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Biomedical subjects

M Sugawara

Publications and source records attributed to M Sugawara.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

[An opinion from a user: a nurse's point of view].

The focus of this discussion is twofold; to provide an overview patient management in the nursing unit in relation to the Department of Examinations and to propose some strategies for assuring safe, accurate and effective laboratory tests from a nursing perspective. There are four issues identified as weaknesses in the environment of our collaboration; a lack of consistent support for anxious or frightened patients undergoing laboratory tests due to the low volume of information shared by us; a limited clinical laboratory consultation available to nurses because of unfriendly and unclear access to the Dept. of Examinations; a lack of collaboration and flexibility in responding to individual diversity in health problems; a lack of clinical laboratory coordination in scheduling laboratory tests, especially, for patients with multiple tests per day or per week. Based on those issues, five strategies are proposed. Greater involvement of medical technologists in routine laboratory works in the unit such as drawing blood and collecting specimens as needed. Clinical Laboratory tests except for urgent tests should be scheduled to minimize disturbances of life style for inpatients while waiting for the completion of all tests. An information processing system that helps nurses maintain advanced knowledge and skills is necessary to follow the state of art in the specialized area of clinical laboratory tests. It is definitely recommended that effective consultation be offered by the Dept. of Examinations. It is beneficial to patients for medical technologists to actively participate in the cooperative medicine of our hospital by sharing the patient's information with nurses in the unit. Lastly, it would be welcome to have direct communication with patients on the unit. This would facilitate mutual understanding between technologists and nurses. In conclusion, collaboration between the Department of Examinations and nurses of the unit may maximize patient benefits brought by the valuable information obtained from laboratory work through improved communication and mutual understanding.

Anxiety↗
PubMed1997

Vascular reactivity to endothelium-derived relaxing factor in human umbilical artery at term pregnancy.

It has been reported that human umbilical artery (HUA) at term pregnancy released endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), using a superfusion bioassay system. However, other reports showed that endothelium-dependent relaxation was not observed in isometric tension studies using HUA ring with intact endothelium. Thus, we intended to clarify whether vascular smooth muscle of HUA at term is sensitive to EDRF. HUA was obtained after normal vaginal delivery or cesarean section at term. Isometric tension studies were performed in normal Krebs solution, using HUA rings or strips, which were prepared in calcium-free Krebs solution. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide (NO) donor drug, relaxed HUA rings precontracted with 0.1 microM 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) in a dose-dependent manner (1 nM-10 microM). Histamine, substance P, carbachol, or the calcium ionophore A23187, which are considered to be EDRF-releasing agents, did not relax the HUA rings. By immunohistochemical study, it was confirmed that endothelial cells were present in the luminal surface of the HUA rings after the isometric tension recording. In a co-axial bioassay system involving HUA strips denuded of endothelium and rabbit aorta with intact endothelium, HUA strips precontracted with 0.1 microM 5HT were relaxed in response to 1 microM SNP but not 1 microM carbachol, which released EDRF from the endothelium of rabbit aorta. These findings suggest that HUA at term is sensitive to NO but not EDRF.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[A case of permanent pacemaker implantation in neonate using steroid-eluting myocardial pacing leads].

A 0-day-old infant with symptomatic congenital atrioventricular block diagnosed by fetal echocardiography was successfully treated with the pacemaker implantation. Two steroid-eluting myocardial electrodes were fixed on the wall of the right ventricle. Steroid-eluting myocardial electrode is smaller than the others, stab-in and screw-in leads, so even in neonate we were able to place the leads by the subxyphoid approach. The postoperative thresholds were excellent.

Cardiac Pacing, Artificial↗
PubMed1997

Arterial wave intensity and ventriculoarterial interaction.

Wave intensity analysis has been applied to the study of arterial hemodynamics. It is a measure of the power transported by waves as they propagate within the arteries and may provide quantitative information about both upstream and downstream conditions. This paper discusses the physical meaning of wave intensity, its measurement using invasive and noninvasive methods, and the effects of physical and pharmacological interventions.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Dynamic exercise-induced changes in diastolic properties of the regional myocardium in hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy.

We investigated the effect of mild exercise on global and regional diastolic function in patients with hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), using simultaneous measurement of micromanometric left ventricular pressure and echocardiographic indexes. Although left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) at rest in the hypertensive LVH group was similar to that in the control normotensive group, who had no abnormality on echocardiography or cardiac catheterization, LVEDP showed a marked increase during exercise only in the hypertensive LVH group. The pressure-dimension relation was shifted upward during exercise in all patients with hypertensive LVH. We utilized a new index of regional diastolic myocardial stiffness, KDM, which is derived from the diastolic relation between the mean wall stress and the natural logarithm of the reciprocal of wall thickness. Although KDM at rest was similar in the two groups, KDM increased significantly during exercise, both in the septum and posterior wall in patients with hypertensive LVH. The present results imply that even low-grade exercise may have deleterious effects on regional myocardial performance in patients with hypertensive LVH.

