Five patients were admitted to our hospital because of classical heat stroke during the heat waves which attacked our country in the summers 1994 and 1995. The clinical and laboratory findings of all patients suggested the rapid progress of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Blood purification (BP) therapy, in addition to conventional treatment, was performed in three of the patients. Despite their disastrous general condition, all completely recovered or recovered sufficiently to be transferred to a rehabilitation hospital. Two additional patients were treated with conventional treatment only and both died in 1-3 days after admission. Clinical characteristics and laboratory findings on admission showed no differences between the cases receiving BP therapy and those not receiving BP therapy. These findings suggest that, in heat stroke patients, additional BP therapy may provide a better prognosis than conventional therapy only. These beneficial effects of BP may have been due mainly to the removal of proinflammatory cytokines related to heat stroke.

APACHE↗

PubMed1999

SEM study on the dorsal lingual surface of the flying squirrel, Petaurista leucogenys.

The dorsal lingual surface of the flying squirrel was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Filiform (FI), fungiform (FU), foliate (FO) and vallate papillae (VA) were observed. The FI were distributed over the entire dorsal surface of the tongue. In the region of the VA, the FI appeared as giant cones. The FU were present as rounded bodies scattered over the dorsal surface of the tongue. They were relatively scarce and appear to be concentrated around the edges of the tongue. The FO were observed on the posterolateral regions of the tongue. The flying squirrel showed the triangular arrangement of the three VA, with the apex of the triangle directed posteriorly.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Effects of long-term treatment with ethanol on the ultrastructure of the golden hamster parathyroid gland.

The ultrastructure of the parathyroid gland in golden hamsters after long-term treatment with ethanol was studied. Male hamsters of experimental groups were given ethanol at the concentration of 7% for 3 and 5 months with food and water freely available. In the ethanol-treated hamsters, the Golgi complexes associated with many prosecretory granules were well developed and many secretory granules were located near the plasma membrane as compared with those of the control animals. Exocytotic events were observed in 5-month-treated animals. These findings suggest that the secretory activity of the parathyroid gland is stimulated after long-term treatment with ethanol.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Electron microscopic study of the parathyroid gland of Rattus rattus.

The ultrastructure of the parathyroid glands of Rattus rattus was investigated. In the chief cells, the nucleus showed deep indentations, and lysosomal inclusions and rod-shaped crystalloids were present. Their ultrastructure is described, and the role of the lysosomal inclusions is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

SEM study on the dorsal lingual surface of Microtus montebelli.

The dorsal lingual surface of Microtus montebelli was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The filiform papillae were distributed over the entire dorsal surface of the tongue. The filiform papillae notably differed in morphology by their location on the tongue and could be classified into 4 types: 1) simple conical papillae, 2) true filiform papillae, 3) giant conical papillae, and 4) saw-like papillae. The fugiform papillae were present rounded bodies scattered over the anterior dorsal surface of the tongue. A vallate papilla was located at the middle end of the lingual body. The surface of the radix zone was smooth and without lingual papillae.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Macrophages in the hamster parathyroid gland: immunohistochemical and ultrastructural investigations.

The distribution and morphology of the parathyroid macrophages in golden hamsters from neonatal to senile periods were investigated using the monoclonal antibody to ED2 and electron microscopy. The results showed that definite ED2-positive cells were hardly detectable in the parathyroid gland of 1-day-old hamsters. A few ED2-positive cells could be identified in the parathyroid gland of 10-day-old hamsters. The ED2-positive cells were more densely and became conspicuous in 1-, 3-, and 12-month-old hamsters. The number of the cells seems to be increased with aging. Ultrastructurally, we did not find any macrophages in parathyroid glands of 1-day-old hamsters. In the 10-day-old hamster parathyroid gland, a few macrophages existed only in the interstitial tissues. In the parathyroid gland of 1-, 3-, and 12-month-old hamsters, many macrophages were found in the perivascular regions, some cells located among the parenchymal chief cells with no obvious vascular association. These cells showed some physical contacts with chief cells. These results suggest that the parathyroid macrophages exhibit dramatical changes in their distribution and morphology from neonatal to senile periods.

Aging↗

PubMed1999

Morphology of the dorsal lingual papillae in the blackbuck, Antilope cervicapra.

The dorsal lingual surface of a blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The tongue was about 125 mm in length. There were about 30 vallate papillae on both sides. Filiform, conical, fungiform and vallate papillae were found. The filiform papillae were distributed over the entire dorsal surface of the tongue, excepted for the lingual torus where conical papillae were present. The fugiform papillae were present rounded bodies, and more densely distributed on the tip and ventral surface of ligual apex. No foliate papillae were seen on the dorsal surface. The vallate papillae were located on both sides of the midline in the caudal part. Each papilla was surrounded by a groove. These findings indicate that the tongue of the blackbuck is similar to that of the formosan and japanese serow.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

[An analysis of questionnaires about geriatric medicine/medical education sent to members of the Japanese Society of General Medicine].

