Biomedical subjects

K Togashi

Publications and source records attributed to K Togashi.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

[A study of the association between HLA phenotype and serum concentration of soluble HLA class I].

We investigated the association between the phenotypes of human leucocyte antigens (HLA) class I on the surface of lymphocytes and serum concentrations of soluble HLA (sHLA) in normal and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected subjects. Serum concentrations of sHLA inn normal subjects with HLA-A 24 were significantly higher than those in such subject without HLA-A 24. The similar relation was found in HIV infected subjects whose levels of sHLA significantly increased compared with that of normal subjects. These results might suggest that the mechanism which causes the increase in secretion of sHLA in HIV infected subjects does not change the association between HLA phenotype and serum concentration of sHLA.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

[Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the chest wall: a case report].

A 74-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a cough. His chest X-ray film, chest CT scan and MRI showed a tumor of the chest wall. Histology of a percutaneous needle biopsy revealed malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH). The tumor enlarged rapidly, and the patient underwent resection including the 6th, 7th and 8th ribs and partial resection of the right diaphragm and the right middle and lower lung lobes. Multiple pulmonary metastases were found 40 days after the operation, and the patient died of respiratory failure 4 months after surgery. Although MFH is one of the most common soft tissue sarcomas, lesions arising from the chest wall are uncommon. We stress the need for early diagnosis and aggressive surgical resection in the treatment of MFH arising from the chest wall.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Adnexal masses: transvaginal US and gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging assessment of intratumoral structure.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound (US) and gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the assessment of the intratumoral structure of an adnexal mass. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The population comprised 82 patients with an adnexal mass who underwent both transvaginal US and gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging and had surgical confirmation. The findings from both modalities were compared retrospectively with those of surgery. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 100%, 98%, and 99% with MR imaging and were 97%, 46%, and 68% with transvaginal US for the identification of solid tissue in the masses. Transvaginal US exhibited many (n = 25) false-positive results, especially in evaluation of lesions filled with blood or fatty tissue and small echogenic excrescences adherent to the wall, such as blood or fatty tissue. CONCLUSION: Both transvaginal US and gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging were highly sensitive in identification of solid components within an adnexal mass. Gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging was specific, whereas transvaginal US was nonspecific.

Adnexal Diseases↗

PubMed1996

Polycystic ovaries: implications of diagnosis with MR imaging.

PURPOSE: To review the prevalence and clinical usefulness of a previously described magnetic resonance (MR) imaging finding of polycystic ovarian disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR images of the uterine adnexa of 1,074 consecutive female patients suspected of having various gynecologic diseases were retrospectively reviewed for the presence of an MR imaging finding that has been described for polycystic ovarian disease. RESULTS: The prevalence of the previously described MR imaging finding of polycystic ovarian disease was 1.1% (12 of 1,074). Of the 12 patients, five had confirmed polycystic ovarian disease. Seven had no clinical or endocrinologic findings suggestive of polycystic ovarian disease. Six of these patients had endocrinologic findings related to ovarian dysfunction (n = 5) or had undergone hormonal therapy (n = 1). The other patient had vaginal agenesis but no clinical or endocrinologic evidence of abnormal ovarian function. CONCLUSION: The finding of multiple peripheral ovarian cysts at MR imaging may not be specific for polycystic ovarian disease.

Adnexa Uteri↗

PubMed1996

[Open heart surgery in patients with systemic diseases requiring steroid treatment].

Our surgical experiences in 9 patients who required steroid treatment for systemic diseases before, during and after the open heart surgery were reviewed. Subjects included 3 patients with systemic lupus erythematodes, 3 with aortitis syndrome, 1 with Behçet disease and 1 with rheumatoid arthritis. Cardiovascular lesion was aortic valve regurgitation in 2, Stanford A aortic dissection in 1 and ischemic heart disease in 3 patients. Duration of morbidity for systemic diseases before the surgery ranged between 0 nd 102 months, with a mean of 36 months. Steroid treatment was continued for 4 to 216 months (mean 70+/-76 months) before the surgery at a dose of 5-40 mg per day for conversion into prednisolone. In principal, methylprednisolone was given during the surgery, and the prednisolone was given at a dose of 20-140 mg per day on the day of operation or on the first postoperative day. Surgical procedures included a aortic valve prosthesis with Dacron cloth skirt implantation in 1 patient, surgical angioplasty of the left main coronary ostium in 1 and internal thoracic arteries grafting in 2 patients. Hospital mortality was 1 patient due to low cardiac output syndrome. Acute renal failure occurred in 2 patients with systemic lupus erythematodes, and wound complication was observed in 2 patients. In our experience, appropriate treatment for systemic diseases, timing of surgery and continuation of steroid treatment at an appropriate dose during and after the surgery seemed very important such as surgical procedure in order to prevent postoperative complications such as periprosthetic leakage and failure of anastomosis.

