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Biomedical subjects

M Hashimoto

Publications and source records attributed to M Hashimoto.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Impact of emotion on memory. Controlled study of the influence of emotionally charged material on declarative memory in Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: In an earlier study we showed that a powerful emotional experience (the Kobe earthquake) reinforced memory retention in patients with Alzheimer's disease, but we could not control factors other than the emotional impact of the earthquake. AIMS: To test our previous findings in a controlled experimental study. METHOD: Recall tests consisting of two short stories were administered to 34 patients with Alzheimer's disease and 10 normal subjects. The two stories were identical except for one passage in each story: one was emotionally charged (arousing story) and the other (neutral story) was not. RESULTS: In both groups, the emotionally charged passage in the arousing story was remembered better than the counterpart in the neutral story. In addition, the extent of the memory improvement was similar in the subjects and in the controls. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide further evidence that emotional arousal enhances declarative memory in patients with Alzheimer's disease, and give a clue to the management of people with dementia.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Cardiac tumor biopsy under the guidance of intracardiac echocardiography.

Transthoracic echocardiography or transesophageal echocardiography is sometimes useful in intracardiac tumor biopsy. Intracardiac echocardiography was used as an alternative to either of these for performing a biopsy of a right cardiac tumor in a 79-year-old woman. The procedure was well tolerated and no complications occurred. Histopathological findings and immunohistological staining were compatible with the diagnosis of neurogenic sarcoma.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

[Pharmacological profiles of latanoprost (Xalatan), a novel anti-glaucoma drug].

Latanoprost is a novel prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) derivative. Topically applied latanoprost into the glaucomatous monkey eyes lowered intraocular pressure (IOP). Latanoprost, however, failed to produce the hypotensive effect in either rabbit or cat eyes. This species difference may be attributed to its high selectivity for the FP receptor and differences in prostaglandin receptor subtypes existed in the eye amongst these species. In ligand binding studies with bovine corpus luteum cell membranes, the Kd value for the FP receptor of latanoprost was the same as that for PGF2 alpha, 2.8 nM. Latanoprost augmented uveoscleral outflow (Uv) in monkeys without affecting trabecular outflow or outflow facility like PGF2 alpha. Although the precise mechanism of the increase in Uv is not fully understood, it is suggested that a decrease in extracellular matrix components in ciliary muscle may contribute to the increase in Uv. On the other hand, an increase in blood flow at the optic nerve head and neuroprotective action in addition to the IOP lowering effect may contribute to the efficacy of latanoprost in glaucoma therapy. Only tolerable conjunctival hyperemia was seen in rabbits. A phase III clinical trial revealed latanoprost (0.005%) once daily produced sustained reduction of IOP in ocular hypertension or primary open-angle glaucoma patients to a greater extent than timolol did. Furthermore, the effects of latanoprost on aqueous humor dynamics in normal human volunteers were similar to those in monkeys, indicating that latanoprost lowers IOP by the increase in Uv in humans.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Morphological study of the femur in osteopetrotic (op/op) mice using microcomputed tomography.

Osteopetrosis is an inherited metabolic disorder in which normal bone remodelling is inhibited. Its primary cause is considered to be disruption of the functional balance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts as well as a reduction in the quantity of osteoclasts. The purpose of this study was to observe morphological characteristics of the femur in osteopetrotic (op/op) mice, in which the pathogenic mechanism of osteopetrosis has been shown to operate, using microcomputed tomography (micro-CT), in addition to macro-anatomical observations. Previously, micro-CT has been used mainly for morphometry of a small portion of cancellous bone. However, with recent improvements it has become possible for three-dimensional (3D) observations of bone using slightly larger samples to be made. In this study, the accuracy of reconstructed 3D images of the femur produced by micro-CT was confirmed by comparison with the original femur. In addition, an arbitrary cross-section could be displayed on the screen for detailed examination of its internal structure, and the volume percentage of trabecular bone in a particular region of interest could be measured in three dimensions. The results of this study revealed that the femur was smaller and malformed in the op/op mouse compared with the controls, and the differences were greater at the age of 18 weeks than at 5 weeks. In the control mice, bone marrow occupied a large space in the centre of the body of the femur, whereas this area was occupied by calcified bone tissue in the mutant mice. Moreover, when 3D bone density was measured in the region of interest, the value was greater in the mutants than in the controls at both 5 weeks and 18 weeks of age. This study also showed that micro-CT can be applied to 3D morphometric analyses.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Association of coronary risk factors and endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery.

