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Biomedical subjects

K Yasuda

Publications and source records attributed to K Yasuda.

At least 649 records · Page 36Linked to original sources

Effect of naftopidil on urethral obstruction in benign prostatic hyperplasia: assessment by urodynamic studies.

Thirty-two patients with voiding dysfunction attributable to symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia were treated with naftopidil, an alpha 1-blocker, at doses of 25-75 mg/day for 4-6 weeks. The efficacy of the drug was assessed from the changes in urinary symptoms and urodynamic data. Total symptom scores were significantly reduced after treatment (P < 0.001). Average flow rate and maximum flow rate were significantly increased (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively), and residual urine volume, residual urine rate (ratio of residual urine volume/sum of voided volume and residual urine volume), and maximum urethral closure pressure were significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P < 0.05, respectively) reduced, and at bladder capacity, the first desire to void was significantly (P < 0.05) increased. The pressure/flow study demonstrated no changes in intravesical pressure at maximum flow, but a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in minimum urethral resistance. A mild side effect (dizziness) was noted in one patient (3.3%), which soon disappeared after the dose was decreased. The efficacy was good or excellent in 21 of 30 patients (70.0%). The drug was evaluated to be promising in the treatment of bladder outlet obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

Localization of somatostatin (SRIF) SSTR-1, SSTR-2 and SSTR-3 receptor mRNA in rat brain by in situ hybridization.

In situ hybridization histochemistry was performed to analyse the distribution of the messenger RNA (mRNA) of three putative somatostatin (SRIF) receptors in rat brain, using oligonucleotide probes derived from the cDNA coding for SSTR-1, SSTR-2, and SSTR-3 receptors. SSTR-1 signals were found in layers V-VI of the cerebral cortex, in primary olfactory cortex, taenia tecta, subiculum, entorhinal cortex, granular layer of the dentate gyrus, amygdala and cerebellar nuclei. Signals for SSTR-2 were found in the frontal cerebral cortex (layers IV, V and VI), taenia tecta, claustrum, endopiriform nucleus, locus coeruleus, medial habenula, subiculum, granular cell layer of the dentate gyrus and amygdala. High levels of SSTR-3 hybridization were found in the olfactory bulb, primary olfactory cortex, islands of Calleja, medial habenula, amygdala, granular layer of the dentate gyrus, various thalamic and pontine nuclei and in the granular and Purkinje cell layers of the cerebellum. The distribution of the hybridization signals of the oligoprobes is consistent with the labelling of specific SRIF binding sites in rat brain. Especially, SSTR-2 and SSTR-1 oligos seem to label regions in which SS-1 and SS-2 receptors, respectively, have been previously characterized in autoradiographical studies. The situation is less clear with SSTR-3 mRNA, since SRIF binding in adult rats is usually low or absent in cerebellum, although some cerebellar nuclei appear to be labelled in the adult. The localization of SSTR-1, SSTR-2 and SSTR-3 mRNAs suggests that SRIF receptor subtypes in rat brain show profound differences in their distribution and are involved in a variety of central, in addition to neuroendocrine, functions.

Animals↗

Phospholipid analysis of alveolar macrophages and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid following bleomycin administration to rabbits.

Changes in the lipid metabolism of the lung during pulmonary injury were investigated by quantitative and qualitative analysis of phospholipids in pulmonary surfactant and alveolar macrophages (AM) obtained from rabbits that had been given a single transtracheal injection of bleomycin hydrochloride (BLM) 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days previously. BLM treatment increased the phospholipid content of both bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) supernatant fluids and BAL cells. Furthermore, the proportion of phosphatidylcholine (PC) showed an increase in BAL cells during the development of pulmonary injury, and BLM treatment appeared to cause transformation of AM to foamy AM. Lipid analyses of the foamy AM revealed that their phospholipid content was increased, and that the percentage of PC with palmitic acid was elevated. Thus it appears that accumulation of phospholipids derived from pulmonary surfactant contributes to the increase in phospholipids and PC in BAL cells. These findings indicate that BLM treatment produces an alteration in the amount and composition of AM phospholipids, and also in BAL supernatant fluids.

Animals↗

Thrombin-induced platelet aggregation, phosphoinositide metabolism and protein phosphorylation in NIDDM patients treated by diet, sulphonylurea or insulin.