Diastole↗
PubMed1996

A unique human gene that spans over 230 kb in the human chromosome 8p11-12 and codes multiple family proteins sharing RNA-binding motifs.

A unique gene, RBP-MS, spanning over 230 kb in the human chromosome 8p11-12 near the Werner syndrome gene locus is described. The single-copy RBP-MS gene is alternatively spliced, resulting in a family of at least 12 transcripts (average length of 1.5 kb). Nine different types of cDNAs that encode an RNa-binding motif at the N terminus and helix-rich sequences at the C terminus have been identified thus far. Among the 16 exons identified, four 5'-proximal exons contained sequences homologous to the RNA-binding domain of Drosophila couch potato gene. Northern blot analysis showed that the RBP-MS gene was expressed strongly in the heart, prostate, intestine, and ovary, and poorly in the skeletal muscle, spleen, thymus, brain, and peripheral leukocytes. The possible role of this gene in RNA metabolism is discussed.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed1996

Solubilization and reconstitution characteristics of the carrier protein(s) responsible for the transport of ceftibuten, a substrate for the oligopeptide transporters, in rat renal brush-border membrane.

Optimal procedures for the reconstitution of the transport activity of ceftibuten, a dianionic beta-lactam antibiotic, from rat kidney brush-border membrane were developed. The uptake activity into reconstituted proteoliposomes appeared to be particularly sensitive to the extraction conditions, and to the lipid composition used for reconstitution. Changes in the concentration of octyl glucoside significantly affected the extraction of ceftibuten transport activity, and optimal extraction was achieved at a concentration of 60 mM. Optimal reconstitution was achieved using a lipid composition of asolectin, cholesterol and phosphatidylserine in a w/w percent ratio of 60:30:10, respectively, and with a lipid-to-protein ratio of 10. The uptake of ceftibuten into the resulting proteoliposomes showed temperature and pH dependency, was inhibitable by a range of cephem antibiotics, oligopeptides and the organic anion PAH, and was trans-stimulated by cephalexin and dipeptides. This reconstitution system will likely prove useful in future studies on the functional analysis of the peptide transport system in a purified form.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Transport mechanisms of nucleosides and the derivative, 6-mercaptopurine riboside across rate intestinal brush-border membranes.

Na+ -driven nucleoside transport processes across rat intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles were investigated. 6-Mercaptopurine riboside (6-MPR), an analogue of purine-nucleoside such as adenosine and inosine, was recognized by its purine- and pyrimidine-nucleosides transport system, but their nucleobases did not entirely inhibit the 6-MPR transport. The analysis according to the Hill equation of the curve of Na+ activation of 6-MPR uptake was consistent with the notion of a Na+/6-MPR coupling stoichiometry of 1:1. The expressed transport activities of adenosine, uridine, and 6-MPR were Na+ -dependent and saturable, and their affinity constants (Km value) obtained by Eadie-Hofstee analysis were approx. 20, 15 and 100 microM. Moreover, the uptake of radiolabeled adenosine and uridine was trans-stimulated by 6-MPR inside vesicles in the absence of an inwardly directed Na+ gradient. On the other hand, uridine did not exhibit any inhibitory effects on the uptake of adenosine despite the fact that adenosine was a potent inhibitor of uridine uptake by intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles. These differences in the inhibition may be explained by the multiplicity of the nucleoside transport systems.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1996

The long-term influence of pulmonary valve regurgitation following repair of tetralogy of Fallot: does preservation of the pulmonary valve ring affect quality of life?

The transannular patch (TAP) repair used in the correction of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) inevitably causes pulmonary regurgitation. We report herein the results of a long-term follow-up study conducted on 50 patients who had undergone a TAP repair 20-29 years earlier to evaluate the influence of pulmonary regurgitation on their late outcome and quality of life. As a control, 26 patients with an intact pulmonary valve ring and right ventricular outflow patch (RVP) confined to the subvalvular region were also studied. The 25-year survival rates of the TAP and RVP groups were 88.5% and 95.7%, respectively, and the event-free rates at 25 years were 73.3% and 90.9%, respectively. Although the absolute values of these rates were higher in the RVP group, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups. To assess quality of life, the occupational status, childbearing ability, and late symptoms were evaluated, and found to be comparable between the two groups. Moreover, a treadmill submaximal stress test did not show any differences in exercise capacity between the two groups. In conclusion, the presence of a TAP does not significantly alter the late results or quality of life of patients who have undergone repair of TOF.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

High sensitivity to streptozotocin in herbivorous voles, Microtus arvalis, compared to mice.

