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Biomedical subjects

M Ohtaki

Publications and source records attributed to M Ohtaki.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[Hearing preservation and tinnitus following removal of acoustic neurinomas].

Thirty-five cases of unilateral acoustic neurinomas were analyzed with special reference to the postoperative eighth cranial nerve function. An additional three cases of bilateral acoustic neurinomas associated with neurofibromatosis were also analyzed. Out of a total of 40 neurinomas in all, 38 cases were retrospectively reviewed. The thirty-five cases of unilateral acoustic neurinomas were summarized as follows. The patients' age ranged from 23 to 69 years old. The tumor size varied as follows; 7 cases were confined to the internal acoustic meatus, 4 cases were 20 mm or less in their maximum diameter, 13 cases were 30 mm or less, and 11 cases were more than 30 mm. The consistency of the tumor was classified as being solid in 27 cases, and being cystic in 8 cases. Hearing had been maintained in 27 cases on admission, serviceable in 17 cases, unserviceable in 10 cases and deaf in 8 cases. Operations were performed via the retromastoid suboccipital approach in all cases. The facial nerve was anatomically preserved in all cases. On the other hand, the cochlear nerve was anatomically preserved in 14 out of 35 cases (40%). The preservation ratio of the cochlear nerve showed a negative correlation to the tumor size. In 17 cases with preoperative serviceable hearing, preservation of the cochlear nerve was attempted, which resulted in a 65% anatomical preservation. However, hearing was preserved in 4 cases (36%). Serviceable hearing was preserved in only 2 cases. Tinnitus developed in 20 cases preoperatively, and then occurred postoperatively in 11 cases. Tinnitus was prominently aggravated in 2 cases in which the cochlear nerves were preserved, which resulted in unserviceable hearing. There was a statistically significant correlation between cochlear nerve preservation and the postoperative presence of tinnitus (Fisher's exact probability test: P = 0.0106 < 0.05). Tinnitus was aggravated just after the operation. However, it gradually improved and vanished as the hearing showed a recovery to a slight degree in one case. Three cases of bilateral acoustic neurinomas in neurofibromatosis were also summarized. One case received the operation only on the unilateral side. The remaining two cases were operated bilaterally. To preserve serviceable hearing on at least one side, partial removal of the tumor was performed under the monitoring of auditory brain stem response and/or cochlear microphonic potential. Serviceable hearing on at least one side was maintained in all three cases. In conclusion, hearing preservation can be expected after removal of the acoustic neurinomas under the following situations; hearing acuity of less than 50-60dB in preoperative pure tone audiogram, tumor size of less than 20 mm in maximum diameter, cases with preservation of cochlear nerve and of the internal auditory artery during the operation, and no injury to the labyrinth during the operation. In some cases, tinnitus becomes aggravated in the case with cochlear nerve preservation associated with unserviceable hearing. Furthermore, the degree of tinnitus shows a decrease as postoperative hearing improves in some cases.

Adult↗

[Characteristics of visual impairment complicated with planum sphenoidale and tuberculum sellae meningiomas and their surgical results].

It is well known that it is difficult to remove the planum sphenoidale and tuberculum sellae meningioma without damaging the optic nerves. The visual outcome after this operation has been unacceptable in such tumors, especially in large ones. This review propounds a strategy to secure visual acuity through operation. A total of eight cases are summarized. In five midline symmetrical meningiomas, the tumors compressed the nerves at the portion of the optic chiasma, causing a typical bitemporal hemianopsia. Four large tumors were resected by the frontobasal interhemispheric approach to minimize the intraoperative damage to the optic chiasma, and a small one was removed by the pterional approach. Visual deficits were recovered immediately after the operation in all cases without any surgical complications. Three meningiomas were attached to the lateral part of the planum sphenoidale or tuberculum sella. Although the sizes were relatively small in all cases, they caused ipsilateral severe visual loss by direct compression to optic nerves. MRI and three-dimensional CT angiography showed the tumor extension into the optic canal. The ipsilateral pterional approach was selected in these cases. To avoid additional nerve damage, we tried to reduce the tension of nerves which were compressed by the tumors. We removed the anterior clinoid process and opened the optic canal before surgical manipulation of the tumor. In two cases, tumors severely compressed the optic nerves from the medial side, and nerves were stretched laterally. Great care was required to separate the optic nerves from tumors in those two cases. In contrast, the resection seemed to be very easy in one of the cases where the optic nerve was displaced infero-medially. Visual symptoms were improved in all cases, although one case became worse temporarily. Although planum sphenoidale and tuberculum sellae meningiomas are still troublesome, appropriate preoperative management would allow us to expect an excellent visual outcome. Especially, selection of the surgical approach should be based on the anatomical analysis of the nerve displacement.