We studied thrombin-induced metabolism of phosphoinositide, protein phosphorylation and platelet aggregation in platelets from 32 NIDDM patients and 12 control subjects. To clarify the effect of diet, sulphonylureas, or insulin treatment, the subjects were divided into three groups based on the type of treatment. Thrombin-induced platelet aggregation was measured with an aggregometer. Low-dose thrombin (0.25 U/ml)-stimulated platelet aggregation in diabetic patients was significantly increased compared with the control subjects. Platelet aggregation in the sulphonylurea and insulin groups was significantly lower than in the diet group. On the other hand, in platelets incubated with [32P]orthophosphate, thrombin-induced incorporation of 32P radioactivity into phosphatidic acid (PA) was significantly lower in the sulphonylurea and insulin groups than in the diet group. Thrombin-induced incorporation of [32P] radioactivity into phosphatidylinositol (PIP) for 10 s was significantly higher in the sulphonylurea group than in the diet group. There were no differences in thrombin-induced 47 kDa protein phosphorylation between platelets from the diet, sulphonylurea, or insulin groups. These results suggest that sulphonylureas and insulin induce suppression of thrombin-induced activation of phospholipase C, which mediates hydrolysis of PIP and PIP2 and production of PA, which leads to inhibition of platelet aggregation.

Adult↗

Usefulness of central venous oxygen saturation monitoring during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. A comparative case study with end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring.

The usefulness of continuous monitoring of central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) in comparison with the capnogram during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was demonstrated in a cardiac arrest patient. ScvO2 and end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) decreased following cessation of chest compression or increased during recovery of systemic circulation. During the complete stasis of systemic circulation, when defibrillation was done, ScvO2 did not change, while ETCO2 gradually decreased. However the larger decrease in ScvO2 temporally occurred when chest compression was resumed. And also the ScvO2 monitoring had great advantage to detecting peripheral tissue oxygenation. ScvO2 seems to be no less accurate and reliable monitoring than the capnogram during CPR procedures. Since the capnogram is non-invasively and easily used in cardiac arrest patients, ScvO2 monitoring combined with the capnogram is a more preferable method for assessing the efficacy of ongoing CPR.

Blood Gas Analysis↗

Induction of interstitial pneumonitis during interferon treatment for chronic hepatitis C.

A 48-year-old woman developed interstitial pneumonitis while receiving interferon treatment for chronic hepatitis C. Laboratory studies prior to treatment showed elevated serum alanine aminotransferase levels, but chest X-rays and physical examination revealed no abnormalities suggestive of interstitial pneumonitis. At the 9th week of interferon treatment (total dose, 380 MU of recombinant interferon-alpha, without other medications), the patient began to complain of cough and exertional dyspnea. A chest X-ray film revealed diffuse reticulo-nodular shadows in bilateral lung fields, suggesting a diagnosis of interstitial pneumonitis. A marked increase in lymphocyte count was observed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and a diagnosis of interstitial pneumonitis was made as a result of transbronchial lung biopsy. Her clinical symptoms and abnormal lung shadows were reversible, improving within a month of the discontinuation of interferon, and disappearing promptly after exogenous corticosteroid was instituted. This may be the first case of drug-induced interstitial pneumonitis occurring during the course of treatment with interferon alone. We should be aware of the possibility of interstitial pneumonitis developing during treatment of chronic hepatitis C with interferon.

Biopsy↗

New approach to aortic dissection: development of an insertable aortic prosthesis.

We have developed a new aortic prosthesis with which we can replace or reinforce the aorta using a simple percutaneous technique. We have named the new prosthesis the shape-memory aortic prosthesis (SAP); it consists of a spiral-shaped nitinol stent and polyurethane tube. It can be compressed inside a 14F catheter at a low temperature and regain its original shape at above 30 degrees C. As a preliminary study, SAP sutureless grafting into the descending aorta was performed on 10 mongrel dogs. We found that when the proper diameter of SAP was applied, it functioned satisfactorily for 3 months or more. A percutaneous placement technique pertinent to the SAP also was developed and tried on 4 animals. Our procedure was applied to Stanford type B dissection models to close the entry point successfully. This newly developed SAP has potential to be applied to emergency cases of human aortic dissections.

Aortic Dissection↗

Thyroid hormone autoantibodies in patients with Graves' disease: effect of anti-thyroid drug treatment.

We examined the effects of anti-thyroid drug treatment on serum autoantibodies against thyroid hormones (thyroid hormone autoantibodies, THAA), thyroglobulin (Tg) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) in patients with Graves' disease by measuring each autoantibody level before and after treatment. Six patients among 40 untreated patients with Graves' disease had anti-thyroxine (T4) antibodies. One patient had both anti-T4 and anti-triiodothyronine (T3) antibodies. Thus the prevalence of THAA in untreated Graves' disease was 7 out of 40 (17.5%). Changes in T4-Ab levels after treatment varied. In five cases (cases 3-7) levels decreased 4-7 months after treatment. However, in the other two cases levels fluctuated 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment. None of the previously THAA-negative patients became positive after treatment. Anti-Tg antibody (Tg-Ab) was positive in 34 out of 40 (85%) untreated cases and its level decreased in both THAA positive and negative patients after treatment. Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) was positive in 32 of the 40 (80%) untreated Graves' patients and its level significantly decreased after treatment. Our findings suggest that treatment with anti-thyroid drugs does not produce THAA in Graves' disease.