Geriatric medical care can be viewed as general medical care for the elderly. We conducted a survey of members of the Japanese Society of General Medicine who belong to a university hospital, on their views of geriatric medicine/medical education. The questionnaires consisted of six categories of items about: (1) the physician's career; (2) whether the physician performs geriatric research in his/her laboratory; (3) whether the physician has an interest in geriatric medicine or medical education; (4) the physician's views on geriatric medicine or medical education; (5) of what pre- and post-graduate medical education on geriatric medicine should consist, from the physician's point of view: and (6) the physician's ideas about geriatric medicine/medical education in view of general medicine. Out of the 181 questionnaires sent, 96 (53%) people replied, of whom 51 (53.1%) were members of a Department of General Medicine, 57 (60%) were teaching staff, 46 (48.4%) had experience in home medical care such as home visits, and 17 (18.1%) belonged to the Japanese Society of Geriatric Medicine. Seventy-six respondents (85.4%) had an interest in geriatric medicine/medical education. Of the respondents, 96.8% recognized the need for pre- and post-graduate medical education concerning geriatrics. Some members of the Japanese Society of General Medicine who answered the questionnaire see geriatric medicine as entirely general medicine, and also that geriatric medicine is important, necessary and special. In addition, they see that the field of geriatric medicine is not yet developed in regard to geriatric medical care and education. Most respondents could not specify which section in a medical university is responsible for teaching the fields of basic and social medicine. This result shows that it may be difficult to incorporate pre-graduate geriatric medical education into the curriculum. As part of the pre-graduate curriculum of medical education on geriatrics, a practical exercise such as inspection of a geriatric hospital and geriatric home was considered most desirable by the respondents. Out of nine items, the top three most important aspects of post-graduate medical education on geriatrics for clinical and social medicine, were (1) studying the medical care and welfare of the elderly, (2) assessing the impaired life function of the elderly, and (3) studying pharmaco- therapy. Out of 6 items, the top three most important aspects of a practical exercise in post-graduate medical education in geriatrics were (1) providing general care to the elderly, (2) giving rehabilitation guidance and (3) providing psychological support for the elderly. Furthermore, 20 of the respondents (22.5%) have performed geriatric medical research on either the activities of daily life of the elderly or living wills, both of which seem to reflect the health and life of elderly people.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed1998

XAFS in the high-energy region.

XAFS (X-ray absorption fine-structure) spectra were measured near K-absorption edges of Ce (40.5 keV), Dy (53.8 keV), Ta (67.4 keV) and Pt (78.4 keV). The blunt K-edge jump due to the finite lifetime of the core hole was observed. This makes it difficult to extract EXAFS (extended X-ray absorption fine-structure) functions at low k values. Local structure parameters can be evaluated from the EXAFS spectra above K-absorption edges in the high-energy region as well as from those above L(III)-edges. It was found that the finite-lifetime effect of the core hole is effectively taken into the photoelectron mean-free-path term, as predicted theoretically.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1998

The parathyroid glands of two species of dolphin--Risso's dolphin, Grampus griseus, and bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus.

Although there have been many reports regarding the structure of the parathyroid glands of various terrestrial mammals, little is known about the parathyroid glands of marine mammals including Cetacea. The morphology of the parathyroid glands of three Risso's dolphins, Grampus griseus (about 3 m in length and 300 kg in weight), and three bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus (about 3 m in length and 300 kg in weight), was examined macroscopically and microscopically. The dolphins examined in the present study had two or four parathyroid glands that varied in size and location on the thyroid gland. Each parathyroid gland was encapsulated by fibrous tissue on the dorsal surface of the thyroid gland, and was divided into several lobules by interlobular connective tissue which contained numerous capillaries. The parenchymal cells consisted of pale staining chief cells. Each cell was polygonal and about 15 microm in diameter, and had one round or oval nucleus. Oxyphil cells were not found. Considering their greater body size, the parathyroid glands were rather small. By electron microscopic observation, the parathyroid gland of the bottlenose dolphin had sparse granular endoplasmic reticulum, poorly developed Golgi complexes, and abundant secretory granules in the cytoplasm of the chief cells. These results support a possibility that the activity of the parathyroid gland is suppressed to adapt to a sea habitat.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Treatment of MPS VII (Sly disease) by allogeneic BMT in a female with homozygous A619V mutation.

