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Biomedical subjects

M Nishimura

Publications and source records attributed to M Nishimura.

1,597 records · Page 89Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Heat-induced drug resistance is associated with increased expression of Bcl-2 in HL60.

HL60 cells underwent apoptosis with heat treatment, i.e. exposure to 42 degrees C for 120 minutes. Cells exposed to the same temperature for 30 minutes became resistant to subsequent, otherwise lethal, heat shock. These thermotolerant cells also acquired resistance to anti-cancer drugs including daunorubicin and VP16. We found that mild heat shock upregulates not only HSP70 but also BCL-2, though BCL-2 has not previously been recognized as a heat-inducible protein. Expression of BCL-2 closely paralleled resistance to subsequent exposure to anticancer drugs. The present results suggest that BCL-2 may play a role in heat-induced drug resistance.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection in an endemic area of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We investigated the prevalence of hepatitis G virus infection among inhabitants of a hepatitis C virus endemic area. METHODOLOGY: Two hundred and eighty-eight inhabitants, who underwent medical examinations for health screening, were enrolled in this epidemiological study. HGV RNA and HCV RNA were detected by polymerase chain reaction. We also examined anti-HGV envelope protein (E2) antibodies in all serum samples. RESULTS: In these 288 inhabitants, we found anti-HCV antibodies (HCV-Ab) and HCV RNA in 28.5% and 17.4%, respectively. HGV RNA and anti-HGV E2 were detected in 9 (3.1%) and 16 (5.5%), respectively. One patient was positive for both HGV RNA and anti-HGV E2. The exposure rate, expressed as the percentage of people with HGV RNA and/or anti-HGV E2, was 8.3%, which was significantly lower than the incidence of positive HCV-Ab. Of the 24 patients with HGV RNA and/or anti-HGV E2, 15 (62.5%) were positive for HCV-Ab, of those HCV RNA was detected in 9 (37.5%). Further, we found a higher prevalence of HGV exposure in patients with HCV-Ab than in those without (8.3% vs. 4.4%). CONCLUSIONS: HGV infection was not identical to the epidemic hepatitis C virus infection among inhabitants of this town, suggesting that hepatitis C virus might be less infectious than hepatitis C virus.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Esophageal lesions caused by human papillomaviruses (HPV)].

Twenty two patients are presented with histologic lesions on esophageal biopsy compatible with infection by human papillomavirus. Symptoms were uncharacteristic, there was no sex difference and the mean age was 40 years. Upper GI endoscopy showed the following: a) multiple ulcers in the middle esophagus, most of less than 10 mm in diameter, rounded or oval in shape, separated by normal appearing mucosa, well delimited erythematous margins, with a smooth white base; b) In five patients, multiple white elevated lesions were found in the middle esophagus, separated by normal appearing mucosa. One patient had 2 papillomas; c) In two cases there was an epidermoid carcinoma at 25 and 28 cm from the dental arcade. Biopsy taken at the border of the lesions were compatible with papilloma virus infection. The possible relation of the lesions with papillomavirus infection was established only on histologic criteria. The described lesions regress without treatment or with nonspecific treatment, some cases of our series have responded to empiric antiviral medication.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

MR imaging of multiple sclerosis in the cervical cord.

This is a case of a 34-year-old woman with multiple sclerosis (MS) in whom an enlarged cervical spinal cord with long T1 and T2 relaxation times was demonstrated on MR images. This report seems to be the first description of MR imaging of MS with an enlarged spinal cord.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Protective effect of ranitidine and bismuth salts on gastritis induced by ethanol].

In normal males volunteers a double-blind parallel trial was performed to study protection induced by ranitidine and bismuth subcitrate on the damage induced by ethanol on the gastric mucosa. Subjects were randomized assigned in three groups: I (R) n = 9 Ranitidine 150 mg, II (B) n = 6 Bismuth 240 mg, and III (R + B) n = 9 both compounds. Drugs were administered one hour before endoscopy. If the subject initially showed absence of any lesion, he received through and endoscopic cannula an infusion of 100 ml of ethanol at 40%. Endoscopic evaluation was performed at 15 and 30 minutes, without retrieving the endoscope. Quantification of gastric lesions was performed using the scale of Tarnawski et al (Am J Med 83:31-37, 1987). In the group I there was no lesion in 67%, in the group II 0% and in the group III 78%. Petechial lesions were observed in 33%, 67% and 11% respectively. In summary, combination R + B and the R gave the best cytoprotection that observed only bismuth. Possible mechanism of action are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of enalapril maleate on heart rate variability: a pilot study.