Herbivorous voles, Microtus arvalis, have characteristics similar to herbivores in that their hepatic glycolytic enzyme activities are relatively low. The effects of a single low dose (100 mg/kg body weight) of streptozotocin (STZ) in voles were studied and the difference in sensitivity to or toxicity of STZ in voles and C57BL/6 mice was compared. In voles which received STZ, the cumulative incidence of glycosuria reached 53% by 4 weeks after administration. The diabetic voles showed marked increases in their blood glucose and plasma free fatty acid concentrations and a significant decrease in plasma immunoreactive insulin concentrations. Their hepatic hexokinase, glucokinase, glutathione peroxidase and glutamate dehydrogenase activities decreased significantly and lesions were widely observed in the liver, kidney and pancreas. The activities of glutathione peroxidase, a scavenger of H2O2, decreased significantly in their liver and pancreas. These changes were not observed in C57BL/6 mice which received STZ. The higher sensitivity to and toxicity of STZ in voles than in mice are considered to be caused by the characteristically low activities of glycolytic enzymes and glutathione peroxidase in the tissues of voles. Voles may be a good model for studying the mechanisms of cytotoxicity by STZ in herbivorous animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Changes in diastolic regional stiffness of the left ventricle before and after coronary artery bypass grafting.

To evaluate the effect of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on regional diastolic function of the left ventricular wall, we applied the concept of the stiffness constant to the diastolic sigma-ln (1/H) relation, where sigma is the mean wall stress, and H is the wall thickness of the region of concern, and ln (1/H) is the natural logarithm of the reciprocal of wall thickness. We assessed 12 cardiac regions in six patients with coronary artery disease who underwent CABG at the Cardiovascular Hospital of Central Japan between May 1994 and January 1995. Left ventricular pressure and regional wall thickness were measured simultaneously, with a micromanometer-tipped catheter and by two-dimensional echocardiography, respectively, before and after CABG. The stiffness constant (K) was obtained by fitting the diastolic sigma-ln (1/H) data points to an exponential curve with zero asymptote: sigma = Cexp[Kln (1/H)]. Preoperatively, the stiffness constant in the affected region (CABG region) was greater than that in the unaffected region (non-CABG region) (4.79 +/- 2.56 vs 2.95 +/- 0.72). Postoperatively, the stiffness constant in the CABG region was significantly decreased, to 3.21 +/- 1.22. The stiffness constant, which is derived from the sigma-ln (1/H) relation, is useful for the assessment of LV regional diastolic function.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Estimation of the physical distance between major genomic markers in the Werner syndrome locus (8p11.2-12) by dual-color fish analysis.

The gene responsible for Werner syndrome (WS) is considered to be located between D8S131 and D8S87 in the 8p11.2-12 region that includes the closest marker D8S339 (Goto et al. (1992) Nature 355: 735-738). In this experiment, the order of major markers in this region was determined and the physical distances between them were estimated by dual-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using P1, PAC and cosmid clone DNAs as probes. The fine overall order of telomere-D8S131-D8S339-GSR-PP2A beta-D8S283-D8S87-centromere was determined for the first time. The distance from D8S131 to D8S87 was estimated to be 1,634 kb. To our surprise, the distance between D8S131 and D8S87 is much shorter than previously estimated by recombination analysis, 8.3 cM equivalent to 8.3 Mb in physical distance. These information provide the basis for the positional cloning of WS gene and the identification of its mutation.

DNA↗
PubMed1996

Relationship between cigarette smoking and hypothyroidism in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

This retrospective study examined the relationship between smoking history and thyroid function in 387 women patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (mean age +/- SD = 50.5 +/- 12.7 yr). The same analysis was done in 238 randomly chosen women patients with nodular goiters (mean age = 45.3 +/- 14 yr) and 166 control women (mean age = 47.7 +/- 14.2 yr). In patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, there were 256 non smokers, 110 smokers, and 21 smokers. Among the 110 smoking patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, 76.4% were hypothyroid, whereas the prevalence of hypothyroidism was 34.8% among the 256 non smokers. Among the 21 ex-smokers with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the majority of patients (61.9%) were hypothyroid, suggesting that cessation of smoking does not appear to reverse hypothyroidism. The percentages of smokers in the hypothyroid group, the subclinical hypothyroid group, and the euthyroid group were 45.2%, 18%, and 11.3%, respectively, in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The greatest serum levels of thiocyanate (an antithyroid substance generated by smoking) were found in those who both smoked and had hypothyroidism. Thus, an increase in serum thiocyanate concentration from smoking may contribute to the development of hypothyroidism in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Smoking related hypothyroidism was not seen in patients with nodular goiters. Our results suggest that smoking may increase the risk of hypothyroidism in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Thyroid cancer detected by ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

