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Biomedical subjects

M Uno

Publications and source records attributed to M Uno.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Suicide and aging in Japan: an examination of treated elderly suicide attempters.

Although individuals aged 65 and over accounted for 12% of the total population of Japan in 1990, suicides in this age group consisted of 29% of all suicides. The elderly population of Japan is expected to grow rapidly to 24% of the total population by the year 2020, and suicide prevention for the elderly is an urgent mental health problem. Among a total of 1,216 elderly patients who were admitted to the Department of Psychiatry at Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital between April 1980 and March 1990, 50 were hospitalized immediately after suicide attempts in order to study their psychosociomedical problems. Because early diagnosis of depression and initiation of proper treatment are indispensable--even if patients do not show obvious depressive symptoms--those who develop persistent somatization and/or delirium should be considered highly suicidal and given special attention. With the cooperation of mental health professionals, it is necessary to educate general practitioners, the public, and the elderly themselves about characteristics of psychiatric disorders and various problems associated with aging. Further research on other elderly Japanese populations, as well as research that examines suicide completion, is needed to confirm the findings of the present study.

Age Distribution↗

Relationship of parental bonding to child abuse and dissociation in eating disorders in Japan.

Parental bonding patterns were studied in 52 female Japanese eating disorder outpatients with and without histories of sexual or physical abuse and with dissociation. Instruments included the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) and the Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule (DDIS). Those with physical abuse history, but not sexual abuse history, had significantly different parental bonding scores and higher DES scores compared with subjects without physical abuse. DES scores and PBI scores were not correlated. Although the PBI was useful in discriminating between those with and those without abuse histories, it did not detect differences in degree of dissociation. Lack of association of sexual abuse to PBI and DES scores may have been due to mild abuse.

Adolescent↗

Neutral red staining for the assessment of acute outcome in rat focal cerebral ischemia models.

Neutral red staining was evaluated as an acute outcome assessment method in rat models of cerebral ischemia by comparison with histological infarction volume. Fischer 344 rats (n = 48) were used in three different models of middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion: proximal MCA occlusion (n = 16), distal MCA occlusion followed by ipsilateral common carotid artery (CCA) occlusion (distal MCA/CCA occlusion, n = 15), and MCA occlusion with an intravascularly introduced 4-0 nylon suture (intravascular MCA occlusion, n = 17). At 1 hour, 2 hours, and 4 hours after MCA occlusion, animals were injected with 2.5 ml of 4% neutral red solution via the femoral vein, and then sacrificed. Proximal MCA occlusion caused a neutral red defect volume in the cortex which correlated well with histological infarction volume at 4 hours (r = 0.88, p < 0.05), and in the caudate which correlated well with infarction volume at 4 hours (r = 0.94, p < 0.01). Distal MCA/CCA occlusion caused a neutral red defect volume in the cortex lager than the histological infarction volume (4 hrs: 88.6 +/- 11.8 vs. 74.3 +/- 17.4 mm3, p < 0.05) but closely correlated with the infarction volume at 4 hours (r = 0.81, p < 0.05). Intravascular MCA occlusion caused a neutral red defect volume in only two of 17 animals after 1-4 hours, which correlated well with the absence of histological evidence of infarction. Neutral red staining is a simple method for assessing the acute outcome of focal cerebral ischemia as early as 4 hours after the onset, in an appropriate model of cerebral ischemia.

Animals↗

[A case of Binswanger's disease in which an acute infarcted lesion was detected by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging].

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) was carried out on a patient with Binswanger's disease suffering from acute cerebral infarction. Though an acute infarcted lesion was demonstrated as a high signal area on the T2-weighted image, it was impossible to determine whether it was acute or chronic because of extensive deep white matter lesions (periventricular hyperintensity and white matter hyperintensity lesions). However, only the acute infarcted lesion was detected on DWI which showed it as a high signal area, suggesting reduced molecular diffusion of water. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), a physiological parameter that characterizes the self-diffusion on water in tissue, was lower in the acute lesion and higher in the chronic lesion. DWI can differentiate acute from chronic infarcts, which is not possible by conventional CT and MRI.

Acute Disease↗

[Evaluation by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of carotid-cavernous fistula with cortical venous drainage].

