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Biomedical subjects

M Nemoto

Publications and source records attributed to M Nemoto.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The new-concept full-face-type helmet with removable cheek pads.

BACKGROUND: The American College of Surgeons proposed a method of removing helmets. But the problem with full-face-type helmets is that their shape makes them difficult to remove. METHODS: A dummy doll was fixed to a smooth bed surface in the supine position, and a full-face-type helmet with a hook attached to the vertex was placed on the doll's head. A spring balance was attached to the hook, traction was applied to the helmet through the spring balance, and the maximum tension needed to completely remove the helmet was measured. RESULTS: A tension of 13.2 +/- 1.8 kg was found. But when cheek pads were removed, the tension required to remove the helmet was 1.7 +/- 0.2 kg. CONCLUSION: We devised a full-face-type helmet that uses removable cheek pads so that helmet removal can be performed safely by removing only the cheek pads in the event of an accident.

Cervical Vertebrae↗

Comparative study of pharmacokinetic parameters between clarithromycin and erythromycin stearate in relation to their physicochemical properties.

Pharmacokinetic parameters for clarithromycin (CAM) and erythromycin stearate (EMS) were obtained from a model including decomposition in the gastrointestinal tract. To confirm the accuracy of the parameters, various physicochemical properties of both drugs were examined. The ratio of the in vivo dissolution rate, the in vivo decomposition rate and the absorption rate between CAM and EMS were well correlated to the ratio of the in vitro intrinsic dissolution rate, the decomposition rate in the acidic solution, and partition coefficient, respectively. One of the reasons for the excellent absorption of CAM compared with that of EMS was the higher stability in the acidic solution and the higher partition coefficient of CAM. These findings indicate that the ratio of the partition coefficient to the decomposition rate constant in acidic solution plays an important role in determining drug bioavailability for macrolide antibiotics.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Effects of granisetron, a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, on ouabain-induced emesis in ferrets.

The antiemetic effect of granisetron, a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, on ouabain-induced emesis was studied using ferrets. In order to clarify the relationship between ouabain-induced emesis and serotonin (5-HT), we examined its effects on 5-HT release from the isolated ileum. Afferent vagal nerve activity was also determined. An intravenous bolus injection of ouabain (0.1-1.0 mg/kg) produced emesis in a dose-dependent manner. Ouabain-induced emesis was inhibited by pretreatment with granisetron. In the isolated ileum, ouabain induced a concentration-dependent increase of 5-HT. This release of 5-HT was suppressed by granisetron. Increases in vagal nerve discharges were observed immediately after the intravenous administration of ouabain (0.1-1.0 mg/kg). These increases were suppressed by granisetron. Taken together, ouabain activates 5-HT release from the mucosa in the gastrointestinal tract. Released 5-HT may activate the vagal afferent nerves, resulting in vomiting. Granisetron inhibited the ouabain-induced elevation of 5-HT and vagal nerve activity. Ouabain may induce emesis as well as negative chronotropic effects by activating the vagus. Our results suggest that ouabain-induced emesis is in part mediated by the 5-HT3 receptors of the peripheral gastrointestinal tract.

Abdomen↗

A newly developed silicone-coated membrane oxygenator for long-term cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiac support.

The surface of polypropylene hollow fiber was successfully coated with a very thin (0.2 micron) silicone layer. Experimental studies were performed in long-term (6 h) normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) using 10 goats. A conventional membrane oxygenator (Mera Excelung HPO-15H, MERA, Tokyo, Japan) was used for 5 goats as a control (Group C) and a new silicone-coated membrane oxygenator, which is of the same construction as that of the one used for Group C, for 5 (Group S). The O2 transfer and CO2 removal functions showed the same ranges. In the other parameters, there were no differences between the 2 groups. As for hemolysis, however, the plasma free hemoglobin of Group S was lower than that of Group C. Currently, 3 chronic percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) experimental models have been conducted, and there has been no evidence of thromboembolism or deterioration of the oxygenator. In conclusion, this new oxygenator is suitable not only for CPB, but also for long-term cardiac support.