Aortic Arch Syndromes↗

PubMed1996

[A case of aortic valve replacement for active infectious endocarditis with multi-organ failure preoperatively].

A 57-year-old man underwent aortic valve replacement for active infectious endocarditis with multi-organ failure. He had become unconscious suddenly and had undergone transient pacing and endoteacheal intubation in the first hospital. Then he had been transferred to the second hospital, where careful medical treatment had been done for cardiac and hepatorenal failure. When he was transferred to our hospital, he was in New York Heart Association functional class IV with catecholamine support and had acute renal failure required hemodialysis. Aortic valve replacement with bileaflet mechanical valve and direct closure of perivalvular ring abscess made the patient free from catecholamine support and hemodialysis, while he needed permanent pacemaker implantation. This case suggests that both careful medical treatment before surgery and timing of surgical intervention were important for active infectious endocarditis with multi-organ failure preoperatively.

Aortic Valve↗

PubMed1996

[Intracavity suction and drainage in a patient with giant bulla accompanied by pneumoconiosis and emphysema: a case report].

A 74-year-old man with giant bulla accompanied by pneumoconiosis and emphysema was treated by intracavity suction and drainage procedure using chemical irritant and fibrin glue. About one month later, the bulla disappeared and the patient symptomatically improved on discharge from hospital. Intracavity suction and drainage is safe and effective treatment of emphysematous bulla in patients considered to be a bad risk for formal thoracotomy.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

Thiol-protease inhibitors selectively inhibit presentation of antigen incorporated through B cell antigen receptors.

B cells efficiently uptake exogenous antigens through cell surface IgM molecules and present them to specific T cells. Although it is implicated that antigens taken up by surface IgM associate with newly synthesized class II molecules, the precise pathway of the presentation is still unclear. Here we report that thiol-protease inhibitors inhibit the presentation of trinitrophenol-conjugated ovalbumin by a leukemic B cell line, A20.HL, which constitutively expresses trinitrophenol-specific surface IgM although they had only a minimum effect on the presentation of unconjugated ovalbumin. In addition, thiol-protease inhibitors slightly reduced the surface expression of class II molecules. Our results suggest that exogenous antigen taken up through surface IgM is presented by a pathway which involves proteolysis by thiol-proteases and distinct from that for the antigens taken up through non-specific endocytosis.

Antigen Presentation↗

PubMed1995

[Thoracoscopic partial lung resection using staplers and polyglycolic acid (PGA) felts in an 85-year-old patient].

An 85-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with complaints of dyspnea and palpitations. His chest roentgenogram and CT scan showed emphysematous lung and a right pneumothorax with bulla. In cases of emphysematous lung disease, it is well-known that postoperative pulmonary leakage tend to be prolonged, and that control of such leakage is often difficult. A felt-like bioabsorbable prosthesis (polyglycolic acid sheet: NEOVEIL) was used for partial lung resection under thoracoscopic guidance. On each side of the stapler, PGA strips (1 cm wide x 3.5 cm long) were fixed with absorbable sutures. We found that it was difficult to cut with the stapler knife and that the second staple line could not easily cut across the first. However, there was no postoperative air-leakage and his postoperative course was uneventful.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

[Completion pneumonectomy for local recurrence of lung cancer].

Completion pneumonectomy refers to an operation intended to remove what is left of a lung partially resected during a previous operation. The procedure is seldom indicated and the risk of operative mortality and morbidity is higher than standard pneumonectomy. Four patients underwent completion pneumonectomy for recurrence of lung cancer. The first patient had metastatic lesion of hilar lymph nodes more than five years after surgery. The second one had received preoperative radiation therapy and the third had very poor pulmonary function. The last one had underwent pulmonary resections twice during twelve years. Each case was relatively uncommon and gave the difficult surgical problem, but all patients survived the operation and are doing well at present.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1995

Plasma human brain natriuretic peptide in chronic renal failure.