Adult↗

Distinguishing between acute and symptomatic chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Differentiating between an acute hepatitis B (AH-B) infection and an acute exacerbation of a chronic hepatitis B (CH-B) infection can present a problem for the clinician. The only current serological method of distinguishing between acute and symptomatic chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the immunoglobulin M antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) assay, which can be problematic. Therefore, in an attempt to better distinguish between acute and chronic HBV infection, sera from 26 patients with AH-B and 53 patients with CH-B were compared in a variety of experimental immunoassays. METHODS: Experimental assays have been designed to detect free antibody to hepatitis B e antigen (anti-HBe), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)/anti-HBe immune complexes (ICs), and hepatitis B surface antigens (HBsAg)/antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) in the presence of excess antigen. An additional assay was developed to detect a novel anti-HBc specificity, designated antibody to woodchuck hepatitis virus (anti-HBcW), which cross-reacts with the core antigen of the woodchuck hepatitis virus. RESULTS: Sera from patients with CH-B showed significantly higher levels of free anti-HBe, HBeAg/anti-HBe ICs, and HBsAg/anti-HBs ICs compared with AH-B patient sera. Furthermore, patients with CH-B consistently produced high titer anti-HBcW, whereas patients with AH-B produced little or no anti-HBcW antibody. CONCLUSIONS: The serology of AH-B infection and symptomatic CH-B infection can be distinguished using a variety of experimental immunoassays in addition to the immunoglobulin M anti-HBc assay.

Acute Disease↗

Bond strength of adhesive resin to three nickel-chromium alloys with varying chromium content.

This in vitro study evaluated the influence of chromium content on bond strength and durability between nickel-chromium alloys and an adhesive resin that contained 4-methacryloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride. Three nickel-chromium alloys with different chromium content, as well as pure chromium and pure nickel metals, were bonded and tested for shear strength. After repeated thermocycling, shear bond strength decrease was lower in alloys containing high chromium content. Pure chromium metal demonstrated a 15.2% decrease, whereas pure nickel metal demonstrated the greatest (53.7%) decrease. The results suggest that nickel-chromium alloys with higher chromium content are desirable for 4-methacryloxy-ethyl trimellitate anhydride resin-bonded restorations.

Acrylic Resins↗

Dimensional changes related to ordering in an AuCu-3wt%Ga alloy at intraoral temperature.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the distortion behavior of a gold alloy with age-hardening ability at intraoral temperature induced by phase transformations. METHODS: Bridge-type specimens were prepared using AuCu-3wt%Ga alloy with age-hardening ability at 37 degrees C. Dimensional changes, hardness and surface roughness were measured. Transmission electron microscopy observation was carried out using AuCu-3wt%Ga discs aged at 37 degrees C for 30 d. RESULTS: Hardening was brought about rapidly in the initial stage of aging at 37 degrees C owing to ordering. The ordering was attributed to the formation of AuCu I and AuCu II superlattices. A linear contraction of 0.04% was induced by aging at 37 degrees C for 3 d. Distortion of the bridge-type specimen was brought about by a combination of linear contractions. The surface roughness increased in the initial stage of aging due to the surface relief effect of internal coherency strain caused by tetragonality. SIGNIFICANCE: The mode of distortion may be more advantageous for use in crown-type rather than inlay-type restorations, and the amount of contraction may not produce any problems in clinical use.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Differential expression of messenger RNAs for somatostatin receptor subtypes SSTR1, SSTR2 and SSTR3 in adult rat brain: analysis by RNA blotting and in situ hybridization histochemistry.