Animals↗

Renal circulation and cellular metabolism during left ventricular assisted circulation: comparison study of pulsatile and nonpulsatile assists.

We examined left ventricular assist during 6 h for an acute myocardial infarction model in pigs. The outflow cannula was placed in the ascending aorta and an inflow cannula in the left atrium. A pump (Pulsatile group: Zeon Medical and Nonpulsatile group: Nikkiso HPM-15) was connected to each cannula. Items measured were the regional blood flow of the cortex and the medulla in the kidney, renal arterial flow, arterial blood ketone body ratio (AKBR), lactate/pyruvic acid, BUN, creatinine and beta 2-microglobulin. After experimental study, the kidneys were removed, and a pathological study was performed. In the pulsatile assisted group, renal cortical blood flow increased but medulla blood flow decreased. On the other hand, in the nonpulsatile assisted group, both regional blood flows decreased. That means that in the pulsatile assisted group intrarenal redistribution improved, rather than in the nonpulsatile assisted group. The results of our study indicated that pulsatile assist produced superior circulation in the kidney, and the microcirculation on the cell level was superior as well in early treatment of acute left heart failure.

Animals↗

Effects of talipexole on emesis-related changes in abdominal afferent vagal activity and ileal serotonin metabolism in rats.

The involvement of abdominal afferent vagal activity and serotonergic mechanisms were examined following intravenous administration of talipexole, a dopamine D2 receptor agonist used for treatment of Parkinson's disease, in anesthetized rats. Intravenous administration of dopamine receptor agonists including D1/D2 components increased the spontaneous firing of afferent vagal neurons as did 2-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine. Both talipexole (0.25-1.0 mg/kg) and bromocriptine (1.0-10.0 mg/kg) increased vagal nerve activity in a dose-dependent manner, and the effect of 10 mg/kg of bromocriptine was significantly greater than that noted with 1.0 mg/kg of talipexole. Increasing vagal firing induced by talipexole was prevented by pretreatment with granisetron, but not with metoclopramide or by spinal section, indicating that afferent vagal firing was mediated via stimulation of the 5-HT3 receptors on the neurons and secondarily caused by stimulation of dopamine receptors. On the other hand, bromocriptine at 5 mg/kg increased 5-HIAA concentration in the ileum, and serotonin turnover (5-HIAA/5-HT) was increased approximately 4-fold when compared to the vehicle group. Bromocriptine also increased the activities of tryptophan hydroxylase and monoamine oxidase. Talipexole at 0.5 mg/kg did not affect ileal 5-HT metabolism and the enzymatic activities. These findings suggest that dopamine receptor agonists may induce changes in abdominal afferent vagal activity and ileal 5-HT metabolism similar to those observed with emetic compounds, and that talipexole has a much smaller influence on serotonin-mediated responses than does bromocriptine with equipotent antiparkinsonian doses. One of the possible reason why talipexole showed fewer emetic side effects in patients with Parkinson's disease may be that the emetic responses triggered by D2 receptor stimulation may secondarily cause an increase of abdominal afferent vagal activity, which may be weakened by the 5-HT3 receptor antagonistic property of talipexole.

Abdomen↗

[Changes in metabolism and peritumoral circulation after radiosurgery of metastatic brain tumors: evaluation by three dimensional dual isotope SPECT].

Concurrent use of two different isotopes, 201T1C1 and 123I-IMP, in SPECT is useful in separative evaluation of tumor metabolism and peritumoral circulation. Three dimensional SPECT employed in our study has an obvious advantage over two dimensional SPECT for its accurate imaging of tumors and peritumoural areas. Changes of tumor metabolism and regional circulation in peritumoral edematous tissues were investigated by fused 3-D SPECT images using 201T1C1 and 123I-IMP. In this study, the volume of isotope accumulative and isotope defective regions were measured. Fusion of SPECT images was performed by the use of panning visualization software; Application Visualization System Medical View (K.G.T.). The threshold of 3-D rendering was determined by conforming the volume of the hemisphere and of the tumor estimated on CT to the volume of 123I-IMP and 201T1C1 accumulating area respectively. Accumulative volume of 201T1C1 in the tumor decreased remarkably at 7 days after radiosurgery (p < 0.01). Defective volume of peritumoral hypoperfusion was measured on 3-D SPECT. The average volume was 80.5 + 32.5cm3 before radiosurgery. It decreased by approximately 60% at 7 days after radiosurgery (p < 0.05). Analysis of 3-D SPECT images using two different isotope tracers is reliable and useful to evaluate early the changes of metabolism and peritumoral circulation in or around intracerebral tumors.

