Biomedical subjects

M Harada

Publications and source records attributed to M Harada.

At least 451 records · Page 25Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

Differences in brain metabolites between patients with autism and mental retardation as detected by in vivo localized proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

We performed volume-selective proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) of the brain with a 1.5 T magnet in 28 patients with autism, and compared the results with those from 28 age-matched patients with unclassified mental retardation and 25 age-matched healthy children. Peaks for N-acetylaspartate, choline and creatine, but not lactate, were observed in each group on 1H-MRS. The N-acetylaspartate/choline ratio was lower in patients with mental retardation than in patients with autism and controls (P = .05, respectively). However, there were no differences in the N-acetylaspartate/ choline ratios between patients with autism and controls, and the N-acetylaspartate/creatine and choline/creatine ratios did not differ among the three groups. These results suggest that N-acetylaspartate is decreased in patients with mental retardation and that a disorder or dysfunction of neurons in the brain exists. There also appear to be differences in the brain lesions or dysfunctions found in patients with autism and mental retardation.

Aspartic Acid↗

PubMed1997

Growth inhibitory effects of antifolates against an adriamycin-resistant human small cell lung cancer cell line.

We have established an Adriamycin (ADM)-resistant small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell line, SBC-3/ADM 100, which shows multifactorial mechanisms of resistance to ADM, such as over-expression of P-glycoprotein, an enhanced detoxifying system and a decrease in topoisomerase II activity. In the present study, we confirmed that SBC-3/ADM 100 showed collateral sensitivity to methotrexate and TNP-351, a new antifolate, though this cell line showed a typical multidrug resistance (MDR) pattern. We also demonstrated a faster uptake and higher accumulation (1.3-fold) of TNP-351 in the SBC-3/ADM 100 cells than those in the parent SBC-3 cells. These results explain one of the mechanisms for collateral sensitivity in the resistant cells. Furthermore, this cell line was found to have no cross-resistance to edatrexate and minimal cross-resistance to trimetrexate, 254-S (cisplatin analog), 5-fluorouacil and 4-hydroperoxyifosfamide. These drugs will have clinical importance in patients with SCLC who were previously treated with an ADM-containing regimen. Thus, antifolates, especially TNP-351 and edatrexate, can be expected to eradicate residual multidrug resistant SCLC cells selected by ADM.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Direct intracerebral invasion from skull metastasis of large cell lung cancer.

A 56-year-old Japanese woman was referred to us for the treatment of lung cancer. On admission, the patient showed multiple bone metastases, including the skull, without brain metastasis. During chemoradiotherapy for the primary tumor and bone metastasis involving the thoracic spine, she suffered a fatal intracerebral hemorrhage. Since the patient had no risk factors for intracerebral hemorrhage, the skull bone metastasis was thought to be responsible for this event. At autopsy, penetration of the metastatic tumor from the skull bone into the dura, with direct invasion of the brain tissue, was confirmed histologically. A hematoma also was identified at the same site adjacent to the skull bone metastasis. To our knowledge, direct tumor invasion to the brain from a skull metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer has not been previously reported.

Biopsy↗

PubMed1997

Spontaneous remission of desquamative interstitial pneumonia.

We report a case of spontaneous remission of desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP) in a 50-year-old male. The histological diagnosis of DIP was based on open lung biopsy. A chest X-ray revealed reticulo-nodular shadows in the bilateral lung fields, and the patient had mild dyspnea on exertion. Without treatment, these shadows decreased gradually and disappeared after several months. The patient recovered completely within one year, and recurrence of the disease has not been observed for 4 years. Recently, DIP has rarely been described, and the spontaneous remission of DIP has not been reported since Carrington et al in 1978 (1).

Biopsy↗

PubMed1997

Systemic sclerosis associated with diabetes insipidus.

A rare case of systemic sclerosis that preceded the development of diabetes insipidus is reported. This 25-year-old man presented with Raynaud's phenomenon and ulceration of the tip of the right thumb. The diagnosis of systemic sclerosis was based on findings of proximal scleroderma, sclerodactyly, serological abnormalities, and skin abnormalities verified histologically. Partial central diabetes insipidus was later diagnosed after the sudden appearance of polyuria and polydipsia. Coexistence of systemic sclerosis with diabetes insipidus suggests that diabetes insipidus in this patient might have occurred via an autoimmune mechanism.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

High-dose etoposide treatment for CNS involvement in a patient with primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the breast.

