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Biomedical subjects

S Kikuchi

Publications and source records attributed to S Kikuchi.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Autoimmune enteropathy with severe atrophic gastritis and colitis in an adult: proposal of a generalized autoimmune disorder of the alimentary tract.

BACKGROUND: We describe the case of an adult with autoimmune enteropathy consistent with both severe atrophic gastritis accompanying antral stenosis and colitis. METHODS AND RESULTS: The patient, positive for anti-intrinsic factor antibody, had intractable diarrhea and protein-losing enteropathy. In the ileum inflammatory cells were observed infiltrating the lamina propria along with villus atrophy, and similar inflammation was also found in the lamina propria of the colon and stomach, with complete loss of specialized glands. The myenteric ganglion cells of the hypertrophied muscularis propria in the stenosed antrum showed degeneration with surrounding T-lymphocyte infiltration. There were more CD8+ than CD4 lymphocytes in the lamina propria of the stomach and colon. CONCLUSIONS: The CD8+ (suppressor-cytotoxic) T lymphocytes may have played an important role in the production of lesions in the stomach, small intestine, and colon, so we propose this case as an example of a generalized autoimmune disorder of the alimentary tract.

Autoimmune Diseases↗
PubMed1998

Effects of FK506 on experimental membranous glomerulonephritis induced by cationized bovine serum albumin in rats.

BACKGROUND: There have been no reports on the effect of FK5 06, a new immunosuppressive agent, on experimental membranous glomerulonephritis (MN) induced by an exogenous antigen. Therefore we investigated the effects of FK506 on MN induced by cationized bovine serum albumin (C-BSA) in rats. METHODS: Two weeks after the rats were immunized with 1 mg of C-BSA and Freund's complete adjuvant, they received intravenous injections of 3 mg/kg of C-BSA 3 times weekly for 4 weeks. Rats were divided into four groups: group A (n = 5) received intramuscular injections of 3 mg/kg of FK506 daily for 5 days beginning 2 days before the first immunization; group B (n =4) received 1 mg/kg of FK506 daily for 2 weeks beginning 2 weeks after the first immunization; and group C (n =4) received 1 mg/kg of FK506 daily for 2 weeks beginning 4 weeks after the first immunization. Group D (n = 5) received no FK506 and served as the control group. Rats were sacrificed 8 weeks after the first immunization. RESULTS: Administration of FK506 in the preimmunization stage almost completely suppressed the development of MN in group A. Histological findings in groups B and C were similar to those in group D, the control group. However, urinary protein excretion was significantly lower in group B (24+/-46 mg/day) and C (220+/-44 mg/day) than in group D (330+/-61 mg/day). Expression of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 in glomeruli and the number of leukocyte functioning-associated molecules-1 were significantly decreased in groups A, B, and C compared with the control group. Administration of FK506 was not associated with any significant side-effects or histological abnormalities. The whole-blood trough levels of FK506 in groups B and C were 9.1 ng/ml and 9.2 ng/ml respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of FK506 was significantly increased when the drug was administered in the early phase of immunization in this model. The present study suggests that FK506 may be useful in patients with intractable nephrotic syndrome such as MN.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Increases in body mass index and waist circumference as outcomes of working overtime.

This epidemiologic study was undertaken to determine whether working overtime is associated with anthropometric indices and serum lipids, risk factors for obesity, in white-collar workers. Non-management white-collar male workers were eligible. Body weight and height, waist circumference, skinfold thickness, serum total cholesterol and triglycerides were measured. Weight, height and waist circumference data obtained 3 years previously were also used. Lifestyle information was obtained by means of a self-administered questionnaire. Overtime hours correlated significantly with the 3-year change in body mass index (r = 0.206, p < 0.0017) and waist circumference (r = 0.218, p = 0.0091), but not with either the most recent anthropometric indices or serum lipids. Overtime hours were also intercorrelated (r = 0.436, p < 0.0001) with dinner time. The present study suggested that working overtime is associated with the increases in BMI and waist circumference over a 3-year period although the associations were weak. Additionally, eating habits of those with working overtime might reflect an intervening effect on the anthropometric changes.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Helicobacter pylori risk associated with sibship size and family history of gastric diseases in Japanese adults.