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a polypeptide hormone which is homologous with atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). Since the 2 hormones partially share common secretory regulation we simultaneously assessed plasma BNP and ANP in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis without apparent cardiac involvement. Blood samples were taken from patients with serum creatinine (Cr) 0.5-1.2 mg/dl (normal renal function), patients with Cr > 1.2 mg/dl (chronic renal failure) and dialysis patients. BNP did not correlate with serum Cr, which indicated our antibody did not recognize accumulated metabolites due to decreased renal function. BNP and ANP decreased after dialysis-(p < 0.01). Changes of BNP during HD correlated with changes in body weight (p < 0.05). Plasma BNP concentrations were 12.0 +/- 22.0 pg/ml in patients with normal renal function, 17.6 +/- 23.4 pg/ml in chronic renal failure, and 91.5 +/- 93.5 in dialysis patients (p < 0.05 compared with patients with normal renal function). Plasma BNP/ANP ratios were 0.507 +/- 0.646 in patients with normal renal function, 0.392 +/- 0.842 in chronic renal failure, and 0.573 +/- 0.431 in dialysis patients (p < 0.05, compared with chronic renal failure). Increased ANP in chronic renal failure and dialysis indicates volume overload on atrium. In contrast, BNP increased only in dialysis patients, which indicates differences of hemodynamic stress in chronic renal failure and dialysis. We conclude that simultaneous measurements of plasma BNP and ANP further discriminate salt-water and hemodynamic abnormalities in dialysis patients.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Distribution and molecular forms of C-type natriuretic peptide in plasma and tissue of a dogfish, Triakis scyllia.

A radioimmunoassay (RIA) to measure C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) of a dogfish, Triakis scyllia, was established, and plasma and tissue levels of CNP were measured. Molecular forms of CNP in plasma and tissues were also examined using a combination of the RIA and cation-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The antibody used in the assay cross-reacted with all forms of Triakis CNP, as well as eel CNP, against which the antibody was raised. The antibody exhibited no cross-reaction with any atrial, brain (B-type), and ventricular natriuretic peptides examined and showed a weak cross-reaction with porcine CNP. The detection limit of this assay was 0.8 fmol/tube of Triakis CNP-22 which was used as standard. The CNP level in the Triakis plasma was 1.97 +/- 0.38 pmol/ml (n = 5) which far exceeded the physiological levels of any natriuretic peptides in other species. Among various tissues examined, the highest concentration of CNP was measured in the atrium, followed by the ventricle, brain, and pituitary. Low levels were detected in the kidney, liver, and digestive tracts. HPLC analyses revealed that the major form of CNP in the brain was CNP-22, while it was proCNP (CNP-115) in the heart. In contrast to other species from teleosts to mammals thus far examined, the majority of CNP in dogfish plasma was prohormone instead of processed, mature forms.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Ovarian torsion: CT and MR imaging appearances.

PURPOSE: To describe the features of twisted ovarian tumors on computed tomographic (CT) scans and magnetic resonance (MR) images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CT scans, MR images, clinical records, and histopathologic findings in 10 patients with surgical proof of a twisted adnexal tumor were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: The most common findings on MR images were nonspecific: deviation of the uterus to the twisted side (n = 9), engorged blood vessels on the twisted side (n = 6), a small amount of ascites (n = 5), and obliteration of fat (n = 4). The following characteristics were seen only in the five patients with hemorrhagic infarction: (a) a protrusion of the lesion on the twisted side to which the uterus was continuous or engorged blood vessels converged (n = 5); (b) thick, straight blood vessels that draped around the lesion (n = 2); (c) distinct hematoma (n = 2); and (d) complete absence of enhancement (n = 3). CONCLUSION: Three findings (a, b, and d) seem to be diagnostic of the twisted adnexal tumor and may facilitate prompt surgical intervention at examination with MR imaging or CT.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

[A case of mediastinal cystic lymphangioma in childhood].