Adult↗

Release of biological activities from quiescent fibronectin by a conformational change and limited proteolysis by matrix metalloproteinases.

We reported that specific biological activities are confined to three domains of the fibronectin (Fn) molecule [Fukai et al. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 8807; Fukai et al. (1993) Biochemistry 32, 5746]: the potent ability to stimulate the adipocyte differentiation of ST-13 cells is in the amino-terminal fibrin-binding (Fib 1) domain (referred to as Fib 1 domain activity); the RGD-dependent activities that stimulate NIH-L13 cell migration and inhibit adipocyte differentiation are in the central cell-binding (Cell) domain (Cell domain activity); and the activity that stimulates cell migration in a RGD-independent manner is in the carboxyl-terminal fibrin-binding (Fib 2) domain (Fib 2 domain activity). Human plasma Fn which was purified without exposure to a denaturant, such as urea, exhibited no Fib 1, Fib 2, or Cell domain activity. By exposure to urea or surface adsorption, Fn showed Cell domain activity but not those of the Fib 1 and Fib 2 domains. Whether the cryptic domain activities are disclosed or not depended on whether or not the responsible domains were irreversibly exposed from confined environments of Fn structure as confirmed by light-scattering measurement and enzyme immunoassay using domain-specific monoclonal antibodies. We then investigated the action of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in liberating the Fib 1, Cell, and Fib 2 domain activities. Matrilysin released only the Cell domain activity. In contrast, stromelysin, collagenase, and especially gelatinase A additionally liberated the Fib 1 and Fib 2 domain activities. The Fib 1, Fib 2, and Cell domains acquired much higher activities when they were freed from linkage with adjacent domains.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isotonic mannitol and the prevention of local heat generation and tissue adherence to bipolar diathermy forceps tips during electrical coagulation. Technical note.

The authors observed temperature levels of saline and mannitol on the tips of bipolar diathermy forceps during application of power to the forceps and compared the effects of irrigation with saline and isotonic mannitol on electrical coagulation of vessels during neurosurgical operations. There was a marked rise in the temperature of saline corresponding to increased output power of the coagulator; there was no rise in the temperature of the mannitol. Irrigation with isotonic mannitol during surgery resulted in a considerable reduction of adherence of burned tissue and blood clots to forceps tips during coagulation of both arteries and veins compared with that which occurred during irrigation with saline. These results demonstrate that irrigation with an isotonic mannitol surpasses that with conventional ionic fluids, such as a saline, for prevention of both tissue adherence to bipolar diathermy forceps and removal of heat generated during electrical coagulation.

Burns↗

[Diagnosis of ruptured and unruptured cerebral aneurysms with three-dimensional CT angiography (3D-CTA)].

Three-dimensional CT angiography (3D-CTA) is a new, minimally invasive technique for the diagnosis of cerebral aneurysms. The purpose of this study is to compare the diagnostic value of 3D-CTA for ruptured and unruptured cerebral aneurysms with that of MR angiography (MRA) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Forty-one cases consisting of 11 cases of ruptured aneurysms and 30 cases of unruptured aneurysms, with a total of 67 cerebral aneurysms, were included in this study. 3D-CTA was performed with a bolus injection of nonionic contrast medium on the SOMATOM PLUS-S scanner and the ProSeed Accell scanner. Three-dimensional images were obtained by both shaded surface reconstruction (SSR) method and maximum intensity projection (MIP) method. The CT values of cisternal clot in cases of ruptured cerebral aneurysms did not exceed 90HU in any of the cases. The effect of SAH was, therefore, eliminated in the SSR images through a threshold level processing of a CT value of 150HU. All the cerebral aneurysms were visualized by this process. With regard to the detectability of cerebral aneurysms, 3D-CTA was able to demonstrate cerebral aneurysms with diameters of larger than 1mm as well as giant aneurysms which MRA would sometimes fail to reveal. 3D-CTA was superior to MRA and DSA in making diagnosis of small aneurysms such as those with diameters of less than 3mm.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Cloning and characterization of cDNAs encoding two normal isoforms of bovine stem cell factor.