Helicobacter pylori is thought to be a cause of gastric cancer. Risk factors of H. pylori positivity were investigated among 4,361 public service workers in Japan. Sera and information on family history and lifestyle were collected, and H. pylori antibody was measured using the sera. Sex- and age-adjusted odds ratios of factors expected to influence H. pylori seropositivity were calculated. The factors with a significant influence were included in a logistic regression model and the final model was obtained by backward elimination. Sibship size (4 and more vs. 1), smoking habit (current vs. never), and paternal and siblings' histories of gastric diseases showed significant relationships to H. pylori seropositivity, with odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 1.5 (1.0-2.1), 0.8 (0.7-0.9), 1.5 (1.3-1.8) and 1.7 (1.1-2.6) respectively. However, spouse's history was not related. In the final model, sibship size and paternal history remained as positive factors, and smoking as a negative one. Contradictory results on the relationship between H. pylori status and smoking among recent studies indicate the existence of hidden confounding factors. It is suggested that infection from family members in childhood considerably affects the H. pylori status of Japanese adults, whereas infection between adults is rare.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Right parasternal minithoracotomy for repair of atrial septal defect.

Various surgical approaches for repair of atrial septal defect (ASD) have recently been introduced for superior cosmetic and less invasive results. A technique for repair of isolated ASD through a small right parasternal minithoracotomy is described. In spite of the smaller incision, there is no need to use femoral cannulation or video-assisted endoscopy. This approach is simple, less invasive, and cosmetic. We believe that right parasternal minithoracotomy is a suitable alternative to a median sternotomy for ASD closure, especially in young male patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Photochemically induced endothelial injury in the mouse as a screening model for inhibitors of vascular intimal thickening.

We have established a mouse model of intimal thickening and assessed its suitability for experimental studies of intimal thickening. Neointimal formation was observed after endothelial injury by photochemical reaction between transluminal green light and systemically administered rose Bengal, which represents a nonmechanical approach to vessel wall denudation. Intimal thickening began 7 days after endothelial injury, reached a maximum after 21 days, and then remained unchanged for as long as 42 days. Furthermore, as a consequence of neointimal proliferation, the luminal area gradually decreased. The cells in the neointimal layer were identified as smooth muscle cells by immunohistochemical staining with an alpha-actin-specific antibody. Extracellular matrix deposition in the neointima was markedly increased beyond 14 days after injury. Smooth muscle cell proliferation, as measured by pulse labeling of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine, was identified initially in the media 2 days after vessel wall denudation, with the proliferative activity's shifting almost exclusively to the neointima within 7 days. Endothelial regeneration, as indicated by Evans blue staining, was complete within 21 days after injury. To assess the suitability of this model for experimental studies on intimal thickening, the effect of tranilast, an antiallergy drug with a broad spectrum of pharmacological actions on intimal thickening, was investigated. Tranilast (100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) p.o.) significantly (P<0.05) reduced smooth muscle cell proliferation in the neointima and media 7 days after injury and neointimal formation 21 days after injury in treated mice compared with vehicle-treated mice. This simple experimental mouse model is suitable for studying factors promoting or inhibiting intimal thickening after endothelial injury and for developing therapeutic strategies against intimal thickening.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Anatomic relations between ankle arthroscopic portal sites and the superficial peroneal and saphenous nerves.

Ankles from 100 cadavers were dissected to evaluate the risk of nerve injury from an arthroscopic procedure. A total of 65 cadavers (104 ankles) were examined to assess the course of the peroneal nerve, and 35 cadavers (77 ankles) were examined for the saphenous nerve (SN). In 82% of specimens, the superficial peroneal nerve ran between the lateral border of the talocrural joint and the peroneus tertius tendon at the talocrural joint level, where the anterolateral portal was placed. Therefore, the superficial peroneal nerve was at high risk for injury with anterolateral portal placement. At the anteromedial portal site, between the medial border of the talocrural joint and the tibialis anterior tendon, the SN coursed an average of 6 +/- 5 mm medial to the medial border of the talocrural joint. SNs in this area were all terminal branches; therefore, anteromedial portal placement avoids nerve injury.

Ankle↗
PubMed1998

Inhibitory effect of tranilast on hypertrophic collagen production in the spontaneously hypertensive rat heart.

Tranilast, N-(3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl) anthranilic acid, a widely used antiallergy drug in Japan, has been shown to inhibit transforming growth factor-beta1 release from fibroblasts and reduce collagen synthesis in keloid cells. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of this drug on cardiac hypertrophy in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), with a focus on the cardiac collagen matrix, which is associated with myocardial stiffness. Twenty-four-week-old SHRs and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKYs) were administered tranilast (300 mg/kg) orally once a day for 4 weeks. This treatment significantly suppressed increases in left ventricular collagen concentration (P < 0.05) and the left ventricular weight/body weights ratios (P < 0.05) in SHRs, and tranilast was ineffective on collagen concentration and ventricular weight/body weights ratios in WKYs. Tranilast did not affect systolic or diastolic blood pressure, end-diastolic left ventricular pressure and heart rate in both SHRs and WKYs, and the agent did not change positive dp/dt or cardiac output in SHRs. The pressure-volume relationship curve was shifted to the left by the drug; the slope (k) of the logarithm of the pressure-volume relationship curve was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in SHRs. It is concluded that the suppression of increases in cardiac collagen and left ventricular mass by tranilast results in a corresponding prevention of cardiac stiffness as studied in the SHR.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Parasites and related pathological lesions in the gastrointestinal tract of a seal (Phoka vitulina Linnaeus).

