Biomedical subjects

M Ando

Publications and source records attributed to M Ando.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

Idiopathic interstitial pneumonias: diagnostic accuracy of thin-section CT in 129 patients.

PURPOSE: To determine whether idiopathic interstitial pneumonias can be differentiated on the basis of the pattern and distribution of abnormalities at thin-section computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thin-section CT scans in 129 patients with histologically proved idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (35 with usual interstitial pneumonia [UIP], 24 with bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia [BOOP], 23 with desquamative interstitial pneumonia [DIP], 20 with acute interstitial pneumonia [AIP], and 27 with nonspecific interstitial pneumonia and fibrosis [NIPF]) were independently assessed by two observers without knowledge of clinical or histologic data. The observers recorded the abnormalities, diagnosis, and degree of confidence in their diagnosis. Differential diagnosis was limited to the five types of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. RESULTS: The two observers made a correct diagnosis, on average, in 74 (57%) cases. On average, the correct diagnosis was made in 25 (71%) cases of UIP, 19 (79%) of BOOP, 14.5 (63%) of DIP, 13 (65%) of AIP, and 2.5 (9%) of NIPF. The two observers made a correct diagnosis with a high degree of confidence in 50 (39%) readings. There was moderate agreement between the observers for the correct diagnosis (k = 0.55) and for the correct diagnosis with a high degree of confidence (k = 0.65). CONCLUSION: Except for NIPF, the various subtypes of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias often have a characteristic appearance that allows differentiation at thin-section CT.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Acute interstitial pneumonia: thin-section CT findings in 36 patients.

PURPOSE: To characterize the computed tomographic (CT) findings of acute interstitial pneumonia and to correlate the pattern and the extent of abnormalities with the time between symptom onset and CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 36 patients (20 men, 16 women; age range, 22-83 years; mean age, 61 years) with histopathologically proved acute interstitial pneumonia who were identified retrospectively. The time between symptom onset and CT was 2-90 days (mean, 22 days; median, 17 days). The presence, extent, and distribution of various CT findings were evaluated. Disease duration and extent of each finding were compared by using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Areas with ground-glass attenuation, traction bronchiectasis, and architectural distortion were present in all 36 patients. Airspace consolidation was present in 33 patients (92%). The extent of areas of ground-glass attenuation (r = 0.45, P < .01) and the extent of traction bronchiectasis (r = 0.35, P < .05) correlated with disease duration. No other significant correlation was found between the CT findings and disease duration. CONCLUSION: A combination of ground-glass attenuation, airspace consolidation, traction bronchiectasis, and architectural distortion is seen in the majority of patients with acute interstitial pneumonia. The extent of ground-glass attenuation and traction bronchiectasis increases with disease duration.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1999

Voltage-dependent outward K(+) current in intermediate cell of stria vascularis of gerbil cochlea.

A voltage-dependent outward K(+) (K(V)) current in the intermediate cell (melanocyte) of the cochlear stria vascularis was studied using the whole cell patch-clamp technique. The K(V) current had an activation threshold voltage of approximately -80 mV, and 50% activation was observed at -42.6 mV. The time courses of activation and inactivation were well fitted by two exponential functions: the time constants at 0 mV were 7.9 and 58.8 ms for activation and 0.6 and 4.3 s for inactivation. The half-maximal activation time was 13. 8 ms at 0 mV. Inactivation of the current was incomplete even after a prolonged depolarization of 10 s. This current was independent of intracellular Ca(2+). Quinine, verapamil, Ba(2+), and tetraethylammonium inhibited the current in a dose-dependent manner, but 4-aminopyridine was ineffective at 50 mM. We conclude that the K(V) conductance in the intermediate cell may stabilize the membrane potential, which is thought to be closely related to the endocochlear potential, and may provide an additional route for K(+) secretion into the intercellular space.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Synchrotron microangiography reveals configurational changes and to-and-fro flow in intramyocardial vessels.