The cDNA clones encoding two isoforms of bovine stem cell factor (bSCF) were obtained using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and their sequences were determined. The deduced amino acid sequences of the longer and shorter isoforms of bSCF consist, respectively, of 274 and 246 residues and show a high degree of identity to those of SCFs of different animal species. Northern blot analysis with the cDNA revealed the expression of a 5.8 kilobase bSCF RNA in fetal bovine tissues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Application of polymer-protected ultrafine platinum particles to the immunological detection of human serum albumin.

The immunological properties of ultrafine platinum particles protected with poly(methyl acrylate)-co-N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, having a group chemically reactive with protein, were examined. Polymer-protected ultrafine particles were able to chemically bond multiple human serum albumin (HSA) molecules on their surface. The particles behaved as a multi-epitope-type antigen for the immunoreaction. In an ELISA, the HSA-bound particles and HSA molecules competitively reacted against the anti-HSA monoclonal antibodies. The limit of detection of HSA was ca. 10 ng/ml in the assay. The particles were used in an immunodot analysis of anti-HSA polyclonal antibody. Within 30 min of the reaction, 1-10 micrograms/ml of HSA was detected. The protein fixed polymer-protected ultrafine particles are a useful new material in immunochemistry.

Animals↗

Introduction of exogenous DNA into somatic and germ cells of chickens by microinjection into the germinal disc of fertilized ova.

The plasmid DNA, pAcZ, containing Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase (lacZ) gene under the control of chicken beta-actin gene promoter was injected in a linearized form into the germinal disc of fertilized chick ova at the single-cell stage. The manipulated embryos were cultured by the method of Naito et al. (1990) until hatching. The rate of hatching was 11.8% (31/263), and 19 males and 6 females were matured. DNA from blood and semen samples of the 25 matured chickens was analyzed for the presence of the injected DNA by Southern blot hybridization. The injected DNA was detected in the blood DNA of one male and in the sperm DNA of another male up to 13 months after hatching, indicating that the injected DNA was stably maintained in these chickens. Restriction digestion analysis of the injected DNA suggested that it was not rearranged and was organized as head-to-tail multimers. The copy numbers of the DNA were 0.07-0.02 in the blood DNA of one male per diploid genome, and 0.02-0.015 in the sperm DNA of another male, indicating that the exogenous DNA was present in limited populations of blood and sperm cells.

Animals↗

Telomere reduction of specific chromosome translocation in acute myelocytic leukemia.

The length of telomere restriction fragments (TRF) was studied by Southern blotting in 42 patients with acute myelocytic leukemia (AML) including 15 patients with 8;21 translocation, 8 with 15;17 translocation and 19 with a normal karyotype. The TRF length of leukemic cells with a normal karyotype and with 8;21 or 15;17 translocation showed significant reduction compared to that of lymphocytes from normal individuals (P < 0.05). In addition, there was a statistically significant difference in TRF length between leukemic cells with a normal karyotype and 8;21 translocation (P < 0.05). Therefore, the significant difference of telomere reduction in 8;21 translocation may be an important factor in the leukemogenic process.

Adolescent↗

Pretreatment of transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats with the calcium antagonist AT877.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The efficacy of pretreatment with the recently developed intracellular calcium antagonist AT877 against transient focal cerebral ischemia was investigated in rats subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion using the endovascular suture method. METHODS: Halothane-induced moderate hypotension (60 mm Hg) was used during 100 minutes of temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion. In the treated animals (n = 10), an intravenous infusion of AT877 (0.03 mg/kg per minute) was initiated 30 minutes before the ischemic event and continued during the ischemic period. The control rats (n = 10) received physiological saline in a similar fashion. Local cerebral blood flow was measured by the hydrogen clearance technique. Neurological examinations were performed daily during the 48-hour observation period, and infarct size was assessed by triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. RESULTS: A continuous infusion of AT877 significantly improved local cerebral blood flow during ischemia. The treated animals showed a better neurological outcome after a 24-hour observation period, and a significant reduction in ischemic brain injury resulted in both the neocortex (149 +/- 20 versus 41 +/- 14 mm3, P < .01) and the striatum (80 +/- 5 versus 46 +/- 8 mm3, P < .05). The size of the neocortical infarct was reduced, with increasing mean ischemic cerebral blood flow in the control and treated animals (r = .923, P = .0001). CONCLUSIONS: AT877 pretreatment was effective in preventing brain injury during transient focal cerebral ischemia and improving neurological status. This beneficial effect seems to be mediated, in part, by its primary action of increasing cerebral blood flow.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

Evaluation of cancer prevention strategies by computerized simulation model: methodological issues.

