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Biomedical subjects

S Kanazawa

Publications and source records attributed to S Kanazawa.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Hepatocellular carcinoma with or without cirrhosis: a comparison of CT and angiographic presentations in the United States and Japan.

We compared the computed tomographic (CT) and angiographic presentations of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with or without cirrhosis in the United States and Japan. Tumors in the United States were advanced and less frequently associated with liver cirrhosis (association of cirrhosis: United States 56.2%, Japan 91.0%. In patients with cirrhosis, the size of the tumor tended to be smaller, and nodular tumors (single or multiple) were frequent. In early stage of HCCs with cirrhosis, tumors were hypovascular without a capsule. In advanced stage, tumors were hypervascular and a capsule was frequently observed around the tumor both with CT and angiography. HCCs without cirrhosis were seen in younger patients. These tumors were large at the time of diagnosis. A massive or diffuse mass without a capsule was frequently seen. Most tumors were hypodense on precontrast CT and hypervascular on angiography. Lymph node enlargement was significantly frequent. The radiological characteristics of HCC in both countries were significantly different depending upon associated cirrhosis, as well as the time of the diagnosis.

Adult↗

Velocity profiles and phasic flow patterns in the non-stenotic human left anterior descending coronary artery during cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate the phasic characteristics of normal human left coronary artery flow and velocity profiles across the vessel. METHODS: The phasic characteristics of flow in the human left anterior descending coronary artery, the centreline flow velocities, and the velocity profiles were measured in 10 patients during corrective surgery for atrial septal defect after closure of the defect. None of these patients had any detectable coronary artery stenosis or left ventricular hypertrophy. Measurements were made with a 20 MHz 80 channel pulsed Doppler velocimeter. RESULTS: The velocity waveform displayed a diastolic-predominant pattern with a systolic to diastolic velocity ratio of 0.29(SD 0.17). Reverse flow was observed in early systole in five patients and in mid to late systole in six patients. The values of peak Reynolds number, unsteadiness parameter, and pulsatility index were 504(198), 2.5(0.6), and 5.9(4.4) respectively. The velocity profiles during diastole showed considerable variability in shape, ranging from symmetrical to skewed to M shaped patterns. The peak wall shear rate was 765(250) s-1 on the epicardial wall of the vessel and 712(301) s-1 on the myocardial wall; the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The velocity waveform displayed a diastolic-predominant pattern. Considerable variability in shape of the velocity profile was found and was perhaps due to the time evolution of the velocity profile within the diastolic time period.

Adolescent↗

[Hepatic arteriography under temporary hepatic venous occlusion].

Hepatic arteriography with and without temporary segmental hepatic vein occlusion was performed in 10 patients, five of whom had chronic liver injury. Hepatic arteriograms obtained during hepatic venous obstruction demonstrated significantly more peripheral and definite arterial branches in the occluded area and fewer peripheral branches in the non-occluded segment. A prolonged, dense hepatogram (sinusoidogram) showing hepatofugal opacification of the portal vein was obtained in the occluded area. Only one case with a large veno-venous anastomosis did not show these findings. Hepatic arteriograms in two cases with hepatocellular carcinoma provided clear visualization of peripheral portal branches that could act as efferent tumor vessels during regional temporary hepatic vein occlusion. Temporary hepatic venous occlusion may cause a sudden increase of hepatic arterial flow in the occluded area and transsinusoidal arterioportal communication there. This method can be useful for the diagnosis and arterial infusion or embolization therapy of hepatic diseases.

Adult↗

Parenchymal changes of the liver in cholangiocarcinoma: CT evaluation.

We evaluated parenchymal changes of the liver in 92 patients (41 peripheral types and 51 hilar types) with cholangiocarcinomas studied by bolus-enhanced computed tomography (CT). In 39% of patients with the peripheral type, a wedge-shaped increased enhancement of the liver was observed peripheral to the tumor on bolus-enhanced CT. Tumor was observed in all cases. In 58.8% of patients with the hilar type, a segmental or lobar increased degree of enhancement of the liver was observed, but the tumor was demonstrated in only 58.8%. Atrophy was accompanied by areas of increased enhancement in 80% of hilar type and 25% of peripheral type. Areas of increased degree of enhancement corresponded to a wedged-shaped perfusion defect on CT during arterial portography. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), those lesions showed hyperintensity on T2-weighted images. Most of these changes were considered to be due to reversible hepatic parenchymal ischemia secondary to portal vein invasion by the tumor.