The effects of enalapril maleate on heart rate variability, an indicator of cardiac autonomic function, were evaluated by nonspectral analysis in 12 patients with standard deviation in the R-R interval for each 5-minute period for 24 hours (SDANN) of 80 msec or less. A 24-hour electrocardiogram was recorded before treatment and after 2 weeks of treatment with enalapril. No significant difference was observed in the mean R-R interval on 24-hour electrocardiography between the pretreatment and the posttreatment periods (824 +/- 84 msec vs 834 +/- 83 msec). The SDANN increased significantly (P < 0.01) between the pretreatment period (62.8 +/- 13.7 msec) and the posttreatment period (87.1 +/- 31.2 msec), as did the standard deviation of the R-R interval during the two monitoring periods (P < 0.001). However, no significant difference was observed in the mean value of the standard deviations of the R-R interval for 5 minutes; the proportion of adjacent R-Rs with a difference of more than 50 msec; or the root-mean square of the difference in successive R-Rs in the pretreatment period as compared with the posttreatment period. Causal blood pressure at rest decreased significantly (P < 0.05) after treatment with enalapril (124 +/- 17/66 +/- 7 mmHg) as compared with the pretreatment period (140 +/- 24/75 +/- 13 mmHg). Enalapril may be useful for maintaining normal autonomic nerve activity, preventing sudden cardiac death, and enhancing quality of life in our stressful society.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Needle sphincterotomy: a safe method].

We performed needle papillotomy in 26 patients. When the biliary tract was not approach by conventional methods. We used an home made sphincterotomy and begin the incision at the papillar orifice and cut in cephalic direction to the 11-12 o'clock, and stop the cutting when we observe bile flow or choledochus mucosa. The only complication was bleeding in two patients and it stopped with epinephrine injection. There were not perforations or mortality. We conclude that needle papillotomy is a safe and useful method in selected cases.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Characteristics of the effects of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor cilazapril on diurnal blood pressure.

Patients with stage I or II essential hypertension were assigned to receive 1 mg of cilazapril once daily in the morning (n = 11; mean age, 63 years); 2 mg of cilazapril once daily in the morning (n = 8; mean age, 60 years); or 1 mg of cilazapril twice daily (n = 9; mean age, 68 years). Blood pressure was recorded for 24 hours before treatment began and after 2 weeks of treatment. After all three doses of cilazapril, both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were lower than before treatment. Greater reductions in blood pressure were found after 2 mg of cilazapril daily than 1 mg daily. The antihypertensive effect of cilazapril was greater during the daytime than during the night. When the blood pressure effect was analyzed by the cumulative percentage method, it was noted that, after the two once-daily regimens, the magnitude of the blood pressure reduction was greater at higher blood pressures and smaller at lower blood pressures. No such trend was apparent after the twice-daily dose of cilazapril.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hemodynamic effect of inhaled nitric oxide in dilated cardiomyopathy patients on LVAD support.

Recently it has been shown that inhaled nitric oxide (NO), which has been proven to contribute to improvement in critical pulmonary hypertension, may provide a favorable effect early after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support. To improve right ventricular function, inhalation of NO was added to treatment with conventional catecholamines for four consecutive dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients following institution of LVAD. In two patients 1 hr after inhalation of NO, central venous pressure (CVP), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAm), and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) were improved. These results led to better LVAD output and resulted in an adequate cardiac index. On the other hand, a right VAD (RVAD) was implemented in one patient whose high CVP, PAm, and PVR continued; he was weaned after 8 days of RVAD support. Another patient who had a high CVP but normal PAm and PVR before and after inhalation of NO had no improvement in his hemodynamic state. These data suggest that inhaled NO may improve systemic circulation by reducing right ventricular afterload and may become a promising and convenient therapy before placing RVAD in DCM patients under LVAD support. RVAD should be conducted in patients with right ventricular failure or when pulmonary hypertension is associated with impaired right ventricular reserve, even after inhalation of NO.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Portable cardiopulmonary support system as a bridge to left ventricular assist system implantation. A new strategy for the treatment of end stage cardiac disease.

