Biomedical subjects

R Nakamura

Publications and source records attributed to R Nakamura.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

PubMed1990

Congenital hand anomalies in Japan: a family study.

During the 20-year period from 1968 to 1987, 1024 patients with congenital anomalies of the hand from 1000 Japanese families were examined in our clinic. Of these patients, 204 had relatives with limb anomalies. While postaxial polydactyly showed a 33% level of familial recurrence, symphalangism and Kirner's syndrome showed about 23% recurrence, syndactyly 18%, radioulnar synostosis 9%, radial ray deficiency 8%, cleft hand 7%, and duplicated thumb 5%. None of the relatives had ulnar deficiency or symbrachydactyly.

Hand Deformities, Congenital↗

PubMed1990

Three cases of syndactyly, polydactyly, and hypoplastic triphalangeal thumb: (Haas's malformation).

Three cases of a complex malformation of the hand involving syndactyly, polydactyly, and hypoplastic triphalangeal thumb are presented. In all three patients, six metacarpal bones and hypoplasticity of the thenar muscles were present. In one patient, both hands, except the most radial digits of the left hand, were completely fused by soft webs as reported by Haas and Ofodile. In two other patients, the extent of the webs differed from Haas's case, but one of them was similar to Ofodile's first case. In all instances the supernumerary digit had a triphalangeal configuration and the thenar muscles were hypoplastic, often associated with some degree of webbing.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Congenital onychodysplasia of the index fingers.

Twenty-two fingers of 13 patients had dysplastic nails. Four types of congenital onychodysplasia of the index fingers such as anonychia, rudimentary, split rudimentary (polyonychia), and micronychia were found in five, three, eight, and six fingers, respectively. Narrowing at the distal end of the affected distal phalanx (lack of the cresent-shaped cap), and a Y-shaped bony projection were characteristic features seen on x-ray films. There were no associated ectodermal abnormalities. Syndactyly was a relatively common associated hand anomaly. Some cases of congenital onychodysplasia of the index fingers were inherited. These findings suggest that impediments to the membranous ossification center can lead to a dysplastic crescent-shaped cap with nail anomalies.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Ketamine sedation for pediatric procedures: Part 1, A prospective series.

Emergency physicians frequently perform painful but necessary procedures on frightened children. We conducted a prospective, uncontrolled clinical trial of ketamine sedation (4 mg/kg IM) to facilitate a variety of procedures in 108 children aged 14 months to 13 years. Acceptable conditions were achieved with a single injection in 97% of the patients, and adjunctive restraint or local anesthesia was not required in 86%. Full sedation was produced within five minutes in 83%. Mean duration from injection to dischargeable recovery was 82 minutes (range, 30 to 175 minutes). One 18-month-old child vomited shortly after injection and experienced transient laryngospasm with cyanosis; intubation was not required, and there were no adverse sequelae. Airway patency and independent respirations were fully maintained in all other patients; no hemodynamic instability occurred at any time. There were no other clinically significant complications. Emesis well into the recovery phase was noted in 6% of the patients. Nightmares were not observed. Response from parents and physicians was strongly positive. Ketamine can be effectively used by emergency physicians to facilitate procedural sedation, yet equipment and expertise for advanced airway management are mandatory due to the rare occurrence of laryngospasm.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Immunological reactivity and passive protective activity of monoclonal antibodies against protective antigen (PAg) of Leptospira interrogans serovar lai.

Monoclonal antibody (MAb) AG1 against the protective antigen (PAg) was produced and characterized. It had been extracted from Leptospira interrogans serovar lai by the chloroform-methanol-water method and was of glycolipid nature (23-30Kd). The fact that the PAg was a serogroup-specific antigen was shown by MAb AG1, because MAb AG1 agglutinated serovars of serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae. Purified MAb LW2 and LW3 which are agglutinating antibodies of serovar lai and AG1 passively protected hamsters from leptospiral infection. Induction of the reactive oxygen intermediates by MAbs from peritoneal exudate macrophages of mice were observed in the chemical luminescence assay and the MAbs reacted with the PAg in the dot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. However, MAb LW4a against the genus-specific antigen present in the sub-surface of leptospiral cells did not show protective and reactive-oxygen-inducing activities; they reacted with the non-protective glycolipid antigen of low molecular weight (Fr I, 10-15Kd) in the dot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. These results indicated that anti-PAg antibody exhibited opsonic activity against Leptospira and the production of reactive oxygens by macrophages led to leptospiricidal action as one of the defence mechanisms of the host against leptospiral infection. However, the antibody against the genus-specific glycolipid antigen may not be important for protection against leptospiral infection.