Aged↗

Pirfenidone prevents collagen accumulation in the remnant kidney in rats with partial nephrectomy.

Pirfenidone (PFD) is a new compound that prevents and even reverses the extracellular matrix accumulation in several organs as shown by experimental and clinical studies. In the present study, we examined the effect of PFD (500 mg/kg daily in the food) on the progression of chronic renal failure (CRF) in the 5/6 nephrectomy rat model. Proteinuria progressively increased in rats with renal ablation (C) at 12 weeks. Urinary protein excretion in PFD-treated rats (P) was numerically lower than C, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. In contrast, in the chronic phase, PFD improved renal function and reduced collagen accumulation detected by hydroxyproline content (OH-Pro) in the cortex of the remnant kidney. Although creatinine clearance decreased with time in C, the values in P were significantly better at 10 and 12 weeks. The OH-Pro in C at 12 weeks was significantly higher than that of no-ablation, sham-operated rats, whereas OH-Pro in CRF was lower in (P). Expression of mRNA for type IV and I collagen in the cortex also increased in C, but it was inhibited in (P). To study the role that TGF-beta plays in the regulatory process following CRF, we examined the expression of TGF-beta mRNA in this model. Levels of cortical TGF-beta mRNA in C were significantly elevated at 12 weeks. The increase was suppressed by PFD. These results demonstrate that PFD attenuates the development of CRF by preventing collagen accumulation in this model, and suggest that PFD can be clinically useful for treating CRF.

Animals↗

The reactivity of taurine with hypochlorous acid and its application for eye drops.

The ability of taurine to protect biomembranes attacked by HOCl was examined using canine erythrocytes which had been pre-treated with HOCl. Of the amino acids tested, taurine was the most effective in inhibiting attack by HOCl, followed by glycine, alpha-alanine and beta-alanine. During the incubation of HOCl-treated erythrocytes with taurine, an appreciable amount of monochlorotaurine (TauNHCl) was detected in the supernatant. This suggests that taurine may remove the oxidized chlorine from HOCl-treated erythrocytes, resulting in the production of TauNHCl. The effect of taurine on the removal of Cl+ moiety was examined using Sepharose gel with amino groups. Taurine removed Cl+ from HOCl-treated Sepharose gel. The yield of TauNHCl depended on the concentration of taurine. The effectiveness of taurine in preventing ocular surface damage caused by HOCl was investigated in albino rabbits. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released from ocular tissues into tears during eye irritation was used as an index of ocular surface damage. Taurine effectively protected ocular surface tissues from damage induced by HOCl, and arrested the progression of tissue damage that had already been initiated by HOCl. These finding suggest that taurine may be clinically useful in the treatment of ocular surface damage caused by oxidants such as HOCl.

Alanine↗

Comparison studies of major organ microcirculations under pulsatile- and nonpulsatile-assisted circulations.

In these comparison studies, we examined changes in major organ microcirculations during circulatory support using pulsatile and nonpulsatile pumps. Acute myocardial infarction was created by left anterior descending (LAD) branch ligation. After the animals in these studies fell into cardiogenic shock, they were supported by mechanical assist devices: a pulsatile ventricular assist device (VAD) in 4 pigs, a nonpulsatile VAD in 4 pigs, and an intraaortic balloon pumping (IABP) plus nonpulsatile VAD in 4 pigs. Each group was supported for 3 h with an identical mean aortic pressure being maintained. As for parameters, the stomach mucosa, liver regional blood flow, stomach mucosal pH, and arterial blood keton body ratio (AKBR) were measured. Both regional blood flow and AKBR increased in the pulsatile group as compared with the nonpulsatile group. There were no differences in the stomach mucosal pH among the 3 groups. These results suggest that pulsatile assist rather than the nonpulsatile assist plays a significant role in the recovery of deteriorated splanchnic organs due to cardiogenic shock.