A 12-year-old girl with Sly disease (mucopolysaccharidosis VII; beta-glucuronidase deficiency), who is homozygous for the A619V mutation, had a successful allogeneic BMT, donored by an HLA-identical unrelated female to replace the deficient enzyme. Within 5 months after BMT, the enzyme activity of the recipient's lymphocytes increased to normal range. No signs of acute or chronic GVHD were observed. For the successive 31 months post-BMT, beta-glucuronidase activity in her lymphocytes was maintained at almost normal levels and excretion of glycosaminoglycans in the urine was greatly diminished. Ultrastructural findings demonstrated no abnormal vacuoles and inclusion bodies in the cytoplasm of her rectal mucosal cells. Coincident with the restoration of the enzyme activity, clinical improvement was dramatic. Especially notable were improvements in motor function. The patient was able to walk alone for a long time without aid, and she even became able to ride a bicycle and take a bath. In addition, recurrent infections of the upper respiratory tract and the middle ears decreased in frequency and severity, and dyspnea on exertion, severe snoring and vertigo have substantially improved. Thus, allogeneic BMT in this patient produced a better quality of life and provided a more promising outlook.

Bone Marrow Transplantation↗

PubMed1998

The antiatherogenic effect of nifedipine on intramural small coronary arterial lesions in cholesterol-fed rabbits.

The objective of this study was to examine the suppressive effect of nifedipine on intramural coronary arterial lesions in cholesterol-fed rabbits. Each rabbit in Groups A (n=6) and B (n=5) was fed a 0.3% cholesterol diet and was orally administered nifedipine (40 mg/day) or placebo. Each rabbit in Groups C (n=5) and D (n=6) was fed a 0.5% cholesterol diet and was orally administered nifedipine (40 mg/day) or placebo. The serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC) were determined at 1-week intervals to calculate the integrated values. The lesion induction ratio was defined as the ratio of intramural coronary arteries 50-150 microm in diameter with arterial lipoidosis to the total number of arteries of the same diameter. There were no significant differences between the nifedipine-treated and placebo groups in either the integrated TC or lesion induction ratio in either the 0.3% and 0.5% cholesterol-fed rabbits. This study demonstrates that nifedipine does not suppress atherogenesis in the intramural small coronary arteries of cholesterol-fed rabbits.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1998

Suppressive effect of simvastatin on intramural small coronary arterial lesions in cholesterol-fed rabbits.

The aim of this study was to examine the suppressive effect of simvastatin on intramural coronary arterial lesions in cholesterol-fed rabbits. In one experiment, six groups of rabbits were fed laboratory chow alone or with added 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.5% or 1.0% cholesterol for 16 weeks. In another experiment, four groups of rabbits were fed a 0.5% cholesterol diet and treated with simvastatin at 1, 3, or 5 mg/kg/day or placebo. In each rabbit, the levels of serum total cholesterol (TC) were determined at 1-week intervals to calculate the integrated values. The lesion induction ratio was defined as the ratio of intramural coronary arteries 50-150 microm in diameter with arterial lipoidosis to the total number of arteries of the same diameter. In the two experiments, there were positive correlations between the lesion induction ratio and integrated TC (r=0.785, P<0.0001 and r=0.763, P<0.0001, respectively). The slopes of the regression lines for integrated TC obtained in the two experiments were similar, but the lesion induction ratio in the simvastatin-treated group was always lower, by about 14%, in comparison with that in the non-simvastatin-treated group. These findings suggest that simvastatin induces lesion reduction not only by reducing the levels of circulating cholesterol but also by directly suppressing the development of lipoidosis.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Ultrastructure of the parathyroid gland of the young golden hamster after short-term treatment with ethanol.

We studied the ultrastructure of the parathyroid gland of young golden hamsters after short-term treatment with ethanol (1.5 g/kg bw or 6.0 g/kg bw). We did not find any ultrastructural changes of the parathyroid gland after administration of 1.5 g/kg ethanol. In the hamsters, 3 hours after administration of 6.0 g/kg ethanol, the mean serum calcium concentration was significantly low as compared to that of the control animals. In the parathyroid gland 1 hour after administration of 6.0 g/kg ethanol, the Golgi complexes associated with a few prosecretory granules and the volume density occupied by the Golgi complexes decreased compared with that of the control animals. In the parathyroid glands 3 hours after administration of 6.0 g/kg ethanol, the Golgi complexes decreased as compared with those of the control animals, while the large vacuolar bodies increased. These findings suggest that the cellular activity of the parathyroid gland is suppressed after short-term treatment with ethanol. Intracellular lumen was found in the parathyroid chief cells 3 hours after administration of 6.0 g/kg ethanol, and the significance of this structure is discussed.

Animals↗