Adenoma, Bile Duct↗

Left ventricular hypertrophy in a canine model of reversible pressure overload.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of therapy for left ventricular pressure overload should include regression of the associated left ventricular hypertrophy, but this process is incompletely understood. The aim of the study was to characterise the extent and time course of the progression and regression of pressure overload left ventricular hypertrophy in a canine hypertrophy model. METHODS: Six puppies were studied longitudinally with haemodynamic and echocardiographic measurements for 10 months. The study animals underwent ascending aortic banding at nine weeks of age which produced an initial gradient of 30 mm Hg. Subsequent growth led to an increase in gradient and the development of left ventricular hypertrophy. Then thoracotomy was again performed to remove the band. One month later, balloon aortoplasty was performed to remove the residual gradient. The animals were then observed for six months. RESULTS: Growth increased the gradient to 105(SEM 10) mm Hg three months after banding. The left ventricular weight to body weight ratio (g.kg-1), an index of hypertrophy, was 7.2(0.5) after three months of pressure overload. Subsequently the band was surgically removed, reducing the gradient to an average of 58(10) mm Hg. Balloon dilatation of the residual aortic stricture reduced the gradient further to 6(5) mm Hg. Over the ensuing six months, echocardiographic determination of left ventricular mass showed the regression in left ventricular hypertrophy. After six months, left ventricular weight to body weight ratio in the previously banded animals was significantly reduced from 7.2(0.5) to 5.3(0.2) (p less than 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The model produced over 100% left ventricular hypertrophy, most of which regressed following removal of the pressure overload.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

Coronary blood flow after the regression of pressure-overload left ventricular hypertrophy.

Abnormal coronary blood flow (CBF) in long-standing left ventricular (LV) pressure-overload hypertrophy has been associated with ischemia and LV dysfunction. Thus, goals of therapy in pressure overload are not only the relief of the overload itself but also regression in hypertrophy and subsequent improvement in CBF. However, little is known about CBF in humans or in large mammals after the relief of pressure overload, when the hypertrophy has regressed. This study was performed to test the hypothesis that, even 6 months after the relief of pressure overload in the dog, CBF would still be abnormal. Three groups of dogs were studied: 1) normal control dogs (NL group), 2) dogs with LV pressure-overload hypertrophy (LVH group), and 3) dogs that had developed LV pressure-overload hypertrophy but in whom the pressure overload was relieved 6 months before the final study (LVH Reg group). CBF was studied in conscious dogs by use of the radiolabeled microsphere technique at rest, during rapid atrial pacing, and during maximum coronary vasodilation produced by adenosine infusion. The ratio of LV weight (g) to body weight (kg) (LVBW) was 4.2 +/- 0.3 in the NL group, 7.1 +/- 0.6 in the LVH group, and 7.7 +/- 0.5 in the LVH Reg group before pressure-overload relief (p = NS, LVH versus LVH Reg). Six months after removal of the pressure overload, the LVBW in the LVH Reg group had fallen to 5.5 +/- 0.3 (p < 0.05), but this LVBW was still greater than that in the NL group (p < 0.05). During rapid atrial pacing, endocardial and epicardial CBF rose significantly in NL dogs. However, during rapid atrial pacing, endocardial CBF fell from 1.18 +/- 0.22 to 0.7 +/- 0.20 ml/min per gram in the LVH group (p < 0.05) and did not rise in the LVH Reg group. During adenosine infusion, endocardial blood flow increased in NL dogs from 1.63 +/- 0.13 to 4.0 +/- 0.3 ml/min per gram and increased to a similar level in the LVH Reg group. Although CBF increased during adenosine infusion in the LVH group, the increase was less than that in the NL or LVH Reg group (p < 0.05). Minimum coronary vascular resistance was similar in NL dogs (14 +/- 2 units) and LVH Reg dogs (18 +/- 3 units, p = NS) but was significantly elevated (32 +/- 10 units) in LVH dogs (p < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adenosine↗

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma. An evaluation of subtypes with CT and angiography.