Cases with carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) associated with cortical venous drainage through the sylvian veins are rather rare. However, such cases involve risk for subarachnoid hemorrhage, subcortical hemorrhage and venous infarction due to venous hypertension in the brain. Even without these symptoms, CCF under these conditions provokes disturbance in cerebral metabolism. We report two cases of CCF associated with cortical venous drainage evaluated by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). Case 1: A 56 year-old female suffered from a right CCF associated with cortical venous drainage through the sylvian veins after trauma. Before embolization with a detachable balloon catheter, the ratios of N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA)/Choline (Cho) and NAA/Creatine (Cr) in 1H-MRS on the right temporo-basal ganglia were lower than those in normal volunteers. After curative balloon embolization of the CCF, serial 1H-MRS still demonstrated laterality (NAA/Cho and NAA/Cr ratios on the right side were lower than those on the left). Six months after embolization, these ratios on the right became closer to those on the left. Case 2: A 48 year-old female suffered from spontaneous CCF associated with cortical venous drainage. Before embolization of the CCF, ratios of NAA/Cho and NAA/Cr on the temporo-basal ganglia of the drainage side (left side) were lower than those on the contralateral side. After partial embolization of the CCF, which caused the angiographical disappearance of the cortical venous drainage, NAA/Cho and NAA/Cr ratios on the affected side increased to almost the same levels as those on the contralateral side. We consider that 1H-MRS is noninvasive and is a useful method to generate data evaluation of affected brain metabolism by venous reflux in cases of CCF associated with cortical venous drainage.

Arteriovenous Fistula↗

[Usefulness of coronary angiography in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy].

We evaluated 37 cases of coronary angiography in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The severity of coronary stenosis was estimated by Gesini's scoring system. There was no correlation between the severity of carotid stenosis and that of coronary stenosis, but those patients who had a history of coronary artery disease, carotid bruit or intracranial artery stenoses presented significant severe coronary stenosis in most cases. Even in the patients who had no history of coronary artery disease (n = 26), 13 patients (50%) had stenotic lesions shown by coronary angiography. Eight patients required treatment for their coronary stenotic lesions: 5 were treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and 3 with coronary artery bypass grafting. Intraoperative occlusion tests monitored by EEG and SEP showed abnormal findings in 6 CEA operations. One of these patients received PTCA before CEA, and had a good clinical course during and after the CEA procedure. In conclusion, in patients undergoing CEA there is frequently concomitant coronary artery stenosis. We should thus assess the coronary artery lesion more precisely by coronary angiography, and should carry out prophylactic treatment for these lesions.

Aged↗

[Clinical investigation of severe pulmonary tuberculosis and miliary tuberculosis].

Although the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis had been rapidly decreased in Japan, it is pointed out that the rate of decrease in annual incidence became smaller in recent years. This slowing down of the rate of decrease is considered to be resulted from an increase in number of individuals who are more susceptible to tuberculous infection; such as the elderly, young people who are not exposed to TB bacilli previously and therefore not immunized, patients with malignant disease or with organ transplantation and HIV-infected persons. Pulmonary tuberculosis still remained as a pulmonary infectious disease of highly ranked importance. Especially, miliary tuberculosis is life-threatening and occasionally fatal unless early intensive antituberculosis chemotherapy was started on the basis of a rapid and definite diagnosis. We made a retrospective survey to clarify the characteristic clinical features of miliary tuberculosis. For this purpose, we compared the characteristics and clinical features of 10 patients with miliary tuberculosis and those of 18 patients with severe pulmonary tuberculosis, not due to hematogenous dissemination. The mean ages of miliary tuberculosis group and that of severe pulmonary tuberculosis group were 62.6 and 63.8 years old, respectively, with no significant difference. Nine out of ten patients with miliary tuberculosis had fever as one of initial symptoms, whereas, all the patients with severe pulmonary tuberculosis had cough and sputa but they seldom developed fever (high fever) at the initial stage of their diseases. Duration from onset of symptom to the admission was 1.2 months on average in both groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Pathogenesis of cerebellar deformity in experimental Chiari type I malformation caused by mumps virus.

We sought to elucidate the pathogenesis of Chiari type I malformation using an experimental model of hydrocephalus produced by inoculating hamsters with mumps virus. Dilatation of the lateral ventricules was detected in all brains inoculated at 2, 10, and 25 days of age. The cerebellum in hamsters inoculated at 2 and 10 days of age showed elongation and flattening of the vermis and protrusion or notching of the uvula. All layers, i.e., the molecular, Purkinje cell, and granular layers, and the white matter were preserved, but had become narrow. Purkinje cells remained normal. Hamsters inoculated at 25 days of age did not develop the cerebellar deformity. Mumps virus antigen was detected in all ependymal cells and in some epithelial cells of the choroid plexus in all hamsters that had been inoculated at 2, 10, or 25 days of age. Results suggest that Chiari type I malformation is caused by two main factors occurring simultaneously, i.e., increasing intracranial pressure and rapid histogenesis of the cerebellar cortex.