A 46-year-old man was referred to us for treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL; diffuse large immunoblastic B cell type), which had initially developed in the breast. He was treated with five courses of chemotherapy with CHOP (cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine, and prednisolone) and achieved a complete response. One year later, he noticed a gait disturbance. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed multiple nodules. A few abnormal cells were found in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). He was treated with high-dose etoposide (1,350 mg/ m2/course). After two courses, both the multiple nodular lesions in the brain and the abnormal cells in the CSF were resolved. High-dose etoposide is effective for CNS involvement by NHL.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

PubMed1997

Significance of quantitative analysis of AML1/ETO transcripts in peripheral blood stem cells from t(8;21) acute myelogenous leukemia.

Autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) is replacing autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in the treatment of leukemia. One of the potential advantages of autologous PBSCT is the possibility that peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) are less likely to be contaminated by leukemic cells than bone marrow grafts. However, the major problem still remains the high incidence of leukemic relapse following autologous PBSCT, which may be caused by the reinfusion of PBSC contaminated by leukemic cells. Recently, we have developed a quantitative assay using competitive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction that estimates the number of AML1/ETO transcripts in t(8;21) acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), in order to determine the degree of leukemic cell contamination in PBSC harvests, and to monitor minimal residual disease (MRD) quantitatively in patients with t(8;21) AML. Our data indicate that although PBSC harvests collected after consolidation chemotherapy are contaminated by leukemic cells, the degree of leukemic cell contamination decreases with repeated cycles of chemotherapy. Furthermore, the MRD in PBSC harvests is less than in the corresponding bone marrow obtained on the day of the PBSC collection. There appears to be no relationship between the number of AML1/ETO transcripts found in the infused PBSC harvests and the incidence of leukemic relapse following autologous PBSCT in our study. However, a substantial decrease of AML1/ETO transcripts was seen following autologous PBSCT. Thus, the quantitative analysis of AML1/ETO transcripts may be clinically useful in patients with t(8;21) AML.

Blood Cells↗

PubMed1997

Telomerase activity in primary prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: Telomerase activity has been detected in a wide variety of human tumor types. We analyzed the telomerase activity in association with the acquisition of prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Telomerase activity in prostate tissues was examined by PCR-based telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay. RESULTS: Among 31 primary prostate cancers, 28 tissue samples (90%) displayed telomerase activity. The relative level of telomerase activity was associated with the pathological differentiation. High levels of telomerase activity were more frequently detected in poorly differentiated prostate cancer. None of the 10 samples taken from prostates with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or normal prostates expressed telomerase activity. In another 10 BPH samples obtained from prostate tissue adjacent to cancerous tissue, one of 10 samples (10%) showed weak telomerase activity. Furthermore, we investigated this activity in human prostate cancer cell lines (PC-3, LNCaP, and DU145) and all showed very high activity compared to normal human tissue samples. Four lymph nodes and one bone metastasis also exhibited extremely high telomerase activity. CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicate that telomerase activity might be a marker for detecting malignancy of the prostate and evaluating the malignant potential of prostate cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1997

[Comparative histological analysis of needle biopsy specimens, prostatectomized specimens and metastatic lymph nodes in prostatic adenocarcinoma--on the basis of the WHO histological classification].

The histological characteristics were comparatively analyzed among biopsy specimens, surgically removed prostates and metastatic lymph nodes obtained from 60 patients with prostatic adenocarcinoma treated by radical prostatectomy. According to the WHO-Mostifi's classification, the proportion of the 6 histologic components, large and/or small simple glands (LSG), micro-glands (MIC), cribriorm (CRB), fused glands (FUS), medullary/solid (MED) and columns-cords/trabecular (C-C), was determined semiquantitatively. LSG, MIC, and CRB are androgen-sensitive components, while FUS, MED and C-C are androgen-refractory components. The proportions of 5 histologic components excluding MIC were similar in the biopsy and prostate specimens. In 78.3% of the patients, the presence (or absence) of androgen-refactory components in the biopsy specimens coincided with that in the prostate specimens. However, the histologic except for the C-C component. Metastatic lymph nodes contained androgen-refactory components in all cases and tended to have more CRB and FUS and fewer LSG. The histology of the needle biopsy specimens may reflect that of the prostate glands, and may serve as a valuable parameter for determining therapeutic modalities. In addition, androgen-refactory components are frequently present in lymph node metastasis.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1997

[Influence of the dead space induced by the face mask on the measure of heart rate variability].