Sixty-seven patients had hilar cholangiocarcinomas which were divided into 3 types based on tumor morphology as observed on cholangiography and CT. The pathology, vascularity, and pattern of tumor spread of these types were compared. Most of the infiltrative tumors (n = 44) were scirrhous adenocarcinomas, which on CT showed poor or no contrast enhancement with frequent lymph node metastases and liver atrophy. At angiography, there was vascular encasement in 52%, in rare cases neovascularity, and tumor stain. The exophytic type (n = 19) was divided into 2 subgroups depending on the main location of the tumor. The nodular subtype (n = 16) was mainly inside the liver and somewhat hypervascular similar to peripheral cholangiocarcinoma, often with intrahepatic metastases. The periductal subtype (n = 3) was hypovascular, similar to the infiltrative cholangiocarcinoma, and had a tendency to spread along the portal vein. The intraductal type (n = 4) was observed as a filling defect on cholangiography. CT revealed an intraluminal low density mass. Histologically, they were papillary adenocarcinomas. The radiologic types of hilar cholangiocarcinoma showed different characteristics with regard to pathologic findings, vascularity, and pattern of spread.

Adenoma, Bile Duct↗

Left ventricular mechanics and myocyte function after correction of experimental chronic mitral regurgitation by combined mitral valve replacement and preservation of the native mitral valve apparatus.

BACKGROUND: Contractile function improves after correction of experimental mitral regurgitation, but ejection performance becomes depressed when mitral valve replacement involves chordal transection. A role for chordal transection in producing the depressed ejection performance was suspected but uncertain. Therefore, in this study, we tested two specific hypotheses: 1) that contractile function would improve and, in conjunction with chordal preservation, would allow for preserved ejection performance and 2) that improved left ventricular contractile function after surgery would be reflected in the function of myocytes isolated from the affected left ventricles. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined ventricular contractile function and ejection performance and isolated myocyte function after correction of experimental mitral regurgitation (chordal rupture) with mitral valve replacement that involved chordal preservation. After 3 months of chronic mitral regurgitation, the average regurgitant fraction of seven dogs was 0.77 +/- 0.04. End-diastolic volume had increased from 79 +/- 5 to 132 +/- 10 cm3 (p < 0.05). At that time, all indexes of left ventricular contractile function were depressed. Three months after mitral valve replacement with chordal preservation, end-diastolic volume fell to 100 +/- 4 cm3 (p < 0.05). At this time, all indexes of contractile function had returned to normal. End-systolic stress and ejection fraction after mitral valve replacement were similar to their baseline levels. Viscosity-velocity curves (analogous to force-velocity curves) of myocytes isolated from the affected left ventricles were similar to those of myocytes isolated from normal left ventricles. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that mitral valve replacement with chordal preservation allows ventricular contractile function to return to normal. Normal global ventricular function, in turn, is associated with normal function of the individual myocytes that compose the left ventricular chamber. Further, chordal preservation allowed for loading and ejection performance to return to premorbid levels.

Animals↗

Coronary blood flow in dogs with contractile dysfunction due to experimental volume overload.

BACKGROUND: Abnormalities in coronary blood flow are responsible for stress-induced reductions in contractile function in pressure overload hypertrophy. Less is known about coronary blood flow in volume overload. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that coronary blood flow abnormalities were responsible for contractile abnormalities in experimental volume overload hypertrophy. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined coronary blood flow at rest and during pacing in seven dogs with contractile dysfunction secondary to chronic experimental mitral regurgitation (average regurgitant fraction at 3 months, 0.58 +/- 0.05). After 3 months of mitral regurgitation, left ventricular mass had increased from 92 +/- 8 g at baseline to 118 +/- 10 g (p less than 0.002). The slope of the end-ejection stress-volume relation, one of our indexes used to estimate contractile function, had fallen from 5.4 +/- 0.3 at baseline to 3.0 +/- 0.3 at 3 months of mitral regurgitation (p less than 0.001). In the mitral regurgitation dogs, coronary blood flow at rest was similar to that of control dogs (endocardial blood flow: control dogs, 1.33 +/- 0.12 ml/min/g; mitral regurgitation dogs, 1.16 ml/min/g, p = NS; epicardial blood flow at rest: control dogs, 1.30 +/- 0.16 ml/min/g; mitral regurgitation dogs 1.13 +/- 0.2 ml/min/g, p = NS). With pacing-induced stress, coronary blood flow increased appropriately in control and mitral regurgitation dogs. Ultrasonic dimension gauges placed in the endocardium and epicardium demonstrated no further deterioration in ventricular function during pacing in the mitral regurgitation dogs. In a separate group of five control dogs and five dogs with mitral regurgitation and left ventricular dysfunction, coronary blood flow was examined in the conscious closed-chest state at rest, during adenosine infusion, and during rapid atrial pacing (240 beats/min). Blood flow increased similarly in both groups during pacing and adenosine infusion. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that in dogs with mitral regurgitation that have developed contractile dysfunction, abnormalities in coronary blood flow do not explain the resting contractile dysfunction. Furthermore, studies during pacing-induced stress and coronary vasodilation with adenosine demonstrate that substantial coronary blood flow reserve is present in this type of volume overload hypertrophy.