Impaired endothelial function has been reported to be the initial step in atherosclerosis. Some coronary risk factors independently relate to impaired endothelial function. However, few studies have examined the association between coronary risk factors and endothelial function in patients who have multiple risk factors without clinical atherosclerosis. This study was undertaken to elucidate the relationship between accumulation of coronary risk factors and vascular endothelial dysfunction. We examined 101 subjects with one or more coronary risk factors 56.8 +/- 1.0 years old and 40 age-matched control subjects without coronary risk factors. We measured brachial artery diameter non-invasively using a 7.5-MHz ultrasound machine at rest, during reactive hyperemia caused by endothelium-dependent vasodilatation, and after sublingual administration of nitroglycerin, which causes endothelium-independent vasodilatation. The percentage change in flow-mediated diameter (%FMD; deltaD/D x 100), in subjects with one or more coronary risk factors was significantly lower than that in control subjects(4.8 +/- 0.3% vs. 6.7 +/- 0.5%, p < 0.01). Endothelium-independent vasodilatation by nitroglycerin did not differ between the two groups. Endothelial function was impaired according to the accumulation of coronary risk factors. On multiple regression analysis, the number of risk factors, age, and brachial artery diameter at rest showed significant correlation with %FMD. Our results suggest that an accumulation of coronary risk factors was significantly related to impairment of endothelial function.

Arteriosclerosis↗
PubMed2000

Recent epidemiological status of feline upper respiratory infections in Japan.

Epidemiology of upper respiratory infections of cats was studied. Nasal, ocular, and oral swabs collected from 111 cats presented at animal hospitals during the past 2.5 years were examined. Twenty-four (21.6%) and 4 (3.6%) cats were diagnosed as feline calicivirus (FCV) infection and feline viral rhinotracheitis, respectively, indicating FCV is more prevalent than feline herpesvirus-1, which revealed a considerable shift from data obtained in 1970s. Cat sera immunized by using vaccines containing either FCV F9 or 255 strains neutralized 42.9% and 66.7% of the FCV isolates, respectively. Chlamydia psittaci, examined by a PCR assay amplifying the ompA gene, was found in 26.9% of 26 diseased cats that typically showed conjunctivitis and rhinitis.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Correlations of calcium accumulations in arteries, veins, cartilages, ligaments, and bones in single humans.

To show the relationships of calcium accumulation in the thoracic aorta to the other tissues, calcium contents were determined with a microwave-induced plasma-atomic emission spectrometer on arteries, veins, cartilages, ligaments, and bones. These tissues were resected from 18 individuals, consisting of 11 men and 7 women who died in the age range 59-91 yr. As thoracic and abdominal aortas are routinely used for radiographic examination of arterial calcification, they appear to be standard tissues of the calcium accumulation. The calcium accumulations were determined in the femoral artery, the superior and inferior venae cavae, the internal jugular vein, cartilages of the articular disk of the temporomandibular joint and the intervertebral disk, both the ligaments of the anterior cruciate ligament and the ligamentum capitis femoris, and the calcaneus, in contrast with the thoracic aorta. As calcium increased in the thoracic aorta, it increased in the femoral artery, the articular disk of the temporomandibular joint, the intervertebral disk, both ligaments of the anterior cruciate ligament, and the ligamentum capitis femoris, but it did not increase in veins, such as the superior and inferior venae cavae and the internal jugular vein. In contrast, it decreased in the calcaneus.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Development of the cavernous sinus in the fetal period: a morphological study.

The development and morphological structure of the lateral sellar compartment (LSC), an interdural space containing the cavernous sinus (CS), cranial nerves, and internal carotid artery (ICA), was investigated by histological examination of sections of the LSC and cerebral venograms from human fetal specimens. Twenty-eight LSC coronal sections were obtained from 14 fetuses of 13-32 weeks' gestation. Venograms of 11 other fetuses of 13-32 weeks' gestation were studied to observe changes in venous drainage. The CS appeared as a collection of small venous canals with an endothelial layer. These venous canals gradually became much larger through expansion and unification. The CS and basilar venous plexus were demonstrated as a faint cluster of small vessels on venograms obtained after 13 weeks' gestation. The dura mater increased in thickness and collagen fiber networks developed around all the components in the LSC after 23 weeks' gestation. The LSC lateral wall could not be histologically differentiated as separate multiple layers. Branching and joining of the cranial nerve fascicles were completed with the envelopment of collagen fibers after 23 weeks' gestation. The ICA at 13-15 weeks' gestation ran straight within the LSC, becoming tortuous before birth. CS formation occurs through the development of venous canals without smooth muscle layers, followed by web-formation by collagen fibers in the mesenchymal interstices. LSC formation, including the dense dura mater and an internal structure like that seen in the adult, is largely completed before birth.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Apolipoprotein E, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) mutation and the risk of senile dementia--an epidemiological study using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method.