The respiratory pattern influences the power spectrum of heart rate variability and therefore control or monitoring of respiration is needed. The effect of the dead space induced by the face mask used in the expiratory gas exchange analysis on the measurement of heart rate variability was evaluated in 22 subjects (15 males and 7 females aged 39-76 years, mean 42 years) using electrocardiography recorded for 5 min during spontaneous respiration under the conditions of supine rest, sitting on the bicycle ergometer with and without a face mask. The power spectrum of heart rate variability was obtained by the coarse-graining spectral analysis (CGSA) method and the total power (TP : 0-0.5 Hz), low frequency component (LF: 0-0.15 Hz), high frequency component (HF: 0.15-0.50 Hz), HF/TP and LF/HF were measured. The volume of the face mask was 320 ml and the tidal volume during sitting with the face mask was 596 +/- 110 ml (444-808 ml). The value of LF/HF increased from supine rest to sitting in accordance to the change of body position (p < 0.05), but the value of LF/HF when sitting with the face mask decreased to the level during supine rest. The value of HF/TP decreased from supine rest to sitting (p < 0.05), but when sitting with the face mask returned to that during supine rest. To evaluate the effect of tidal volume, the subjects were divided into two groups (each of 11 subjects) by the median value of tidal volume (570 ml). The value of LF/HF decreased from supine rest to sitting with the face mask in the smaller tidal volume group (tidal volume < 570 ml) (p < 0.02). Moreover, there was a significant correlation between the change of the value of LF from supine rest to sitting with the face mask and the tidal volume (r = 0.44, p < 0.05). There results suggest that the power spectrum of heart rate variability is strongly influenced by the dead space induced by the face mask used in expiratory gas exchange analysis. In particular, the sympathetic activation from supine rest to sitting in subjects with the smaller tidal volume is unclear. Thus, interpretation of the results of heart rate variability with or without the face mask used in expiratory gas exchange analysis requires care.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

[Evaluation by MR imaging of the velocity and volume of pre- and postprandial portal blood flow in the presence or absence of liver cirrhosis].

PURPOSE: We measured pre- and postprandial changes in the portal flow of normal volunteers and patients with liver cirrhosis using MR imaging and examined how to quantify portal flow to evaluate liver function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three groups were selected: middle aged normal volunteers (mean age 37.2 yrs., 5 persons), aged normal volunteers (mean age 61.5 yrs., 6 persons), and patients (mean age 67.6 yrs., 7 persons). We used cine-PC and the spin-echo method to measure portal flow velocity (PV) and vertical sectional area (PA), respectively. We repeated measurements of PV and PA in turn for about 60 minutes after a meal. RESULT: There were no significant differences in PV between the three groups before the meal. Study after the meal also indicated no significant difference between the two normal groups. In the normal group, PV and portal flow volume (Pvol.) increased by about 77% and 127%, respectively. In the cirrhotic liver group, PV and Pvol. increased by about 14% and 32%, respectively. A significant difference was seen between the normal and patient groups after the meal. We, therefore considered that the changing rate of Pvol. might be a sensitive parameter for evaluating liver function, including reserve.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

[Juvenile onset of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia].

A 22-year-old first man came to our hospital because of dyspnea on exertion in February 1993, and was admitted in September 1994 because of progression of dyspnea. A chest roentgenogram showed diffuse ground-glass-opacities in the middle and lower lung fields, and an elevated diaphragm. Pulmonary-function testing revealed a low %VC and a low diffusing capacity. Examination of a specimen obtained by thoracoscopic lung biopsy revealed usual interstitial pneumonia. Immunohistochemical examinations showed the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 on vascular endothelial cells and on alveolar epithelial cells. Dust inhalation and collagen vascular disease were ruled out and the diagnosis was idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. This condition develops only rarely in patients under 60 years old.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

[Basic and clinical studies of oral barium sulfate preparations for CT].

In CT examination of the abdomen and pelvis, oral iodinated contrast agents and oral barium sulfate preparations are now being used to improve diagnostic accuracy, and studies have been carried out on their clinical usefulness. Although helical CT has come into wide spread use recently, most studies have used the ordinary type of CT. There have been no reports on studies using barium sulfate preparations with helical CT. We, therefore, prepared several barium sulfate preparations with different concentrations and particle diameters, and conducted a basic study to determine the optimal conditions for helical CT. In addition, we conducted a similar study using the ordinary imaging method for comparison with helical CT. Based on the results of these studies, we conducted a clinical study with several volunteers to find the most suitable barium sulfate preparation. Our basic study compared Baritop CT and Gastrografin, and a concentration of 1.5%-2.0% was found suitable. In our examination of particle size using animal intestines, fine particles were found to be most appropriate. Although little difference was observed between the helical procedure and the ordinary imaging procedure, the possible development of artifacts specific to the helical procedure was suggested. In the clinical study, the 2.0% preparation tended to show better contrast and a better filling rate for the upper abdominal organs than the 1.5% preparation. However, little difference in artifacts was found between them. The artifacts tended to be intensified when barium migrated toward the distal portion of the small intestine. Judging from these results, a 2.0% fine particle preparation appeared to be suitable for examination of the upper abdominal organs. For organs in the pelvic region, preparations with a lower concentration were considered suitable.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1997

[Transverse relaxation time of metabolites by proton MRS: one of the parameters concerned with quantification].