A greater percentage of thyroid cancers can be detected by ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (UG-FNAB) than by ordinary FNAB. A group of 678 patients were selected sequentially as having been diagnosed with benign nodules by the conventional FNAB method. We reexamined these patients by UG-FNAB and investigated the types of thyroid cancer that were missed by the conventional FNAB. Of the 678 patients diagnosed with benign nodules (using conventional FNAB), 571 (84.2%) demonstrated the same diagnosis when UG-FNAB was used. The remaining 107 patients (15.8%) studied were suspected of having a malignancy after UG-FNAB had been performed. Surgical specimen histology proved thyroid cancer in 99 of the 107 patients: 93 had papillary carcinoma, 4 had follicular carcinoma, 1 had medullary carcinoma and 1 had anaplastic carcinoma. Two drawbacks were noted when conventional FNAB was used: (1) cancer lesions difficult to palpate (n = 55) (e.g., small cancers with or without benign lesions or cancers associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis or Graves' disease); and (2) palpable cancers with insufficient cell material for analysis (n = 44) (e.g., cystic carcinoma and cancers with calcified lesions. UG-FNAB is a powerful technique for detecting microcancers, cystic carcinomas, cancers associated with benign nodules, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, or coarse calcifications.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗
PubMed1996

Effect of 4h preexercise high carbohydrate and high fat meal ingestion on endurance performance and metabolism.

The effect of a single high carbohydrate meal (HCM) and high fat meal (HFM) given 4 h before cycling exercises was determined for performance and metabolism. On the morning of the day of the trial, 10 endurance-trained collegiate males consumed either a single HCM (4669 kj; 79% CHO, 10% F and 11% P) or HFM (4711 kj; 30% CHO, 61% F and 9% P) as a 4 h preexercise meal. The intensity of exercise required was 65% of the maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) for the first 120 min of exercise, followed by an increased dose of 80% VO2max. Endurance capacity did not differ between the HCM (128 +/- 3 min [SEM]) and HFM (122 +/- 3 min) trials. There was no significant difference in blood glucose levels in the HCM and HFM trials. A significantly higher (p < 0.01) serum insulin level in the HCM trials over the HFM trials was only observed at the start of exercise. Blood lactate levels (< 2.6 mM) during cycling remained below the anaerobic threshold. Respiratory exchange ratio in the HCM trials was significantly higher (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) than that in HFM trials during the first 40 min of exercise. This was accompanied by significantly lower (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) levels in serum free fatty acid and beta-HOB for the HCM trial. There was no significant difference between both diet regimens as to heart rate, oxygen consumption and perceived exertion during exercise. These results suggest that a single HCM and HFM given 4 h before exercise influences fuel utilization in the initial stages of prolonged cycling, but these meals may have little effect on endurance capacity.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Elevated serum interleukin-6 and decreased thyroid hormone levels in postoperative patients and effects of IL-6 on thyroid cell function in vitro.

We studied a wide variety of surgical patients to determine whether serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) correlate with the changes in serum thyroid hormone levels of the postoperative period. Surgical procedures were divided into minor surgery (cholecystectomy, n = 12), moderate surgery (colorectal cancer and stomach cancer, n = 54), and extensive surgery (esophageal cancer or pancreatic cancer, n = 6). One day after surgery, serum free T3 levels decreased in all 3 groups when compared to the preoperative values; serum free T4 levels did not change regardless of surgical procedure. Serum TSH levels decreased significantly 1 day after surgery in the groups of moderate and extensive surgery. Serum levels of IL-6 increased 12 h after surgery and began to decrease gradually thereafter. There was no change in serum levels of TNF-alpha before and after surgery. The increment of serum IL-6 was dependent on the surgical procedures: the more extensive the surgery, the greater the increase in serum IL-6. Serum free T3 and free T4 levels were inversely correlated with the serum levels of IL-6. To further examine whether IL-6 is responsible for alteration of thyroid hormone production, cultured porcine thyroid follicles were exposed to 0 to 20 ng/ml of recombinant human IL-6 for 24 to 48 h. Then, type 1 5'-deiodinase activity (T4 to T3 converting enzyme), iodide uptake, and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) activity were measured. Our in vitro experiments showed no effect of IL-6 on these parameters. In summary, surgical procedure can cause elevation of serum IL-6 and decrease in serum free T3 levels. However, IL-6 alone does not appear to be a strong candidate for alteration of thyroid hormone production including T3 generation from T4.

Aged↗