In 8 dogs, in situ microangiography using synchrotron radiation visualized penetrating transmural arteries (PTAs) with a diameter of >60 micrometers and allowed quantitation of vessel diameters of >140 micrometers. Myocardial contraction reduced the vascular short-axial diameters to 87 +/- 17% (n = 62, P < 0.001, paired t-test) of the end-diastolic values and increased the longitudinal dimension to 129 +/- 5% (n = 45, P < 0.001). The diameter reduction in the subendocardial PTA segments was significantly more marked than that in the subepicardial PTA segments (60 +/- 12 vs. 88 +/- 12%, n=13, P < 0.001, paired t-test). Intracoronary administration of dobutamine (0.1 micrograms. kg-1. min-1) increased, and in contrast, partial clamping of the coronary artery (ischemia) decreased, the configurational changes. To-and-fro blood flow was clearly observed in PTAs with visual identification of capacitive backflow, resistive forward flow during ischemia on coronary arteriography, and even under baseline conditions in coronary venography. Thus this method advances our understanding of mechanical influences on the coronary circulation.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Branching patterns of intramural coronary vessels determined by microangiography using synchrotron radiation.

The intramural coronary artery (IMCA) with a diameter of 50-500 micrometers is critical for blood supply to the inner layers of heart muscle. We introduced digital measurement to microangiography using monochromatic synchrotron radiation and quantified branching patterns of the IMCA, the epicardial coronary artery (EPCA), and the distal ileal artery (DIA). The pre- and postbranching diameters were measured (95-1,275 micrometers) in seven dogs. A typical arterial segment divided into two nearly equivalent branches, and a regression line of daughter-to-mother diameter plots was almost identical among the EPCA (y = 0.838x - 16.7 in micrometers), IMCA (y = 0.737x - 2.18), and DIA (y = 0.755x + 8.63). However, a considerable difference was present at a segment where a proximal IMCA branched off from an EPCA (y = 0.182x + 90.2). Moreover, a proximal IMCA diameter had no relationship to the branching order from an EPCA. The precision of this method was confirmed by the good correlation of diameter measurements between two independent observers (r = 0.999, y = 1.02x - 1.07). In conclusion, using digital microangiography we demonstrated that the self-similar branching pattern of coronary arteries was discrete at the connection between the IMCA and EPCA.

Angiography↗

PubMed1999

Difference in apoptotic function between eosinophils from peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage in chronic eosinophilic pneumonia.

We compared apoptosis in eosinophils from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL-Eos) with that in eosinophils from peripheral blood (PB-Eos) of 4 patients with chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP). The survival rate of the BAL-Eos on the 3rd day of the culture was significantly higher than that of the PB-Eos (39.1 vs. 1.3%). The percentage of apoptotic cells in the PB-Eos after a 24-hour incubation was higher than that in the BAL-Eos (21.7 vs. 10.6%) according to an analysis with annexin V. We further found that ECF-PI9, an eosinophil chemotactic factor (ECF) derived from an established T cell line (STO-2), significantly suppressed the apoptosis of both PB-Eos and BAL-Eos and prolonged their survival. The expression of Fas on PB-Eos was significantly suppressed by ECF-PI9 (18.5 to 7.37%, p < 0. 05), whereas ECF-PI9 failed to suppress the Fas expression on BAL-Eos (3.3 to 3.6%). In addition, an ECF with similar physicochemical properties and biological functions was isolated from the BAL fluid of patients with CEP. These data demonstrate differences between PB-Eos and BAL-Eos, and indicate that ECF-PI9 is involved in the pathogenesis of CEP.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed1999

Role of T cells in bronchoalveolar space in the development of interstitial pneumonia induced by superantigen in autoimmune-prone mice.