Animals↗

Novel approach for determination of correlation between in vivo and in vitro dissolution using the optimization technique.

A new approach to determination of good correlations between in vivo and in vitro dissolution was studied using the optimization technique. Ibuprofen, which exhibits dissolution rate-limiting absorption, was used as a model drug. Ibuprofen capsules of two different release types were prepared, and their in vivo dissolution profiles were obtained from measurements of plasma concentration following oral administration of the capsules to beagle dogs by the mathematical deconvolution method using solution data of oral administration as a weight function. For the dissolution test to correspond to the in vivo dissolution profiles, the test was carried out at 12 levels (9 different sets of conditions) and results were analyzed with the optimization technique to deal with two factors. The first-order rate constant (kappa d) and the dissolution time at 50% (t50%) of the in vivo dissolution were selected for use as the response variables. Regression analysis was performed to describe the in vitro dissolution characteristics as functions of the pH of dissolution medium and paddle rotation speed in the paddle method. The in vivo/in vitro correlation obtained from the kappa d was better than that obtained from the t50%. The optimum conditions for dissolution testing corresponding to the in vivo kappa d were determined to be a pH 6.6 for the dissolution medium and a 56 rpm paddle rotation rate. The experimental data obtained by dissolution testing was well fit by the predicted curve derived from in vivo and in vitro dissolution profiles. This dissolution test is applicable to the formulations containing ibuprofen of particle size within the experimental range.

Animals↗

[Measurement of the common carotid arterial flow during parabolic flight in the anesthetized rat].

To measure the blood flow of a common carotid artery (CCA) during parabolic flight in the rat, we developed an animal double hold box (ADHB) made of styrene expanded form for the anesthetized rat to keep the animal at a proper posture in an aircaft. Twelve anesthetized rats weighing 291-342 g were surgically operated to mount a ultrasound flowmeter probe (1 mm size,1RS:Transonic Systems Inc.) around the right CCA and to insert a catheter into the right axillar artery for blood pressure measurement. These animals were held comfortably in ADHBs which were placed on the rack installed in the aircraft (MU-300). A total of 27 parabolic flights was performed and the blood flow was measured accurately in 9 rats. This special animal holding facility is useful for various types of animal experiments in an aircraft.

Animals↗

[Changes of regional perfusion in metastatic brain tumor and peritumoral area after radiosurgery: a study by 123I-IMP dynamic SPECT].

Changes of regional perfusion in the tumor, peritumoral edematous area and juxtatumor brain after radiosurgical treatment for metastatic brain tumor were investigated by dynamic SPECT using 123I-IMP. The SPECT was performed in 12 patients before and 1, 7 and 30 days after stereotactic irradiation. A region of interest (ROI) was selected each in the tumor, peritumoral edematous area, juxtatumor brain and ipsilateral cerebellum. Radioactivity in each ROIs was counted on early SPECT based on dynamic SPECT from 0 to 5 minutes. Mean count/pixel in each ROIs was divited by mean count/pixel in the ROI of the ipsilateral cerebellum and its value was designated as a count ratio (CR). Assuming the pre-treatment CRs are 1.0, relative changes of post-treatment CRs investigated. rCR in the tumor did not show any significant change after radiosurgical treatment. rCR in the edematous area and the juxtatumor brain increased at 7 days after irradiation [Mean +/- SD 1.43 +/- 0.409 (p < 0.05), 1.248 +/- 0.228 (p < 0.05) by Mann-Whitney test] and at 30 days [1.359 +/- 0.245 (p < 0.01), 1.301 +/- 0.287 (p < 0.01)] respectively. Computed tomography revealed no change in the maximum diameter of the tumor at 1 month after irradiation but a significant reduction in the diameter [0.744 +/- 0.227 (p < 0.02)] at 2 months. Early improvement of regional cerebral blood flow in the juxtatumor areas after radiosurgery suggested that radiosurgery could be effective treatment for metastatic brain tumor.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[High uptake of N-isopropyl-p-[123I]-iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) demonstrated by dynamic SPECT in some cases of glioma].