Animals↗

Plasma levels of soluble fibrin in patients with malignancy-associated disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is one of the most critical complications of malignant diseases. It is conventionally diagnosed by a decrease in platelets and an increase in fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP). Recently, an immunological assay was developed that can directly quantify the amount of soluble fibrin (SF) formed in the blood. This study examined this assay system in the diagnosis of DIC and found that it is a good indicator of both fibrin formation and of DIC. Plasma levels of SF correlated well with the DIC score, which is determined according to the 'DIC Scoring Guideline' proposed by the DIC Study Group under the Japanese Ministry of Public Welfare in 1988. It also correlated well with the serum levels of FDP. Normal values of plasma SF ranged between 0 and 9.50 micrograms/ml. Interestingly, values of SF in females tended to increase with age, for reasons that are not yet determined.

Adolescent↗

[Case report: infective endocarditis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae].

A 42-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of high grade fever on October 6, 1992. He had no history of cardiac and underlying disease. For the past 10 days, he had complained of high grade fever and noticed arthralgia on his left shoulder. Physical examination on admission revealed that there was a body temperature of 39.0 degrees C and tenderness in the left shoulder. There were no abnormal findings for the chest or abdomen. On the second hospital day, he developed a diastolic murmur which had not been present on admission. And blood culture was positive for Streptococcus agalactiae. Ultrasonic-cardiogram indicated the presence of vegetation. He was diagnosed as infective endocarditis and treated with PCG 20 million units/day, IPM/CS 2 g/day and ISP 400 mg/day. But he was not responding to the chemotherapy. Aortic valve replacement was done on 22nd, October. Valve surgery succeeded and he became well after that time. Endocarditis caused by S. agalactiae is extremely rare, and is an important condition which carries a high mortality. Only seven cases of S. agalactiae endocarditis have been reported in Japan. It is difficult to treat these cases with antibiotic therapy alone. Therefore, we suggest that early surgery should be considered in infective endocarditis caused by S. agalactiae.

Adult↗

[A case report of atypical tuberculous spondylitis].

A 22-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of progressive weakness of bilateral lower limbs on October 29, 1992. He also complained of cough, sputum and back pain for 6 months. He had no history of underlying disease. His family history disclosed that his elder brother had tuberculous peritonitis. Chest radiogram on admission showed an abnormal shadow around the right first arch. Computerized tomogram revealed osteolytic lesions of the vertebral corpus and posterior elements at the level of C3, Th5, and Th11. Metastatic bone tumor was strongly suspected and surgical decompression was done on November 12. Histologic findings of the bone showed caseation and Langhans's giant cells, and acid fast bacilli were isolated. He was treated with anti-tubercular chemotherapy and showed remarkable relief of his symptoms over a period of 6 months therapy. This was a case of atypical tuberculous spondylitis. The main locus existed at the posterior elements of the vertebra and the distribution of vertebral lesions was multiple including cervical spine.

Adult↗

[A case report: sepsis associated with hypoglycemia].

A 78-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of disturbance of consciousness. She had been diagnosed as uterus carcinoma and had undergone radiotherapy one year before admission. On admission, her body temperature was 35.5 degrees C and systolic blood pressure was 50 mmHg. Ascites and semicomatose consciousness were detected. Laboratory evaluation demonstrated the following values: leukocyte count 38800/microliters, blood sugar 3 mg/l and arterial blood pH 6.9. Therapy with catecholamine and antibiotics was started, but she expired 10 hours after admission. Bacteroides ovatus was detected from her blood. Autopsy findings disclosed abscess and perforation of the uterus, and liver cirrhosis. Hypoglycemia has rarely been described as a clinical manifestation of sepsis and this case is, to our knowledge, is the first report of sepsis complicated with hypoglycemia in Japan.

Aged↗

[Brain MRI findings in patients with initial cerebral thrombosis and the relationship between incidental findings, aging and dementia].