To study the mechanisms underlying the development of interstitial pneumonia in autoimmune disease, we analyzed bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in an animal model of interstitial pneumonia in which an intratracheal instillation of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) induced interstitial pneumonia in autoimmune-prone mice. Increases in the numbers of total cells, macrophages, lymphocytes, and neutrophils were observed in BALF from SEB-treated MRL +/+ mice, and peaked at 3 d after SEB administration (Day 3). Flow cytometric analyses revealed increases in SEB-reactive Vbeta8(+) T cells, indicating that SEB-reactive cells play an important role in bronchoalveolar space. The expressions of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interferon (IFN)-gamma, JE/monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, regulated on activation, normal T cells expressed and secreted, and KC/gro messenger RNA (mRNA) in BALF cells from SEB-treated mice peaked at Day 3. Increased expression of TNF-alpha mRNA was observed mainly in macrophages and CD8(+) T cells, and the increase in IFN-gamma mRNA was observed mainly in CD8(+) T cells in BALF at Day 3. The expression of platelet-derived growth factor mRNA was very weak at Day 3 but strongly expressed at Day 14. An immunosuppressant, FK506, but not corticosteroid, suppressed SEB-induced T-cell expansion in BALF as well as increased cytokine and chemokine production in the bronchoalveolar space of SEB-treated mice. Histologically, FK506 but not corticosteroid significantly reduced both the cell infiltration to alveolar septal walls and the synthesis of pulmonary collagen fibers. Further, transfer of T cells of MRL +/+ mice with SEB into SCID mice gave rise to interstitial pneumonia. These results suggest that superantigen-reactive T cells in the bronchoalveolar space may trigger the development of interstitial pneumonia in this model.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Dynamic intravenous coronary angiography using 2D monochromatic synchrotron radiation.

A method of examination for coronary artery disease that is less invasive and easier than coronary angiography (CAG) has been sought. We have developed a dynamic intravenous coronary angiography (IVCAG) system using synchrotron radiation (SR) and have used it clinically. Four patients suspected of having angina pectoris underwent IVCAG. An SR beam was reflected asymmetrically with a silicon crystal to produce a wide (150 mm x 80 mm) and monochromatic (37 keV) X-ray beam, with an energy level to achieve high sensitivity to the contrast agent. Following an intravenous injection of contrast agent, irradiation was applied for 4 ms periods at 33 ms intervals for dynamic IVCAG at 30 images s-1. Images were acquired with an image intensifier and recorded with a digital fluorography system. The dynamic images permitted clear visualization of the coronary arteries and permitted evaluation of coronary anatomy. Two patients exhibited no stenotic lesions, one patient had a 90% stenosis in the right coronary artery, and the remaining patient had a 25% stenosis at the site of previous percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in the left anterior descending artery (LAD). The total irradiation doses used for IVCAG were less than those for conventional angiography. Dynamic IVCAG can be readily used for the evaluation of coronary arteries.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Temperature and air pollution as risk factors for heat stroke in Tokyo, July and August 1980-1995.

Heat stroke is associated with prolonged exposures to high air temperatures that usually occur in the summer months of July and August in Tokyo, Japan. Also during July and August, residents of Tokyo are often exposed simultaneously to high concentrations of air pollutants. To assess the impacts of these combined exposures, daily numbers of heat stroke emergency transport cases/million residents for Tokyo were stratified by gender and three groups: 0-14, 15-64; and > 65 years of age, for the months of July and August in 1980-1995. A regression model was constructed using daily maximum temperature (Tmax) and daily average concentrations of NO2 and O3 as model covariates. Classification indices were added to make it possible to compare the expected number of heat stroke cases by age and gender. Lag times of 1-4 days in Tmax and air quality covariates and terms to account for interactions between pairs of model covariates were also included as additional risk factors. Generalized linear models (GLMs), assuming a Poisson error structure for heat stroke emergency transport cases, were used to determine which covariates were significant risk factors for heat stroke for the three age groups of males and females. Same-day Tmax and concentrations of NO2 were the most significant risk factors for heat stroke in all age groups of males and females. The number of heat stroke emergency transport cases/million residents was greater in males than in females in the same age groups. The smallest number of heat stroke emergency transport cases/million residents occurred for females 0-14 years of age and the greatest number of heat stroke emergency transport cases/million residents occurred for males > 65 years of age.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Histopathologic prognostic factors in resected adenocarcinomas: is nuclear DNA content prognostic?