An immature seal, about one-year-old, died a natural death. At autopsy, a large number of Contracaecum osculatum and Pseudoterranova decipiens, as well as some of Anisakis simplex were found in the stomach together with numerous Corynosoma strumosum in the small intestine and colon. Histopathological examination revealed epithelial desquamation, congestion and hemorrhage in the mucosa. There were cellular infiltration and fibroplasia around the nematodes, collapsed nematodes and molted nematode cuticules in the stomach wall. The small intestine and colon underwent severe epithelial desquamation, catarrhal inflammation, and slight inflammatory response consisting mainly of lymhocytes. To the best of our knowledge, this may be the first report on Corynosoma strumosum in Japan.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Signet ring cell carcinoma of the stomach: a clinicopathological comparison with the other histological types.

A retrospective analysis was carried out on 93 patients with signet ring cell carcinoma of the stomach operated on between 1985 and 1995, to review the clinicopathologic characteristics from the database of gastric cancer at Sendai National Hospital. The results were compared with those for 590 patients with other types of gastric carcinoma. Women were afflicted as commonly as men in the signet ring cell carcinoma group. These patients tended to be younger and to have larger tumors. The histological type was commonly scirrhous and infiltrative. The survival of patients with signet ring cell carcinoma was worse than that of patients with other types of gastric cancer but the difference was not statistically significant. Patients with early signet ring cell carcinoma had a good prognosis, similar to that of the other groups. However, prognosis of patients with advanced signet ring cell carcinoma was poor compared with patients with other types of this disease. In multivariate analysis, the statistical significant prognostic factors were vascular microinvasion and tumor location. These findings suggest that signet ring cell carcinoma of the stomach should be regarded as a distinct type of gastric cancer.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed1998

Liver transferase activity in healthy Japanese employees aged 18-39 years.

The aims of the present study were to identify correlates of alanine aminotransferase (ALT or GPT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST or GOT) activities among a healthy working population aged 18-39, and to discuss liver transferase abnormalities. Subjects included 1,009 employees of a company in Fukushima, Japan. Pregnant women, employees exposed to organic solvents, and employees with a history of liver diseases were excluded. Serum ALT and AST levels were measured by an enzymatic method. Other information including BMI, job type and lifestyles was recorded. Mean ALT and AST levels were significantly higher for males than females (P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that sex and BMI explained 45% and 31% of the variability in ALT and AST, respectively. The prevalence of abnormal ALT levels (> 40 IU) was 16.3% for males and 0.4% for females. Sex, BMI, and shift work were independently associated with abnormal ALT levels by logistic regression analysis. It is concluded that ALT and AST levels are well-correlated with sex and BMI, and that abnormal liver transferase activity is prevalent in male employees but rare in females, suggesting that liver function tests should be introduced for male employees under 40 years of age.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Epidemiologic study of the relationship between schistosomiasis due to Schistosoma japonicum and liver cancer/cirrhosis.

In Yamanashi Prefecture, one of the former areas in Japan endemic for Schistosoma japonicum, there have been no cases of schistosomiasis since 1978. We attempted to find out in this study whether there was still a chronic effect of schistosomiasis, e.g., liver cancer or liver cirrhosis present in this region. The subjects studied were the population in Yamanashi Prefecture from 1973 through 1992. We divided the population into residents in an area endemic for schistosomiasis and those in a nonendemic area. We calculated the standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for liver cancer and liver cirrhosis in both areas. The schistosome egg-positive rate of liver cancer and liver cirrhosis specimens from the patients in these two endemic areas was also calculated. Male SMRs for liver cancer in the endemic area were 188.5% in 1985 and 188.0% in 1990. Even today, many years after the last case of schistosomiasis, schistosome eggs can be found in the livers of deceased liver cancer and cirrhosis patients. The chronic effect of S. japonicum could contribute to the current high mortality rate for liver cancer in the endemic area, although we need to consider the other etiologic factors of liver cancer, e.g., hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and alcohol intake.