We report a case of lymphangioma, which was widely extended from anterior to posterior mediastinum. The patient was an asymptomatic six-year-old male with a right upper mediastinal mass on chest roentgenograms. Computed tomogram showed a large anterior mediastinal mass, which extended to upper and posterior mediastinum, involving thymus, superior vena cava and innominate vein. Through midline sternotomy, the tumor was visualized and was invading the thymus, bilateral phrenic nerves, SVC and innominate veins. The tumor was also found to extend to the right side of the trachea and vertebra along the azygos vein. The tumor was resected successfully with the preservation of bilateral phrenic nerves. Macro-and microscopic examination revealed polycystic tumor with endothelialized inner spaces. Some cysts contained smooth muscle in their walls. Supportive structures contained variable amounts of fat and connective tissue. The patient weaned from mechanical respiratory support on the first post-operative day, although his diaphragms elevated slightly with poor movement. Phrenic nerve palsy was suspected, but the position and the movement of diaphragms improved four months after the operation. The patient has been well and free from tumor recurrence for four years since the operation.

Child↗

PubMed1993

Studies of a key protein in the mechanism of the excitation-contraction coupling process of frog skeletal muscle, using phenylglyoxal.

The excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling process in single twitch fibres from frog toe muscle was inhibited selectively by phenylglyoxal (PGO), a specific guanidyl modifying reagent. A new protein (31.5 kDa), which has PGO-binding ability and seems to play a key role in the E-C coupling process, was solubilized from transverse tubule membrane-junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum complexes (TTM-JSR) of frog skeletal muscles, using 14C-PGO. The monoclonal antibody against this protein applied extracellularly inhibited the E-C coupling process of the single fibres. This protein appears to constitute the very first step of input for E-C coupling. It is considered to behave as an indispensable part of an 'electrometer' to measure membrane potentials. Therefore, the name 'electrometrin' is suggested for the new protein.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Primary malignant tumor of the fallopian tube: appearance at CT and MR imaging.

Primary malignancy of the fallopian tube is a rare entity. To determine the radiologic characteristics of the tumor, 10 patients with pathologically confirmed fallopian tube malignancy (nine with adenocarcinoma and one with mixed müllerian tumor) underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and computed tomography (CT). With both CT and MR imaging, the lesion appeared relatively small, solid, and lobulated when not associated with hydrosalpinx. At CT, the lesion had an attenuation equal to that of other nonspecific soft-tissue masses and enhanced less than myometrium. On T1-weighted MR images the tumor was usually hypointense, and on T2-weighted images the tumor was most often homogeneously hyperintense. Associated CT and MR imaging findings were peritumoral ascites (four cases), intrauterine fluid collection (two cases), and hydrosalpinx (one case). MR findings allowed the lesion to be distinguished from uterine leiomyoma in three cases in which pelvic examination, ultrasound, and CT findings were equivocal.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1993

Anterior pituitary gland in pregnancy: hyperintensity at MR.

The authors obtained midline sagittal T1-weighted magnetic resonance images of the pituitary gland in 30 female patients: five pregnant; two postpartum; and 23 nonpregnant, of childbearing age, and without evidence of pituitary gland disorder. In pregnant and postpartum patients, the relative signal intensity of the anterior lobe compared with the pons was statistically higher than that in the control group (P < .001). In the pregnant patients, positive correlation was noted between the signal intensity ratio of the anterior lobe and the pons and gestational age. The authors believe that the hyperintensity of the anterior pituitary lobe in pregnant and postpartum patients is a physiologic variation. Because the anterior lobe of an infant may also be hyperintense on T1-weighted images and because the anterior lobes of an infant and a pregnant woman are histologically similar, the mechanism responsible for the hyperintensity in each case may be the same. It is important to know that the anterior lobe may be hyperintense in pregnant or postpartum women, especially in cases of probable pituitary gland abnormality accompanying pregnancy, such as pituitary hemorrhage, Sheehan syndrome, or lymphocytic adenohypophysitis.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Sustained uterine contractions: a cause of hypointense myometrial bulging.

Fifteen pregnant women were studied with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. In 14 women, the myometrium exhibited distinct hypointense bulging on T2-weighted images that distorted the gestational sac and decidua but not the outer uterine coutour. In 12 women, an obvious discrepancy was observed between the inner myometrial configuration on T1-weighted images and that on intermediate and T2-weighted images. In three women who underwent serial T2-weighted studies separated by about 30 minutes during one MR examination, hypointense myometrial bulging was observed at a different site on each study. In two women who underwent follow-up MR study within a week after dilation and curettage, the previously distinct hypointense bulging completely disappeared. These findings confirm the transient and mobile nature of this myometrial bulging. This phenomenon can be attributed to sustained uterine contractions, which partially force the blood out of the uterus. The decrease in blood volume results in a decrease in water content, which accounts for the decrease in myometrial signal intensity on T2-weighted images.

Adult↗