BACKGROUND: The pathobiological characteristics of lung adenocarcinoma are still unclear. To identify the factors that may affect the survival of patients undergoing pulmonary resections for adenocarcinoma of the lung, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for 17 variables of the host, histopathology, nuclear DNA content (NDC), and morphometry of nucleus (nuclear area [NA]) of tumor cells. METHODS: Seventy-two consecutive patients who underwent resection at the National Cancer Center in Tokyo were studied. They consisted of 45 men and 27 women with an average age of 61.7 years (range, 27 to 83 years). For these patients, NDC and NA were prospectively measured by cytofluorometry and morphometry, respectively. For univariate analysis, 17 factors were studied, including age, sex, TNM stage, diameter of the tumor, pleural involvement, degree of differentiation, scar grade, nuclear atypia, mitotic index, histogram pattern of NDC, mean NDC, number of aneuploid stem cell lines, and mean and SD of NA. A multivariate analysis was performed with Cox's regression model for 16 variables. RESULTS: In the univariate analysis, 12 factors were significantly related to postoperative survival, including TNM stage, diameter, pleural involvement, nuclear atypia, mitotic index, mean NA, mean NDC, number of aneuploid stem cell lines, and the DNA histogram pattern. In the multivariate analysis, M, T, and the histogram pattern of NDC were significantly associated with survival while N showed a strong, but not significant, association. CONCLUSIONS: Multivariate analysis of histopathologic prognostic factors indicated that the TNM stage, as well as each component independently, still provided the greatest prognostic value in resected adenocarcinomas of the lung. Among other factors, only NDC significantly affected survival. The importance of NDC measurement should be stressed for predicting the survival after surgical resection more accurately and for selecting patients with a higher risk of recurrence.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1999

Satisfaction of patients treated surgically for intractable aspiration.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Impaired laryngeal protective function can result in intractable aspiration requiring surgical treatment. There are, however, few reports evaluating the satisfaction of patients and the efficacy of surgical therapy. The purpose of this study is to determine whether surgery for intractable aspiration is beneficial for alleviating depression and improving the mood of patients who have undergone surgical treatment and whether patients and their families are satisfied with the therapy. PATIENTS AND STUDY DESIGN: Seven patients with recurrent aspiration pneumonia that could not be controlled by appropriate medical therapies participated in the study. These patients had no hope of recovering laryngeal function. Six underwent laryngectomy and one underwent laryngotracheal separation. After surgery, we evaluated the efficacy of the therapy and the patients' satisfaction with the therapy. METHODS: The following clinical variables concerning surgical procedure were examined: operation time, time until oral intake, videofluorographic study, and surgical complications. The treatment methods including feeding status were also examined before and after surgery. In addition, the following markers were examined to evaluate the efficacy of the surgery: score of aspiration pneumonia, body mass index, total protein, albumin, hematocrit, WBC count, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and the Barthel Index, an indicator of daily activity. Furthermore, the grade of depression and mood, and satisfaction of patients and their caretakers among family members were scored by the Zung self-rating depression scale, a 20-picture face scale, and the visual analog scale. RESULTS: After surgical therapy, we confirmed by videofluorography that aspiration was completely prevented. No surgical complications occurred. By 18 +/- 6 days, all seven patients were able to ingest a meal orally. The need for extensive medical care and repeated hospitalizations became unnecessary after surgery. The control of pneumonia and albumin improved significantly. The grade of depression and mood of patients and their families also improved significantly. Satisfaction scores of patients receiving therapy were very high. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that surgical therapy to prevent aspiration improves the depression and mood of patients and their families as well as feeding status and clinical outlook. Surgical therapy for patients with intractable aspiration is effective and beneficial.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Rat ovarian interleukin-1alpha: interleukin-1-dependent in vitro expression.