To estimate the relationship between aging, dementia and changes observed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) seen in elderly patients with cerebral thrombosis, MRI findings in 103 patients with an initial stroke event (thrombosis group) were compared with those of 37 patients with hypertension/diabetes (high risk group) and 78 patients without those disorders (low risk group). In addition to the causative lesions in the thrombosis group, periventricular hyperintensities (PVH), spotty lesions (SL), silent infarctions (SI), ventricular dilatation (VD), and cortical atrophy (CA) were analyzed in these groups. Infarctions located in the internal capsule/corona radiata were the most frequent causative lesion. Compared to the low risk group, a high incidence of patchy/diffuse PVH, SI, and severe CA was seen in both the thrombosis group and the high risk group. Widespread PVH and multiple SL increased with age in the thrombosis group, while severe CA was seen in each group. SI and VD tended to increase after age 60, though they were not significant. Dementia, diagnosed in 40 out of 78 patients, increased with age. Multivariate analysis revealed the degree of the effects of MRI findings on dementia to be marked in PVH, brain atrophy, causative lesions, and SL, in that order. These results indicated that diffuse PVH and brain atrophy, developing with age, promoted dementia in the elderly with vascular lesions. Moreover, they suggested that a variety of silent brain lesions recognized on MRI other than infarction can affect symptoms in the elderly.

Aged↗

[A case of metachronous bilateral malignant lymphoma of the testis].

We report a case of metachronous bilateral malignant lymphoma of the testis. A 67-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with complaints of left scrotal swelling with swelling of the left inguinal lymph node. Left high orchiectomy and dissection of the left inguinal lymph node were done under the diagnosis of the testicular tumor. Histopathological diagnosis was non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of diffuse, medium-sized cells of the B cell type. Several examinations revealed no apparent additional involvement. Chemotherapy was initiated with cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine and prednisolone (VEPA). One year and 10 months later, contralateral right scrotal swelling with swelling of the right inguinal lymph node occurred. Histopathological findings were similar to those of the resected left testis. We discussed malignant lymphoma of the testis, especially bilateral cases.

Aged↗

[Experimental hydrocephalus induced by intraplacental mumps virus inoculation].

Experimental production of congenital hydrocephalus was undertaken by inoculating mumps virus into pregnant hamsters intravenously or intraplacentally. When the mumps virus was inoculated intravenously on the 8th, 10th, 12th, or 14th day of gestation, some fetuses were aborted and those which could come to term did not develop hydrocephalus after birth. Offsprings from the mothers, which had had intraplacental inoculation on the 14th day of gestation, showed ventricular dilatation in about 28%. Histological examination revealed inflammatory infiltration on the surface of ependymal layers, subependymal edema and microglial activation in the underlying ependyma of the aqueduct. These findings were thought to have resulted from ependymitis caused by mumps virus. The transplacental infection of mumps virus is considered to be extremely rare. However, in such conditions as the placental barrier is impaired, mumps virus will possibly pass through the placenta, and will cause hydrocephalus to the infant.

Animals↗

Cell-permeant Ca2+ chelators reduce early excitotoxic and ischemic neuronal injury in vitro and in vivo.

We report the characterization of the first successful treatment of neuronal ischemic injury in vivo by cell-permeant Ca2+ chelators. The chelators attenuated glutamate-induced intracellular Ca2+ increases and neurotoxicity in neuronal explant cultures. When infused intravenously in rats, permeant fluorescent BAPTA analogs accumulated in neurons in several brain regions. BAPTA-AM, infused in vivo, reduced Ca(2+)-dependent spike frequency adaptation and post-spike train hyperpolarizations in CA1 neurons taken from treated animals. This effect was reproduced by direct injections of BAPTA into untreated neurons. The effects of three different chelators (BAPTA, 5,5'-difluoro BAPTA, and 4,4'-difluoro BAPTA) on Ca(2+)-dependent membrane excitability varied with their Ca2+ affinity. When the chelators' permeant forms were used to treat rats prior to the induction of focal cortical ischemia, they were highly neuroprotective, as gauged by significant reductions in cortical infarction volumes and neuronal sparing. The chelators' protective effects in vivo also reflected their affinity for Ca2+. This report provides the most direct evidence to date that intracellular Ca2+ excess triggers early neurodegeneration in vivo and contributes a novel therapeutic approach to neuronal ischemia of potential clinical utility.

Animals↗

Pulse methylprednisolone therapy in the treatment of Wegener's granulomatosis.

Five patients with Wegener's granulomatosis were treated with high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone (MTP) pulse therapy. Three out of five patients received MTP pulse therapy as the initial treatment and remission was achieved. Renal biopsy after the treatment confirmed the improvement of kidney involvement in 2 cases. Although the other two patients received MTP pulse therapy when a relapse occurred, the therapy could not suppress the progression of the disease. These observations suggest that MTP pulse therapy when given early may make it possible to suppress the progression of kidney involvement and improve the prognosis of the disease. Furthermore, it may also decrease the total doses of oral steroids and cyclophosphamide because of a strong anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive action and consequently diminish the side effects. In conclusion MTP pulse therapy as the initial treatment may be beneficial in treating patients with Wegener's granulomatosis.

Adult↗