The key to the successful implantation of a left ventricular assist system (LVAS) for patients with end stage cardiac disease is whether the functions of other vital organs are irreversibly damaged or not. The portable cardiopulmonary support system (PCPS) is not only as convenient as, but is more powerful than, the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in resuscitating impaired end organ function. To investigate the efficacy of PCPS in end stage cardiac disease, end organ function before and after the application of PCPS was retrospectively analyzed for end stage cardiac disease. From 1992 to 1996, five cardiomyopathy patients with deterioration in end organ function, despite application of IABP, underwent PCPS support before implantation of LVAS. Urine volume and levels of liver enzymes (sAST and sALT) and serum creatinine were determined before and after institution of PCPS. After the start of PCPS, the urine output increased significantly (1,840 +/- 450-4,340 +/- 470 ml/day, p < 0.01), and levels of sAST, sALT, and serum creatinine decreased significantly (630 +/- 220-150 +/- 50 IU/L, 630 +/- 260-260 +/- 130 IU/L, and 2.9 +/- 0.5-1.2 +/- 0.1 mg/dl, respectively; p < 0.05). All five patients were successfully bridged to LVAS implantation, and none died of multiple organ failure caused by pre-existing cardiac failure. These results indicate that PCPS before LVAS implantation is useful in resuscitating impaired end organ function and improving the survival rate with LVAS implantation for end stage cardiac disease.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hepatic sinusoid endothelial dysfunction plays a role in hyperbilirubinemia in patients following implantation of an LVAD.

To clarify the mechanism of hyperbilirubinemia in the setting of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), the change in hepatocellular function, hepatic sinusoid endothelial microcirculation, and inflammatory response before and after LVAD implantation were evaluated. Eight consecutive patients underwent the placement of an LVAD, and serum levels of total bilirubin (TB), transaminases [alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST)], interleukin (IL-6, IL-8), and hyaluronic acid (HA), an indicator of hepatic sinusoidal circulation, were measured before and after LVAD implantation. The TB of all patients increased significantly in the first post operative week (p < 0.05 vs. pre-operatively). In five patients, the elevated TB (4.6 +/- 4.1 mg/dl) returned to pre-operative levels (2.7 +/- 2.0 mg/dl) by the 14th post operative day (Group R), but in the other three patients who died of multiple organ failure, the level of TB increased to 39.9 +/- 16.4 mg/dl (Group A). Levels of HA and IL-8 had good correlation with the level of TB (HA: r = 0.60, p < 0.05; IL-8: r = 0.55, p < 0.05). However, AST, ALT, and IL-6 were not related to changes in TB. These results suggest that hepatic sinusoid endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory reaction may play a significant role in hepatic failure in patients following implantation of an LVAD.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Assessment of the caries activity test (Cariostat) based on the infection levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in 2- to 13-year-old children's dental plaque.

It is generally agreed that mutans streptococci and lactobacilli are associated etiologically with dental caries. The caries activity test, Cariostat, was designed to measure the pH decrease caused by microorganisms in the plaque sample obtained from the buccal surfaces. Researchers found the test to be a reliable, diagnostic, and predictive device. Incubation was done on MS and MSB plates in an atmosphere of 95 percent N and 5 percent CO at 37 degrees C and for 48 hours. The relationship of the Cariostat scores and the pH values are shown in a table. The test scores are shown for two age-groups: Ages two-to-six years with primary dentitions, and ages five-to-thirteen years with mixed dentitions. The advantages of the Cariostat test are: the sampling method is simple and the time of analysis is short; the test can be used for the very young and for patients difficult to manage; and it requires no specialized knowledge or equipment.

Adolescent↗