Evidence exists supporting the possibility that intraovarian interleukin-1 (IL-1) may play an intermediary role in the periovulatory cascade. Although the existence of a mammalian intraovarian IL-1 system has been convincingly demonstrated, most efforts have focused on the possibility that the mammalian ovary is a site of IL-1b production, reception, and action. The objective of this study was to explore the possibility of ovarian IL-1a expression, characterize its pattern of expression by cultured ovarian cells, and study its hormonal regulation. The basal in vitro expression of IL-1a by cultured whole ovarian dispersates from immature rats increased spontaneously, reaching a peak (sixfold increase over untreated controls) at 4 h. Treatment with an IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), human chorionic gonadorropin, or IL-1b failed to attenuate the initial 4-h burst of IL-1a expression. By contrast, treatment of whole ovarian dispersates with IL-1b for 48 h resulted in significant upregulation of IL-1a transcripts (60-fold increase). This IL-1b effect was completely blocked by cotreatment with IL-1RA, thereby suggesting mediation via a specific IL-1 receptor. The IL-1b effect proved to be protein biosynthesis and eicosanoid dependent, nitric oxide independent, and relatively specific in that it was not reproduced by a select series of other granulosa cell agonists.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

High-temperature effects on antibody response to viral antigen in mice.

To determine the effects of high-temperature exposure on antibody response to viral antigen in mice, male BALB/c mice were placed for 13 days in animal chambers at 23 degrees C, 32 degrees C, and 35.5 degrees C. Rectal temperature rose from 37 degrees C to 39 degrees C on day 1 in a 35.5 degrees C environment. The rectal temperature was kept constant throughout the exposure period. The IgG-antibody to Sendai virus (SV) antigen was inhibited to about 50% of the control value (23 degrees C). The serum corticosterone concentration indicating thermal stress increased steadily, peaking on day 1 and then gradually decreased and recovered to the normal level on day 13. Body weight decreased to about 72% of the controls on day 13. Thymus and spleen weight decreased to 31.7% and 61.5% respectively. At 32 degrees C, these effects were less than at 35.5 degrees C. Effects of high-temperature exposure at 35.5 degrees C appeared to noticeably decrease thymus and spleen weight. It is clear that IgG-antibody response to SV antigen is suppressed by high-temperature exposure.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Eicosapentanoic acid reduces plasma levels of remnant lipoproteins and prevents in vivo peroxidation of LDL in dialysis patients.

Causative factors of uremia-associated atherosclerosis are complex. However, it is likely that atherogenic lipoproteins accumulated in plasma are involved. Remnant lipoproteins are atherogenic and are frequently observed in uremic plasma. LDL from uremic patients has been shown to be susceptible to in vitro peroxidation, suggesting that oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) could be excessively generated in those patients. No effective treatments to prevent accumulation of both atherogenic lipoproteins in dialysis patients have been published. Eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) may change synthesis and/or catabolism of remnant lipoproteins and increase stability of LDL to peroxidation by altering the fatty acid composition of lipoproteins. A prospective comparative study was conducted to assess the efficacy of EPA on metabolism of remnant lipoproteins and ox-LDL in dialysis patients using two new methods: an immunoaffinity gel separation for quantifying plasma remnant lipoproteins and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for measuring plasma ox-LDL levels, a marker for in vivo LDL peroxidation. Twenty-two hemodialysis and 16 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients with relatively high plasma levels of remnant lipoproteins and ox-LDL were randomized to either EPA or placebo. Highly purified EPA, in an ethyl-ester form (ethyl all-cis-5,8,11,14,17-icosapentanoate) with a purity greater than 91%, was administered at a dose of 1800 mg daily. Overall, 3 mo of treatment with EPA significantly reduced the levels of both remnant lipoproteins (52% reduction) and ox-LDL (38% reduction). Additionally, gel filtration chromatography of lipoproteins showed that EPA treatment concomitantly normalized other potential abnormalities in lipoproteins. Treatment compliance was good and no critical adverse effects were observed. In conclusion, EPA administration proved to be effective and safe treatment to decrease plasma remnant lipoproteins and prevent in vivo peroxidation of LDL in dialysis patients.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1999

