking into account the chest X-ray findings and the results of the above-stated investigations. The types of chest X-ray findings of these 14 patients were fungus ball type (FB) in 2 patients, productive aspergilloma on the inner wall of a cavity (PAIC) in 8, mixed type with FB and PAIC in 2 and non-specific change in 2. However, there were 3 patients with the chest X-ray findings suggestive of PAIC in 7 patients (non-PA group) who were not diagnosed as pulmonary aspergillosis. Sputum culture were positive in 11 patients of PA group (79%) and negative in all patients of non-PA group. Precipitin antibody were positive in 8 patients of PA group (67%) and negative in all patients of non-PA group. PASTOREX ASPERGILLUS in serum were negative in all 21 patients. PASTOREX ASPERGILLUS in sputum were 3+ (+3) in all 14 patients of PA group and in 2 patients of non-PA group and 2+ (+2) in 2 patients of non-PA group. 12 patients of PA group were treated by antifungal agents and 11 patients responded well to the treatment. We also made sputum culture of Aspergillus and measurement of PASTOREX ASPERGILLUS in sputum on 14 patients (group B) who had respiratory diseases with stable cavities and 17 patients (group C) who had respiratory diseases without a cavity. In group B, sputum culture were positive in 1 patient and PASTOREX ASPERGILLUS in sputum were 3+ (+3) in 2 patients, 2+ (+2) in 1 and 1+ (+) in 2. In group C, sputum culture were negative in all patients and PASTOREX ASPERGILLUS in sputum were 3+ (+3) in 1 patient, 2+ (+2) in 3 and 1+ (+) in 2. Measurement of PASTOREX in sputum was a useful tool to diagnose non-invasive aspergillosis in addition to sputum culture and measurement of precipitin antibody titer. The sensitivity of PASTOREX in sputum was high but its specificity was low, however, its specificity could be raised by applying semi-quantitative analysis of PASTOREX in sputum.
Adult↗
Murine flt3 ligand protects M1 leukemic cells from LIF-induced differentiation and suppression of self-renewal.
Self-renewing cell divisions are an important characteristic exhibited by both normal hematopoietic stem cells and leukemic cell populations. We have examined the action of flt3/flk2 ligand (FL) on physiologic suppression of self-renewal during growth factor-induced differentiation of M1 leukemic cells. Unstimulated M1 cells expressed high levels of flt3 receptor mRNA and protein, with approximately 20,000 molecules present at the cell surface. Consistent with data obtained from normal macrophage populations, expression of both mRNA and protein for flt3 receptor was suppressed as cells were induced to differentiate into mature macrophages in response to leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). Although FL alone had no detectable action on unstimulated M1 cells, an effect was revealed during LIF-induced differentiation. FL overcame LIF-induced suppression in clonal cultures of M1 cells, prevented morphologic changes associated with macrophage differentiation and interfered with the LIF-induced responsiveness of M1 cells to macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). This action of FL was evident on both parental M1 cells and M1 cells whose differentiation program was perturbed by enforced expression of the transcription factor SCL. The action of FL was most striking in clone transfer experiments in which FL rescued M1 cells from LIF-induced suppression of self-renewal. The ability of FL to maintain self-renewal characteristics satisfies one of the criteria predicted for a stem-cell-active molecule and contrasts with the action of FL in stimulating proliferation and differentiation of normal hematopoietic cells.
Animals↗
Pathomechanism of spontaneous regression of the herniated lumbar disc: histologic and immunohistochemical study.
To ascertain the pathomechanism of spontaneous regression of lumbar disc herniation, histological and immunohistochemical studies on 100 herniated discs were performed. Inflammatory findings such as cell infiltration, neovascularization, and granulation were observed in 16.9% of the protruded discs, 81.8% of the subligamentously extruded discs, 100% of the transligamentously extruded disks, and 80% of the sequestrated discs. The infiltrated cells were composed mainly of macrophages and a small number of T lymphocytes. Furthermore, the cell infiltration was more prominent in the nucleus pulposus (NP) than in the annulus fibrosus (AF). There was no correlation between the occurrence rate of inflammatory response and the length of the period from onset to operation. Based on these findings, it is considered that an extruded or sequestrated disc has a potential to be resorbed by phagocytes.
Adolescent↗