We examined apolipoprotein E (Apo E) polymorphism and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677 C to T mutation by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method in 100 elderly Japanese aged 60 or more, and assessed whether these genetic factors are associated with an increased risk for the clinical phenotypes of senile dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD) by cross-sectional survey. It was found that the Apo E epsilon 4 allele were associated with an increased prevalence of AD as previously reported. Although, it was not strongly related to the severity of senile dementia, a weak association between the ApoE genotype and the severity of dementia was suggested. The proportion of patients with senile dementia was higher in the group of carriers of MTHFR mutation than in the group of noncarriers. Furthermore, the proportion of male patients with senile dementia was higher in the group of homozygous for the mutation (+/+) than the group without the mutation (-/-). Notably in VD patients, 5 of 7 males had the +/+ genotype. The results suggest that the ApoE epsilon 4 genotype and the MTHFR mutation are associated with the clinical phenotype and the clinical onset of senile dementia.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

A case of synchronous double cancers of the pancreas and stomach.

Pancreatic cancer carries a poor prognosis, especially invasive ductal carcinoma of the pancreas. We present here the case of a 76-year-old man who developed synchronous double cancers of the stomach and pancreas. He was referred to our hospital in December, 1997, with a provisional diagnosis of carcinoma of the stomach. Laboratory data on admission showed normal levels except for the serum carcinoembryonic antigen level. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a low echoic mass anterior to the pancreas, suggestive of a nodal metastasis. Intraoperative histological findings from the pancreatic nodule confirmed a primary pancreatic cancer. The diagnosis of double cancers of the stomach and pancreas was made, and subtotal gastrectomy and distal pancreatectomy with lymph nodes dissection were carried out. The histologic sections from the stomach showed a moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma, whereas those from the pancreas showed a well to moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma. Double carcinomas in this association are relatively rare.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Two cases of biliary hemorrhage after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in which transcatheter arterial embolization was effective.

Patient No. 1 was a 66-year-old male who was diagnosed as having cancer of the caput pancreatis, and underwent percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD). Since the tube slipped out, percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) was performed. After PTGBD, biliary hemorrhage was observed for two to three days, then hemorrhage disappeared and bile flowed smoothly. Since the tube was likely to slip out, the tube was replaced. After replacement of the tube, biliary hemorrhage was noted for two to three days, then spontaneously subsided again. After icterus was reduced, pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. During surgery, a number of massive blood clots were noted in the bile duct. The PTGBD tube was removed, and a transjejunal tube was placed. On the 11th day after the surgery, hemorrhage occurred in the bile duct tube, and the patient went into shock. Emergency abdominal angiography was performed. A false aneurysm was detected in A6 and embolized using a microcoil. After transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE), hemorrhage stopped, and the patient was discharged. Patient No. 2 was a 68-year-old male who was diagnosed as having cholelithiasis and underwent PTBD. On the 21st day after PTBD, biliary hemorrhage occurred and the patient fell in shock status. Emergency abdominal angiography was performed. A false aneurysm was detected in A3 and embolized using a microcoil. After TAE, cholangioscopic lithectomy was performed and the disease alleviated. Thereafter the patient was discharged. It is necessary to consider false aneurysm when biliary hemorrhage occurs after PT(G)BD.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

A case of duodenal papillary carcinoma complicated by repeated acute pancreatitis.

We present a patient with duodenal papillary carcinoma who repeatedly developed acute pancreatitis preoperatively. The patient was a 65-year-old male. In February 1997, the patient consulted a local hospital due to vomiting, high fever, and jaundice. With the diagnosis of obstructive jaundice, percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) was performed, revealing a distal bile duct obstruction. Because duodenal papillary carcinoma was diagnosed based on endoscopic findings, the patient was admitted to Kurume University Hospital. Hypotonic duodenography (HDG) disclosed a protruding lesion with an irregular surface in the descending part of the duodenum, resulting in a diagnosis of positive duodenal invasion (du1). Because computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a protruding lesion on the medial side of the second portion of the duodenum, positive pancreatic invasion (panc2) was diagnosed. On March 18 and April 22, sudden abdominal pain, leukocytosis, and an increase in serum amylase were noted. CT revealed that the pancreas was diffusely enlarged, showing an ill-defined boundary between the pancreas and adipose tissue and fluid collection. On CT, the lesion was evaluated as Grade 3 and moderate. For treatment, pancreatic enzyme inhibitors and antibiotics were intravenously injected. Peritoneal perfusion was concomitantly performed during the second treatment. Because symptoms remitted thereafter, a pylorus preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PpPD) was carried out. The postoperative histologic examination revealed negative pancreatic invasion. Concerning the etiology of acute pancreatitis, not pancreatic invasion, but impaction of the liberated tumor mass in the common canal was considered responsible for the repeated pancreatitis because the tumor showed a cauliflower-like shape.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

A case of intrahepatic gallstone formation around nylon suture for hepatectomy.