A computerized simulation model developed to evaluate the potential impact of primary and secondary prevention is discussed from methodologic perspectives. In the simulation model, named CANSAVE (Cancer Strategy Analysis and Validation of Effect), the natural history of cancer was modeled as a Markovian stochastic process from cancer-free state to death. The lung cancer death rate among Japanese males was projected for 50 years to the year 2041. The simulation showed that the age-adjusted death rate would increase and reach a peak of 166 per 100,000 in 1989 and then decrease to 148 in 2003. It then shows a tendency to increase again, up to 255 in 2028. This change may be attributed to a lower smoking initiation rate among those born in the 1930s. Promotion of mass screening programs exhibits a more prompt effect than antismoking efforts, but the reduction in annual deaths is expected to be only 11%, even if a 100% participation is realized by the year 2000. The reduction in smoking initiation rate, on the other hand, begins to show a visible effect very slowly. It was predicted that a 1% annual reduction in smoking initiation rate would result in a 20% decrease in the number of deaths in 2041. The smoking cessation program is in the middle with regard to promptness. The predicted reductions in lung cancer deaths in 2041 were 13, 47, and 66%, respectively, when the annual smoking cessation rate was increased from 0.46% (present status) to 1, 3, and 5%. The combined application of all three preventive measures seems essential to realize the most effective reduction in lung cancer deaths.

Adult↗

[An adult case of lumbar intradural lipoma].

A 42-year-old female with intradural lipoma at the level of L1 is reported. She was admitted with a history of 32 months of lumbago, 25 months of pain of the left leg, and 12 months of motor weakness in the left leg. Neurologically, sensory impairment below the L1 dermatome of the left leg, and motor weakness of bilateral legs were noted on admission. CT demonstrated a low density mass with no contrast enhanced effect at the level of L1. MRI showed a mass with high signal intensity on the T1-weighted image, and low signal intensity on the T2. L1 laminectomy, and additional Th12 and L2 partial laminectomy were performed and the tumor was partially removed. The tumor was completely in the intradural space. Pathologically, the tumor consisted of mature adipose cells with normal vessels. Postoperatively, the epidural effusion at the operative area caused sensory impairment and motor weakness of the right leg. Finally, the patient came to be neurologically free of defects except for slight sensory diminution of the L4 dermatome of the left leg. In this case, total removal of the tumor was difficult because of adhesion between the tumor, the cauda equina and the conus medullaris. Postoperatively, neurological findings showed a marked improvement. The preoperative neurological deterioration in this case seemed to be associated with simple compression exerted on the nerves.

Adult↗

Estimation of chronic phase duration in Ph-positive chronic myelocytic leukemia treated with busulfan: statistical analysis on Japanese patients.

Chronic phase duration was analyzed in 148 Japanese patients with Ph-positive chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) treated only with busulfan, and multivariate proportional hazard models were constructed to infer the prognosis of a given patient, and to evaluate the prognostic importance of the clinical findings. To make an accurate estimation of an individual patient's prognosis, we introduced a piecewise linear model for describing a hazard function in each prognostic variable. Of the 11 prognostic variables initially analyzed, the absolute count of peripheral basophils was revealed as the most important prognostic factor. A high basophil count was clearly a factor in cases with poor prognosis. The statistical model selection based on the criteria of model approximation finally suggested a model with three covariates; absolute count of peripheral basophils, platelet count, and presence or absence of additional chromosome abnormalities superimposed on the translocation of 9;22. By analyses based on the above model, we estimated that the median of the chronic phase duration for the patients with poor and good prognosis was 12 and 75 months, respectively. The piecewise linear model was well suited for an accurate estimation of an individual patient's prognosis. Thus, the model constructed here would become a reliable control to evaluate investigational approaches, such as hydroxyurea, interferons, and/or bone marrow transplantation.

Adolescent↗

[Effect of habitual physical activity on physical fitness and serum cholesterol in middle-aged male workers].

The effects of habitual physical activity on physical fitness parameters and serum cholesterol profile were studied in middle-aged male workers. The subjects were 3376 middle-aged men (age: 30-59 yrs) who worked at two enterprises in HIROSHIMA Prefecture. As for physical fitness parameters, grip strength, vertical jump, side step, and step test scores were measured. Atherogenic index was calculated as (total Chol-HDL Chol)/(HDL Chol). Because daily physical activity mainly consists of physical activities during leisure time and working time, by using a questionnaire, physical activity during leisure time was assessed and categorized by frequency into three categories: 'frequently', 'sometimes', and 'seldom': and physical activity during work was categorized as 'high' or 'low' according to the average walking time per day during work. The effect of these physical activities on physical fitness parameters and serum cholesterol profile was evaluated by analysis of covariance (PC-SAS: GLM procedure) adjusting for several confounding factors such as age, body mass index, type of job, smoking and drinking habits. The main results are summarized as follows: 1) Physical activity during leisure time was positively related to vertical jump, side step, and step test score, independent of physical activity during working time, and 2) physical activity during leisure time was negatively associated to LDL-C and AI in the group with 'low' physical activity during work. These results show that in middle-aged male workers, even moderate or light physical activity during leisure time has some beneficial health promoting effects through changes in physical fitness and serum cholesterol profile.