Peripheral arterial coil embolization for hepatic arteriovenous malformation in Osler-Weber-Rendu disease; useful for controlling high output heart failure, but harmful to the liver.

A 55-year-old Japanese housewife, who had Osler-Weber-Rendu disease, was admitted to our hospital because of frequent epistaxis and worsening exertional dyspnea. The computed tomography and hepatic arteriography revealed large hepatic arteriovenous malformation, which was considered to be the leading cause of her high output heart failure. Two series of hepatic arterial coil embolization procedures were performed to reduce hepatic shunt flow. They temporarily improved her cardiac condition, but gradually induced progressive hepatic failure due to intrahepatic cholangitis. Hepatic dysfunction restricted her quality of life and lead to a fatal clinical course one year after the second coil embolization.

Arteriovenous Malformations↗

PubMed1999

Analysis of transthyretin amyloid fibrils from vitreous samples in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (Val30Met).

The aim of the present study was to analyze the forms of wild type and mutated monomeric transthyretin (Val30Met) in the amyloid fibrils of patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The solubility of amyloid fibrils from the vitrectomized samples was examined to determine the appropriate solution for ESI-MS. ESI-MS analysis revealed that heterozygotic Val30Met amyloid fibrils contained 14.6 +/- 7.5% normal TTR. In all samples, 3 different types of variant ATTR could be identified: Full length ATTR, and -57, and -157 (or 156) Da from ATTR Val30Met were found. The two peaks showing -57, and -157 (or 156) Da from ATTR Val30Met corresponded to the -Gly, and -Gly-Pro sequences of ATTR Val30Met from the N-terminal. The results illustrate the heterogeneity of ATTR amyloid deposits and this method may be very useful for analyzing amyloid fibrils in ATTR related amyloidosis.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Sensitivity of shuttle vector plasmid pZ189 DNA to carbon ion beams.

The sensitivity of shuttle vector plasmid pZ189 DNA to carbon ion beams was studied under dry conditions. This plasmid contains the supF gene that can be used in mutagenesis analysis. The survival curve of the plasmid had both a shoulder and exponential parts, and showed a D10 value of about 17 kGy for both Escherichia coli wild-type and DNA repair-deficient mutant (UV-sensitive) strains. Therefore, it was assumed that the excision repair system was not effective for repairing DNA lesions induced by irradiation with carbon ion beams.

Carbon↗

PubMed1999

[Asymmetric confusability effect in recognition memory of cats pictures].

Performance superiority of the addition of features in the stimuli over the deletion on recognition (asymmetric confusability effect) has been shown in previous studies (Pezdek, Maki, Valencia-Laver, Whetstone, Stoeckert, & Dougherty, 1988; Ando & Hakoda, 1998). We investigated the same effect by using a familiar living thing (cat) as a stimulus. Ten subjects were given a recognition task using pictures of cats with feature changes (additions, deletions, or no change). Results showed that the picture with deletions were easier to recognize than those with additions, which was opposite to the previous studies. Then, we examined the possibility that performance superiority of the deletions over the additions was mediated by the factor of impression. Another group of 18 subjects was asked to rate the impression scales consisting of a "typicality-reality factor", a "stability-balance factor", and a "grotesque-disgust factor". Results showed that there was a significant difference in impression ratings for each factor between the additions and the deletions, and that impression ratings predicted recognition performance well. It was concluded that performance superiority of the deletions over the additions was mediated by the factor of impression.

Adult↗