Agglutination Tests↗

PubMed1990

Biological activities and endotoxic activities of protective antigens (PAgs) of Leptospira interrogans.

The biological and endotoxic activities of protective antigens (PAgs) prepared by the chloroform-methanol-water method from Leptospira interrogans serovars lai, copenhageni and canicola were examined. The PAg preparations did not show a local Shwartzman reaction in the rabbits at doses of 100 micrograms and 50 micrograms/site and lethal toxicity to galactosamine-sensitized mice at the dose of 12.5 micrograms to 50 micrograms/mouse. PAgs exhibited a weak cytotoxic action on peritoneal exudate macrophages of C3H/HeJ and C3H/HeN mice at the dose of 500 micrograms/ml in vitro, but did not show cytotoxicity for BHK-21 cells kidney cells of the Syrian hamster, CHO-K1, ovary cells of the Chinese hamster, and CHL, lung cells of the Chinese hamster, at doses of 5 and 500 micrograms/ml. Gelation activity in the Limulus test was only observed at PAg concentrations over 100 ng/ml, which dose was 10,000 times that of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Escherichia coli O55:B5. Furthermore, an adjuvant activity of PAgs was not observed in the production of anti-sheep red blood cell antibody in mice. Mitotic conversion of spleen cells from C3H/HeJ and C3H/HeN mice was observed by the addition of PAgs in vitro. These results indicated that the biological properties of PAgs were different from those of LPS prepared from gram-negative enterobacteria, that PAgs had no endotoxic activity and that the biological safety of PAgs as vaccine was proved.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Upper GI bleeding in an urban hospital. Etiology, recurrence, and prognosis.

Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) continues to be a common cause of hospital admission and morbidity and mortality. This study reviews 469 patients admitted to a surgical service of an urban hospital. There were 562 total admissions because 53 patients were readmitted 93 times (recurrence rate, 20%). The most common causes of bleeding, all endoscopically diagnosed, included acute gastric mucosal lesion (AGML) (135 patients, 24%), esophageal varices (EV) (121 patients, 22%), gastric ulcer (108 patients, 19%), duodenal ulcer (78 patients, 14%), Mallory-Weiss tear (61 patients, 11%), and esophagitis (15 patients, 3%). Nonoperative therapy was sufficient in 504 cases (89.5%). Endoscopic treatment was used in 144 cases. Operations were performed in 58 cases (10.5%), including 29% of ulcers. Emergency operations to control hemorrhage were required in only 2.5% of all cases. The rate of major surgical complications was 11% and the mortality rate was 5.2%. There were 58 deaths (12.6%), with 36 deaths directly attributable to UGIB. Factors correlating with death include shock at admission (systolic blood pressure less than 80), transfusion requirement of more than five units, and presence of EV (all p less than 0.001). Most cases of UGIB can be treated without operation, including endoscopic treatment, when diagnostic endoscopy establishes the source. Subsequent operation in selected patients can be done with low morbidity and mortality rates.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Protective activity of glycolipid antigen against infection by Leptospira interrogans serovar canicola.

A protective glycolipid antigen (PAg) was extracted from Leptospira interrogans serovar canicola with chloroform/methanol/water (1:2:0.8, by vol.) and partially purified by silica gel column chromatography. The PAg elicited a protective response in hamsters and in cyclophosphamide-treated mice subsequently challenged with homologous Leptospira. The PAg band was detected as a single smear-like band, corresponding to a protein of 23-30 kDa, by silver-staining in SDS-PAGE. In immunoblots, this band reacted with a monoclonal antibody, A5, which agglutinated serovar canicola and recognized a serovar-specific antigen. Furthermore, the PAg did not migrate on silica gel TLC, but was detected at the origin as a ninhydrin- and naphthol-positive spot. This suggests that PAg is a hydrophilic molecule with a carbohydrate chain that contains amino groups, possibly as amino sugars.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Black-pigmented, asaccharolytic Bacteroides species resembling Porphyromonas gingivalis (Bacteroides gingivalis) from beagle dogs.