The messenger RNAs encoding three somatostatin receptor subtypes, SSTR1, SSTR2 and SSTR3, were detected in rat by RNA blotting and in situ hybridization histochemistry to identify the sites of synthesis and expression of these somatostatin receptor subtypes. RNA blotting revealed that SSTR1 messenger RNA of 3.8 kilobases was highly expressed in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, midbrain and hypothalamus. In situ hybridization histochemistry revealed that SSTR1 messenger RNA was localized to discrete layers of the cerebral cortex, the piriform cortex and the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. SSTR1 messenger RNA was expressed at low levels in the cerebellum and pituitary and was not detectable in striatum or other peripheral organs. At least two SSTR2 messenger RNAs were detected by RNA blotting of 2.4 and 2.8 kilobases which correspond to the size of the spliced and unspliced forms of this receptor messenger RNA. SSTR2 messenger RNA detected by in situ hybridization is diffusely expressed in cerebral cortex and amygdala but is discretely localized to dentate gyrus in the hippocampus, medial habenula and ventromedial and dorsomedial nuclei and arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. The levels of SSTR2 messenger RNA are very low in the cerebellum and were not observed in the striatum or peripheral tissues other than the pituitary or adrenal gland. A single SSTR3 messenger RNA of 4.0 kilobases was seen in hippocampus, cerebral cortex, midbrain, hypothalamus and pituitary. However, the tissue with the highest levels of SSTR3 messenger RNA is the cerebellum with messenger RNA localized to the granule cell layer. The expression of the three different somatostatin receptor messenger RNAs are distinct but overlapping. Such distinct expression may contribute to the selective biological roles of the receptor subtypes.

Animals↗

Detrusor bladder neck dyssynergia revisited.

To our knowledge, direct measurement of active closure of the bladder neck during bladder contraction resulting in bladder neck dyssynergia and outflow obstruction has not yet been demonstrated. A total of 34 spinal cord injury patients underwent urodynamic investigation with 2 micro-transducer catheters in the urethrovesical and anorectal regions, respectively. Proper localization of the transducers was done with an image intensifier. The respective role of the striated and smooth muscles on bladder neck activity was evaluated after pudendal nerve blocks and phentolamine injections. Of the patients 25 had active bladder neck dyssynergia with concomitant detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. Pressures were higher in the bladder neck than in the bladder. Pudendal blocks abolished detrusor-sphincter but not bladder neck dyssynergia, which was decreased by additional phentolamine but only in patients in whom bladder neck dyssynergia was associated with autonomic hyperreflexia. Evidence is presented that active bladder neck dyssynergia may exist in patients with a neurogenic bladder and that it is seemingly dependent on alpha 1-postsynaptic and alpha 2-presynaptic adrenoreceptors.

Female↗

Relationship between bladder neck diameter and hydraulic energy at maximum flow.

A pressure-flow study was performed with a 5-micro-tip transducer catheter in 6 normal male volunteers (bladder neck diameters 0.80 cm. or larger) and 13 male subjects suspected of having bladder neck contracture. Intraurethral pressure was measured at various sites in the urethra at maximum flow to calculate hydraulic energy at these sites using the Bernoulli equation. When the subjects were divided into 2 groups (1 group with a bladder neck diameter of 0.73 cm. or larger and 1 with a bladder neck diameter of 0.60 cm. or smaller), the relative value of energy (ratios to the initial energy generated in the bladder) at the external urethral sphincter was significantly (p < 0.01) greater in the former than in the latter group. Therefore, the "flow rate controlling zone" lies at the external urethral sphincter in the former group and at the bladder neck in the latter group.

Humans↗

Effects of beta 2-stimulants on contractility and fatigue of canine urethral sphincter.

The effects of beta 2-stimulants [clenbuterol (CB) and terbutaline (TB)] on the contractility of the urethral sphincter of female dogs were studied by measuring intraurethral pressure (IUP) during stimulation of bilateral pudendal nerves. In nine dogs 1, 10 and 100 micrograms/kg. of CB were administered, but no changes in IUP were observed. In the other 33 dogs, sphincteric fatigue was experimentally prepared by electrically stimulating the pudendal nerves at 15 V, 20 Hz for 30 to 40 minutes. In fatigued sphincters, CB (n = 17) and TB (n = 7) increased the contracting pressure (pressure difference between stimulation-generated peak level and baseline level of IUP). The inotropic effect of beta 2-stimulant (TB) on the fatigued urethral sphincter was abolished by a beta-blocker, propranolol. From the present study it was concluded that beta 2-stimulants have little effect on the total contractility of the nonfatigued urethral sphincter because it is composed of smooth and striated muscles (fast- and slow-contracting muscles). However, beta 2-stimulants enhanced the contractility of fatigued urethral sphincter. These results suggest that beta 2-stimulants act on fast-contracting fibers in the urethral sphincter because the inotropic effect of sympathomimetic amine is much greater on fatigued, fast-contracting fibers than on nonfatigued ones and its depressive effect on slow-contracting fibers is not potentiated after fatigue.

Animals↗

Early evaluation of necrotizing fasciitis with use of CT.

Gas bubbles are one of the important signs in the clinical diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis, and radiographs are mandatory. An instance where gas bubbles not found on the plain radiographs were clearly shown by CT, which is a useful method for close monitoring and decompression of gas bubbles situated deeply in the spaces of the maxillo-facial and neck regions.

Adult↗