We examined the transverse relaxation time of metabolites observed by proton MRS at 6 different points of TE(18, 30, 60, 90, 135, and 270ms). The double exponential curve was better fitted to the 6 points than the single exponential curve for calculating the T2 values of the three major metabolites. We considered that these metabolites would have a long T2 component and short T2 component, and the correct T2 value is difficult to obtain under the limitations of measurement time available in clinical applications.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

[Severe aortic regurgitation with marked thickening of the aortic annulus: a case report].

A 74-year-old woman with severe aortic regurgitation and marked thickening of the aortic annulus received aortic valve replacement. Transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated marked thickening of the aortic annulus. The maximum thickness of the aortic annulus was about 11 mm at the side of the right coronary cusp. Histological examination revealed non-specific inflammation of the aortic annulus and aortic valve chiefly composed of lymphocytes and plasma cells. Thickening of the aortic annulus associated with inflammatory aortitis was the cause of aortic regurgitation in this patient.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

[The measurement of the coronary flow by the phase contrast method (cine PC, Fastcard PC)].

We confirmed the accuracy of flow velocity measured by two kinds of phase contrast (PC) sequence. The fast PC sequence(FCARDPC) showed a little different value from the conventional PC, but the linear correlation was found between established values of the instrument and the measured velocity by the fast PC. The flow velocity of the right and left coronary arteries in one cardiac cycle was measured using two PC sequences on the same subject. It was found that the flow velocity in one cardiac cycle was almost the same pattern between the two method, though the absolute values of each other differed slightly. We considered that the comparison in the same sequence would be acceptable even in clinical cases unless the values measured by a different sequence or modality were compared directly. Though our experience on diseases are still preliminary, we suggest that myocardial ischemia and dysfunction will be related with not only the decrease of velocity but also the change of flow pattern of the coronary artery in one cardiac cycle. We believe that this method has a potential becoming one of the routine methods for evaluating cardiac functions.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

PubMed1997

[Accuracy and clinical utility of quantitative proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) on phantom and chronic cerebral ischemia].

We quantified the concentration of metabolites observed by proton MRS using the tissue water signal as an internal standard. A phantom containing known concentrations of NAA (10 mM) and Cr (5 mM) was used for the study of methodological accuracy. Clinical utility was evaluated by the measurement of patients with severe stenosis or obstruction of the unilateral internal carotid artery. The concentration of tissue water was compensated using a proton-density weighted image measured with a water bag attached to the head. The calculated concentrations of NAA and Cr in the phantom were 9.2 mM (SD: 1.2) and 5.6 mM (SD: 0.7), respectively. On the ischemic side of the brain, the concentrations of NAA and Cr were lower than on the opposite side, but the concentration of choline (Cho) was almost the same on the two sides. The NAA/Cr ratio showed no statistically significant differences between the two sides, because the concentration of Cr was shown to be decreased in the ischemic area. We consider that quantitative evaluation of proton MRS might reveal changes in single metabolites clearly, thereby facilitating understanding of the results of proton MRS.

Aspartic Acid↗

PubMed1997

[Psychological investigation on spa therapy in patients with bronchial asthma].

To evaluate the effects of complex spa therapy (swimming training in a hot spring pool + fango therapy + inhalation of iodine salt solution) on psychological factors, three psychological examinations; CMI (Cornell Medical Index), SDS (Self-Rating Depression Scale) and CAI (Comprehensive Asthma Inventory); were given 25 patients with bronchial asthma (10 male, 15 female, mean age 60 years), and the results of these examinations were compared before and after spa therapy. 1. Physical symptoms, respiratory system and CIJ symptoms by CMI were significantly improved after spa therapy, however the improvement of psychical symptoms was not significant. 2. In SDS, 11 of 25 patients showed more than 40 points, indicating depressive state. The number of such patients decreased from 11 to 2 and the mean SDS score significantly improved from 38.7 to 34.2 after spa therapy. 3. Conditioning, suggestion, fear of expectation, frustration, flight into illness, negative attitudes towards prognosis, and decreased motivation towards therapy by CAI were significantly reduced after spa therapy, with the reduction in negative attitudes towards prognosis and decreased motivation towards therapy being relatively large. Furthermore, CAI score, which is the average of the categories in CAI, was also significantly decreased from 37.9 to 28.4 after spa therapy. These results suggested that complex spa therapy improves psychological factors in patients with bronchial asthma.

Aged↗