Black-pigmented, asaccharolytic Bacteroides strains, which positively reacted with anti-Bacteroides gingivalis (now reclassified as Porphyromonas gingivalis) serum, were isolated from beagle dogs, and their characteristics were studied and compared with those of P. gingivalis. The strains from dogs were different from P. gingivalis in their catalase activity, nutritional requirements and oxygen tolerance, and double-immunodiffusion tests showed serological dissimilarity between the strains from dogs and P. gingivalis. However, the strains from dogs had guanine-plus-cytosine contents of 49.0 to 49.3 mol %, which were very similar to P. gingivalis, and they showed strong DNA-DNA hybridization with P. gingivalis. These results indicated that beagle dogs had Porphyromonas species analogous to P. gingivalis in their oral cavities.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Heat stability of protective antigen of Leptospira interrogans serovar lai.

Protective antigen (PAg; glycolipid antigen; molecular size, 23 to 30 kilodaltons), the serogroup-specific antigen partially purified from leptospiral cells, is one of the most important protective antigens. The heat stability of PAg was compared with that of whole-cell (WC) antigen by using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, immunoblotting, protective activity, opsonin-inducing activity, agglutinating antibody-inducing activity, and an inhibition test in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A band of 23 to 30 kilodaltons of PAg, which was seen in untreated PAg and WC, shifted to a position with a molecular size of ca. 20 kilodaltons after heat treatment of PAg at 80 degrees C for 30 min and WC at 100 degrees C for 30 min. In the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay inhibition test with monoclonal antibody LW2 and a sonicated antigen of WC, the inhibition rate of PAg and WC to sonicated WC was reduced by heat treatment at 80 degrees C for 30 min and at 100 degrees C for 30 min, respectively. Agglutinating antibody-inducing activities and opsonin-inducing activities of PAg and WC in mice were reduced by heat treatment under the same conditions; these activities were assayed by a microscopic agglutination test and by chemical luminescence response in serum from immunized mice, respectively. Protective activity of heated PAg and heated WC in cyclophosphamide-pretreated mice agreed with the results of immunogenicity in mice. These results indicate that the Leptospira PAg is one of the important protective antigens and is altered by heat treatment at 80 degrees C. Furthermore, the immunogenicity and antigenicity of the PAg present in WC are more stable than that of the extracted PAg, and the coexistence of other cellular components with PAg might protect and stabilize PAg from the heat treatment.

Agglutination Tests↗

PubMed1990

Lipid and apolipoprotein compositions of two species of ApoA-I containing lipoproteins in young girls with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Two species of lipoproteins containing apoA-I (A-ILp), lipoprotein containing apoA-I and apoA-II (LpA-I/A-II), and lipoprotein containing apoA-I but no apoA-II were isolated from 12 girls with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and from 19 healthy controls using affinity chromatography. When characterizing the lipid and apolipoprotein compositions, we noted compositional changes. In A-ILp, the levels of lipid, except for triglyceride, and the level of apoC-III were significantly higher in IDDM. In LpA-I/A-II, the levels of lipids, except for triglyceride, the levels of apoC-III, and the ratio of apoA-I to apoA-II were significantly higher in IDDM. In lipoprotein containing apoA-I but no apoA-II, the levels of all lipids and apolipoproteins in IDDM were similar to those in the controls. The percent phospholipid in A-ILp and LpA-I/A-II was significantly higher in IDDM. All of these changes of A-ILp are similar to those associated with the reduced risk in the nondiabetic population. However, apolipoprotein changes of LpA-I/A-II may possibly be related to the accelerated atherosclerotic processes noted in patients with IDDM.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on motor performance of hemiparetic stroke patients.

The maximum walking speed, the stability of standing balance, and isokinetic strength for knee extension on the both sides were examined in 7 hemiparetic stroke patients before and 10-20 min after intravenous administration of 2-mg TRH. The maximum walking speed, the stability of standing balance and the strength of the affected side increased significantly with TRH but the strength of the non-affected side did not change. It seems that TRH enables functionally depressed areas to resume activity.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Determinants of maximum walking speed in hemiparetic stroke patients.