Animals↗

Depressed contractile function due to canine mitral regurgitation improves after correction of the volume overload.

It is known that long-standing volume overload on the left ventricle due to mitral regurgitation eventually leads to contractile dysfunction. However, it is unknown whether or not correction of the volume overload can lead to recovery of contractility. In this study we tested the hypothesis that depressed contractile function due to volume overload in mitral regurgitation could return toward normal after mitral valve replacement. Using a canine model of mitral regurgitation which is known to produce contractile dysfunction, we examined contractile function longitudinally in seven dogs at baseline, after 3 mo of mitral regurgitation, 1 mo after mitral valve replacement, and 3 mo after mitral valve replacement. After 3 mo of mitral regurgitation (regurgitant fraction 0.62 +/- 0.04), end-diastolic volume had nearly doubled from 68 +/- 6.8 to 123 +/- 12.1 ml (P less than 0.05). All five indices of contractile function which we examined were depressed. For instance, maximum fiber elastance (EmaxF) obtained by assessment of time-varying elastance decreased from 5.95 +/- 0.71 to 2.25 +/- 0.18 (P less than 0.05). The end-systolic stiffness constant (k) was also depressed from 4.2 +/- 0.4 to 2.1 +/- 0.3. 3 mo after mitral valve replacement all indexes of contractile function had returned to or toward normal (e.g., EmaxF 3.65 +/- 0.21 and k 4.2 +/- 0.3). We conclude that previously depressed contractile function due to volume overload can improve after correction of the overload.

Animals↗

Myocardial stiffness derived from end-systolic wall stress and logarithm of reciprocal of wall thickness. Contractility index independent of ventricular size.

The slope of the end-systolic pressure-volume relation (ESPVR) is useful in assessing acute changes in contractile state. However, a limitation of ESPVR is that its slope decreases progressively as ventricular size increases without this change necessarily indicating a change in contractile state. In this respect, an index of contractile function that is independent of ventricular size would have an obvious advantage. The exponential constant (k) of the end-systolic relation between wall stress (sigma) and the natural logarithm of the reciprocal of wall thickness [ln(1/H)], sigma = Cekln(1/H), corresponds to the stiffness constant of the myocardium (kSM), a contractile index that should be independent of ventricular size and geometry. To examine the size independence of kSM, we studied left ventricular kSM during beta-blockade (to stabilize inotropic state) in 25 normal dogs with greatly differing ventricular sizes whose end-diastolic volumes ranged from 14 to 82 ml. The kSM was nearly constant (3.6 +/- 0.4) over this wide range of end-diastolic volumes and thus was independent of end-diastolic volume. Conversely, ESPVR, also obtained during beta-blockade, was closely and negatively correlated to end-diastolic volume (r = 0.92). To test the ability of kSM to measure changes in contractile state, we altered contractile state pharmacologically. The kSM increased from 3.7 +/- 0.5 to 4.8 +/- 0.8 (p less than 0.01) with infusion of dobutamine (after reversal of beta-blockade) and decreased to 3.1 +/- 0.3 (p less than 0.05) with inhalation of isoflurane, a negative inotrope, during beta-blockade (p less than 0.05). We conclude that kSM is independent of ventricular size and is sensitive to changes in inotropic state. As such, it should be useful as an index of contractile function.

Animals↗

[CT findings complicating percutaneous nephrostomy, lithotomy and lithotripsy].

Reviews of the CT scans of percutaneous nephrostomy, lithotomy and lithotripsy disclosed 14 out of 78 cases (17.9%) with evidence of complications. Renal and perirenal hematomas were detected in five cases and the other five cases showed collections of contrast material in the retroperitoneum except for the anterior pararenal space. CT demonstrated clearly the anatomic distribution and extent of renal hemorrhage and extravasation of contrast material. Three cases of pleural effusion on CT were accompanied by blood or contrast material collections in the posterior pararenal space. No patients required immediate surgery and CT findings helped the choice of conservative therapies.