Selective high uptake of N-isopropyl-p-[123I]-iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) in the brain tumors is not common, the mechanism of uptake in the brain tumor is not yet clearly understood. Among 26 cases of gliomas investigated by dynamic SPECT, 4 cases including 2 cases of anaplastic astrocytoma and 2 cases of oligodendroglioma, showed high uptake of 123I-IMP. New three detector type camera which enables us to investigate rapid successive scanning, was used in our study. In dynamic SPECT, 15 successive scans of 2 minutes interval were made for 30 minutes after administration of 123I-IMP. In addition, quick dynamic SPECT was tried in 2 cases, in which 10 quick successive scans of 24 seconds interval were investigated for initial 4 minutes immediately after administration of 123I-IMP. Radioactivity in the region of interest inside the tumor (T) and radioactivity of the corresponding site in the contralateral hemisphere (C) was measured respectively, and T/C ratio was calculated. Time course change of radioactivity (time activity curve: TAC) was analyzed in all cases. Radioactivity was always higher in the tumor and the average T/C ratio was 1.40. TAC showed rapid increase of 123I-IMP in the tumor during initial 2 minutes after administration and keeping its high plateau level for 30 minutes. Angiography in these cases revealed a remarkable tumor stain. On the other hand, these gliomas showed no or slight enhancement effect in CT or MRI. These findings are interpretable as that early high uptake of 123I-IMP in some gliomas is attributable to an increased vascular bed and blood flow with no or minimal derangement of blood brain barrier in these tumors.

Adult↗

[Atlantoaxial dislocation with ventilatory insufficiency--report of two cases].

We performed electromyography and polysomnography in two cases of atlantoaxial dislocation with ventilatory insufficiency to determine the patients' respiratory patterns. The results showed that hypertrophic sternocleidomastoid muscles (SCMs) played an important part in their respiration. The diaphragm and intercostal muscles did not display marked electromyographic (EMG) activity, but the SCMs showed a great deal of phasic inspiratory activity during the daytime that decreased or disappeared during sleep. A 6-year-old boy with atlantoaxial dislocation related to spinal abnormalities was chiefly dependent on the SCMs for respiration and required mechanical ventilation when a sleep because the SCMs were completely inactive. A 4-year-old girl with atlantoaxial dislocation as the result of an automobile accident was partially dependent on the SCMs. She had no trouble breathing during the daytime, but polysomnography recordings showed recurrent hypopnea and desaturation during the night synchronous with decreased EMG activity of the SCMs. She also required mechanical ventilation to improve her long-term prognosis. Polysomnography should be performed in severe cases of atlantoaxial dislocation with respiratory failure in addition to routine respiratory function tests.

Atlanto-Axial Joint↗

Reactivity of taurine with aldehydes and its physiological role.

The chemical reactions of the amino group of taurine with aldehydes were investigated. Glucose, acetaldehyde, and malondialdehyde were used as aldehydes. After taurine had reacted, the amounts of remaining taurine and aldehydes were measured, and the reactivity was evaluated. Amino acids such as glycine, alpha-alanine, and beta-alanine were compared because of their structural resemblance to each other. Taurine showed a high reactivity with each one of the aldehydes tested. It is known that protein is altered through reactions of the amino group with various aldehydes. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) was used as a model protein and the inhibiting effect of taurine against the modification of LDL by malondialdehyde was examined. It was shown that the inhibiting effects of taurine correlated with the reactivity of malondialdehyde with amino acids. Further, the taurine-glucose reaction product showed an antioxidative effect on the peroxidation of liposomes made of yolk phosphatidylcholine as a biomembrane model. The results suggest the possibility of an inhibiting effect of taurine against the modification of protein, as well as an antioxidative effect through the reactions of taurine with aldehydes in vivo.

Acetaldehyde↗