The time necessary to walk 10 m with the fastest speed, the sway path of the center of feet pressure in station, and the isokinetic strength for knee extension of each side were examined in 29 hemiparetic stroke patients. The maximum walking speed of the patients was related to the sway path and the isokinetic muscle strength of affected side. The patients could be divided into two groups based on their sway path. The determinants of the maximum walking speed in the unstable group were the sway path and the isokinetic muscle strength of the both sides, whereas that in the stable group was only the isokinetic muscle strength of affected side.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Enhancing effect of malondialdehyde modification on the mouse IgE response to protein antigens.

To investigate the immunochemical properties of proteins reacted with malondialdehyde (MDA), which is a major degradation product of lipid oxidation, the antibody responses of mice immunized with MDA-modified bovine serum albumin (BSA) were examined. The specific IgE response to MDA-BSA was 4 to 8 times higher than that to native BSA, suggesting that the specific IgE antibody response to MDA-modified protein was enhanced by MDA bound to the surface of the protein. The antibodies to MDA-BSA did not distinguish the modified protein from the native one, and the antibodies raised against the modified proteins were not specific for the MDA portion but were for the carrier proteins.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

[Effect of peripheral pancreatic duct obstruction on the progression of chronic pancreatitis].

Experimental chronic pancreatitis model were made in five dogs with chronic pancreatic fistula by injection of microspheres into peripheral pancreatic duct. Sequential changes of pancreatic exocrine and endocrine functions also with morphology were studied. Significant decrease of volume, bicarbonate output, and amylase output of pure pancreatic juice (PPJ) separately collected with stimulation of secretin were detected. While, viscosity of PPJ was significantly increased with concomitant increase of hexosamine concentration. Chronic pancreatitis was demonstrated morphologically also. These results suggest that concentrated PPJ caused by decrease in volume in PPJ and increase in viscosity of PPJ with concomitant increase in hexosamine concentration bring about the progression of chronic pancreatitis in this experimental model.

Amylases↗

PubMed1990

[67Ga-citrate scintigraphy in patients with fever of unknown origin].

67Ga scintigraphy was performed in 49 patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO). Positive findings were observed in 25 patients out of 49 (51%). Occult focal lesions were demonstrated in 4 patients and useful information for the diagnosis was provided in 4 patients. In short, the examination showed diagnostic usefulness in 8 (32%) out of positive cases. 67Ga scintigraphy may be recommended as a further examination for patients with strongly suspected focal lesion in FUO.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Effect of transpupillary argon laser cyclophotocoagulation on anterior chamber oxygen tension in rabbit eyes.

We measured anterior chamber O2 tension and intraocular pressure (IOP) in normal, untreated controls and in rabbits treated with transpupillary argon laser cyclophotocoagulation. Normal anterior chamber O2 tension was 35 +/- 6 mmHg in room air and increased slowly when the rabbits breathed 100% O2. Between 3 days and 6 weeks after cyclophotocoagulation, O2 tension dropped 54%. Between 12 and 19 weeks after cyclophotocoagulation, changes in O2 tension were not statistically significant compared with the control. Normal IOP was 12 +/- 1 mmHg. Between 3 days and 6 weeks after cyclophotocoagulation, changes in the IOP were not statistically significant compared with the control. Light microscopy showed laser damage to the capillaries in the ciliary body as well as to the ciliary epithelium, particularly between 3 days and 6 weeks after treatment. We conclude that anterior chamber O2 tension under normal conditions reflects at least uveal vascular delivery of O2 and that cyclophotocoagulation, by destroying the ciliary epithelium-capillary complex, causes a decrease of oxygenation of the aqueous humor in the anterior chamber.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Time-course of force production by fast isometric contraction of the knee extensor in young and elderly subjects.

Rapid force production by isometric contraction of the knee extensor was examined in a wide range of force output for 12 healthy elderly (65-86 years) and 12 young (20-35 years) subjects. Time-course of tension development and duration of first burst EMG activities (AG-1) of the vastus medialis muscle were compared between both groups. Significant increase in the elderly as compared with the young was found in duration from the onset of the EMG to the rise of tension (TLT), but not in time from the rise to peak of force (FTmax), although FTmax tended to be longer in the elderly than the young at three different levels of force output. AG-1 duration was also prolonged in the elderly but the difference was not significant. The prolongation of TLT in the elderly suggests that spatio-temporal recruitments of the motor units and/or the percentage of fast twitch fibers decreases with aging.

Adult↗