Adult↗

Cobalamin-dependent replication of L1210 leukemia cells and effects of cobalamin analogues.

L1210 cell line cells were made deficient in Cbl by propagation in a medium devoid of CNCbl in which fetal calf serum had been replaced by bovine serum albumin. These Cbl-deficient cells gradually ceased to multiply when the medium contained 5-CH3THF, although cell growth was resumed following the addition of CNCbl, OHCbl or folic acid. The results of this study provide experimental proof for the 'methyl trap' hypothesis. In contrast to the above effect of CNCbl, cobinamide and Cbl analogues which were produced by a reaction of OHCbl with ascorbic acid did not have any growth-inducing effect on the cells which had been cultured in a 5-CH3THF-supplemented medium and had ceased to multiply. Nor did these analogues have an inhibitory effect on CNCbl-dependent growth.

Animals↗

Transformation suppressor genes.

Flat revertants with reduced malignancy in vivo can be isolated from Kirsten sarcoma virus-transformed NIH3T3 cells following transfection with a normal human fibroblast cDNA expression library. We have recovered from one such revertant a 1.8 kb cDNA clone, "Krev-1", that possesses revertant-inducing activity in transfection assay. The Krev-1 cDNA has the capacity to encode a protein with a calculated molecular weight of 21,000 having strong structural similarity to ras proteins (ca. 50% homology), especially in their GTP/GDP-binding, effector-binding and membrane attachment domains. Point-mutations of Krev-1 protein at the 12th and the 59th amino acid positions from the aminoterminus potentiated the transformation suppressor activity by 2-5 times, and point-mutations within the putative effector-binding domain and at the C-terminal acylation site reduced the activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Assessment of laboratory findings in megaloblastic anemia--measurement of serum vitamin B12 and methylmalonic acid].

The laboratory findings of 20 patients with untreated megaloblastic anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency were analysed. The material consists of 13 patients with pernicious anemia, 6 with postgastrectomy B12 deficiency and one with malabsorption syndrome. Hematological data (RBC, Hgb, Ht, WBC, Plt) were correlated with each other and serum LDH levels. Megaloblastic changes of bone marrow were apparent in cases of which Hgb values were below 9 g/dl, although its change were not clear in cases with mild anemia (above 9 g/dl). However, giant metamyelocytic changes of bone marrow were seen even in cases with mild anemia. Serum B12 levels in 6 out of 19 cases (31.6%) measured by clinical laboratory center were within normal range. In contrast, its level in all cases measured by radiodilution assay using R-protein or intrinsic factor were lower than normal values. Serum B12 levels measured by the latter method were correlated with various hematological data and also related with hematological severity, although its level measured by clinical laboratory did not have any correlation with hematological data. Schilling test seemed to be unreliable, because sample volume which was suggested by kit manual was too small (2 ml) to catch enough radioactivity for accurate measurement. Serum methylmalonic acid levels measured by gas capillary mass spectrophotometry were higher than normal values in all cases and were well correlated with hematological data.

Adult↗

[Two cases of miliary tuberculosis following prosthetic valve replacement].

Pyrexia which occurs at late stage after prosthetic heart valve replacement must be suspected to be caused by prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE). However, since confirmatory diagnosis is difficult, we are concerned about the treatment for so many cases. We encountered two cases who were suspected PVE at late stage after prosthetic aortic valve replacement and diagnosed miliary tuberculosis at autopsy. Here, we present a report of the two cases.

Aged↗

[Mandibular tumor with spicule formation in multiple myeloma].

A 40-year-old male complained of swelling of the right mandible. It was a hard bone tumor which was 70 x 50 x 45 mm in size without tenderness. In serum, the level of IgG was 5814 mg/dl, IgA 95 mg/dl and IgM 8 mg/dl with monoclonal increasing of gamma and lambda-chain. No Bence Jones protein was detected. In a bone marrow aspirate atypical plasma cells were 7.3% in nucleated cells in slightly hypocellular marrow. X-ray examination disclosed a spicule formation surrounding the osteolytic focus in the mandible. In addition, a osteolytic tumor without spicule formation was found in a rib. The histological examination of biopsy specimen obtained from the mandibular tumor revealed that atypical plasma cells infiltrated the fibrous tissue with new bone formation. Spicule formation in the bone lesion of multiple myeloma is unusual.

Adult↗