Adult↗

Sequence of a cDNA encoding chicken stem cell factor.

Stem cell factor (SCF) is a polypeptide growth factor and the ligand for the c-kit proto-oncogene product. We cloned a chicken cDNA encoding a protein homologous to the mouse and human SCFs. The deduced amino acid (aa) sequence shows 53 and 52% identity to the mouse and human SCFs, respectively.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Role of hypervolemic hemodilution in focal cerebral ischemia of rats.

This study was designed to better define a protocol for hypervolemic hemodilution in acute cerebral ischemia and investigate the mechanism of action of this therapy. Anesthetized rats (n = 40) were subjected to 6 h of middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. At 45 min after MCA occlusion, each rat received one of the following treatment modalities: (1) control, (2) isovolemic hemodilution, (3) hypervolemic nonhemodilution (whole blood), (4) hypervolemic hemodilution (normal saline), and (5) hypervolemic hemodilution (hetastarch). Local cerebral blood flow (CBF) was determined with hydrogen clearance technique, and cardiac output was assessed by measuring the descending aorta blood flow (DAF). Infarction volume was estimated by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining method. Hetastarch infusion increased both DAF and local CBF more than the other treatments, by 98% and by 89%, respectively. Hetastarch also reduced infarction volume the most to 71 +/- 19 mm3 (p < 0.01 versus control 117 +/- 32 mm3). A significant correlation between percent (%) changes in local CBF and % changes in DAF existed in ischemic brain regions, and the hetastarch infusion improved local CBF more prominently in profoundly ischemic regions in contrast to isovolemic hemodilution. These data demonstrated the superiority of hypervolemic hemodilution with hetastarch as compared to other similar treatment modalities for acute cerebral ischemia, and indicate that cardiac output augmentation may be more responsible than decreased blood viscosity for the beneficial effect of hypervolemic hemodilution on local CBF in profoundly ischemic regions, as such ischemic brain tissue can severely lose its regulatory control of CBF to alterations in cardiac output.

Analysis of Variance↗

Hyperdynamic therapy for focal cerebral ischemia of rats: use of colloidal volume expansion and dobutamine.

The effects of hyperdynamic therapy with colloidal volume expansion and pharmacological augmentation of cardiac function with dobutamine on local cerebral blood flow (CBF) and the size of ischemic injury were investigated in rats subjected to 6 h of middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. At 45 min after MCA occlusion, each rat was randomly assigned to one of the following treatment groups: (1) control; (2) hetastarch infusion (HES); and (3) hetastarch plus dobutamine (12 micrograms/kg/min) infusion (HES/DOB). In both the HES and HES/DOB groups, cardiac output and local CBF in ischemic brain markedly increased after treatment and infarction volumes were significantly reduced as compared to the control group. There were, however, no significant differences between both groups apart from a dobutamine-induced tachycardia. Colloidal volume expansion augmented cardiac output, increased CBF in ischemic brain, and substantially modified the extent of ischemic injury. However, the addition of dobutamine did not bring about adjunctive beneficial effects of cardiac performance, CBF, or the degree of ischemic brain damage in the rat focal ischemic model.

Animals↗

[Cigarette smoking and physical fitness].

In this review, previous studies regarding the effects of cigarette smoking on parameters of physical fitness such as endurance performance, muscle strength, step test score, body mass index, blood pressure, serum lipoprotein profile, etc., have been summarized with a special reference to the quality of life for middle-aged and elder men, including the result of recent studies by the present authors. Additionally the hypothesized mechanisms of cigarette smoking to atherosclerosis have been shown. It is concluded mainly from our recent studies that: 1) the smoking has an effect to impair not only the aerobic power, but also the anaerobic power, 2) the abstention from chronic smoking would be expected to improve the parameters of physical fitness, and 3) even though the duration from the onset of smoking is less than one year, i.e., a relatively short-term smoking habit, the smoking has a serious damage to the several parameters of physical fitness.

Aged↗