A 69-year-old female underwent left lobectomy for hepatolithiasis in February 1994. She was admitted to the Kurume University Hospital in December 1997 because computed tomography (CT) showed calcification in the porta hepatis. Ultrasonography (US) revealed a hyperechoic area with an acoustic shadow in the right hepatic duct. Dilated intrahepatic bile ducts and a mural lucent area in the right hepatic duct were noted on endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC). Although the above findings suggested a diagnosis of recurrent hepatolithiasis, percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) for biopsy was performed in order to rule out cancer. Biopsy showed no evidence of malignancy. Under a cholangioscope, a tip of a nylon suture was found to be protruding into the bile duct. Although a gallstone had already slipped off, the surface of the nylon suture was covered with biliary sludge. The protruding tip of the nylon suture was considered to be the nucleus of the stone. The tip was removed under cholangioscopy. Postoperative CT confirmed the absence of calcification in the porta hepatis. There has been no recurrence of hepatolithiasis after surgery. Although the formation of gallstones around the core of nylon sutures is very rare, absorbable sutures should be used during surgery of the bile duct because nonabsorbable sutures can become the nucleus of gallstones.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

[Surgery for intrathoracic recurrence of non-small cell lung cancer].

In this study, we defined a solitary lung nodle in the same histology which could be traced its' origin from carcinoma in situ or was found over than two years' follow up as a second primary lung cancer. These cases were excluded. Eighteen cases underwent second surgery for intrathoracic recurrence. Fourteen cases were male and four cases were female. Their ages ranged from 23 to 75 (average 59.6) years. The histology were adenocarcinoma in 9 cases, squamouscarcinoma in 7, adenosquamous carcinoma in 1, large cell carcinoma in 1. The initial surgical procedures were lobectomy in 17, partial resection in 1. The initial stage were I in 13, II in 2, IIIA in 1. Pulmonary recurrence were found in 10, bronchial stump recurrence were found in 4, pulmonary hilus lymph node recurrence were found in 2, mediastinal lymph node recurrence were found in 2, pulmonary stump recurrence was found in 1. The second surgical procedures were completion pneumonectomy in 7, completion lobectomy in 1, lobectomy with segmentectomy in 1, segmentectomy or partial resection in 7, mediastinal dissection in 2. The overall 5-year survival rate of the patients with recurrence after reoperation was 31.8%. An aggressive surgical approach for recurrent lung cancer should be recommended.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Subjective burdens of families caring for "frail elderly" in their homes].

The purpose of the study is to measure the subjective burdens of families caring for "frail elderly" in their homes and to clarify the relationships between caregivers' subjective burdens and the health conditions of the "frail elderly", the family's conditions, the use of social services and availability of social supports. The subjects consisted of caregivers of the elderly who also were using nursing services from K Home Visit Nursing Care Station (K-Station). We mailed subjective burden questionnaires to 98 families among users of K-Station from December of 1994 to March of 1995. We used the 12 items developed by Nakatani as a scale to measure subjective burdens. Each item was stratified into 4 grade levels from "agree" to "disagree". We asked nurses at K-Station about "frail elderly" ADL conditions in detail, the extent of medical dependency and the will of families to care for the elderly. A total of 76 questionnaires were returned, of which 73 could be analyzed. The greater part of "frail elderly" were female (n = 42). The average age of the "frail elderly" was 81.1(+/- 7.6) years old. All caregivers were members of the family of the "frail elderly" and most of them were women (n = 63). From the result of principal analysis, 2 principles were extracted from the 12 items used to measure subjective burden of caregivers. We analyzed the first principle as "subjective burden of caregivers". From the result of multiple regression analysis (Stepwise method), "subjective burden of caregivers" was characterized by the caregivers' conditions only (caregivers' health status, the will to care for the elderly and anxiety of providing night care). This result suggested that support for the caregivers of the "frail elderly" was important to sustain in-home care.

Aged↗