Female↗
PubMed1998

Strength distribution in the tibia.

Stress fracture of a tibia is rarely associated with osteoarthros of the knee joint (gonarthrosis), whereas the present authors experienced a case of tibial stress fracture with high level lateral flail. To make an analysis with the statics of an elastic body, the shape of the tibia was read from a roentgenogram with a digitizer. The bend of a tibia was expressed with curvature (the reciprocal with curvature radius); fracture was expected to occur where the curvature was large. From the analysis, the fracture had occurred near one of the maximums of the curvature when the knee side was fixed and a force was applied to the ankle side --walking situation, e.g. The analysis also has indicated that the tibia would be very weak when the ankle side was fixed--skiing situation, e.g.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

[Ethical issues regarding individual data collection and utilization in community health care programs].

To understand the nature of ethical issues in community-based health care programs, we conducted a mail survey of subjects who were public health nurses employed by municipal governments. The questionnaire consisted of questions about data collection, usage, disclosure, and educational experience. In 1996 we received 536 completed questionnaires which were then analyzed. Regarding who should input data into computers, the number of those who considered that municipal offices other than public health nurses would be the most appropriate for the input of examination data was the largest, followed by those who felt that contracting out was best. Many of the public health nurses considered that they needed to obtain informed consent for collection, usage and disclosure of sensitive items, such as data on HIV infection. The number of those considering that they could not disclose results of examinations to other community-based specialists in health and welfare without the subject's agreement was very high. In health examination programs, the public health nurses requested information on date of birth and occupations, but there was some hesitation in requesting the latter information. Although about a half of subjects responded that they did not require data concerning the first sexual intercourse in cervical cancer screening, 90 percent asked breast feeding history in breast cancer screening. Approximately 90 percent gave results of the examination to participants personally through personal communication or mail. Of the respondents, 40 percent reported having had educational courses on ethics while the others did not. There were some responses that reminded us of the unsatisfactory level of understanding about ethical issues, which underlined the need to emphasize importance, of including this in educational curricula.

Community Health Services↗
PubMed1998

[A case of systemic AA amyloidosis complicating Crohn's disease].

Although systemic AA amyloidosis complicating Crohn's disease has been found in 0.5 to 6% in America and Europe, it is relatively rare in Japan. We report a case of systemic AA amyloidosis complicating Crohn's disease. In 1979, a 26-year-old Japanese man presented with diarrhea, melena and perianal abscesses, and was diagnosed as having Crohn's disease. He was treated with oral prednisolone, salazosulfapyridine and diet therapy. However, the gastrointestinal symptoms recurred and he was hospitalized several times. In 1991, his thyroid gland was found to be swollen, but with normal thyroid function, and his thyroid gland became larger subsequently. In October 1995, he showed renal dysfunction (blood urea nitrogen 33.2 mg/dl; serum creatinine 1.5 mg/dl) with proteinuria. His renal function had been deteriorating rapidly. On September 13, 1996, he was admitted to the Tsukuba University Hospital. At the time of admission, his renal function showed a blood urea nitrogen of 129.5 mg/dl with a creatinine of 5.4 mg/dl. The urine contained 0.8 g of protein per 24 hours. He presented with diarrhea for several days before admission and was treated with central venous hyperalimentation. Despite supportive care, he developed end-stage renal failure, then hemodialysis was initiated on October 7. His condition was complicated by a complete auriculoventricular block on October 18. He died of hemoperitoneum on October 25. On postmortem examination, extensive amyloid deposits were found in multiple organs including kidneys, intestine, heart, thyroid gland, lungs, liver, spleen, pancreas, gall bladder, adrenal glands, testis, prostate, bone marrow and parathyroid glands. Analysis of amyloid protein in the autopsy specimens showed type AA.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Effectiveness and feasibility of a strategy for increasing participation in the Japanese Stomach Cancer Examination programs by incorporating serum pepsinogen tests].

The number of people examined in "the Japanese Stomach Cancer Examination" programs under "Health Services Law for the Aged" has not increased, and a strategy is needed to increase participation in the programs. We have thought out a plan to persuade people to the programs by using serum pepsinogen tests without changing the framework of the programs. The plan is as follows: The subjects are those who undergo phlebotomy in "the General Health Examination" programs and who do not undergo the Stomach Examination programs. Serum pepsinogen levels are measured using the sera and those with high risk for stomach cancer are persuaded to attend "the Stomach Examination" programs. To estimate the effect of the plan, we asked several local governments to complete a questionnaire on the numbers of subjects. The ratio of the number of the subjects in the plan to the number of screenees in recent Stomach Examination programs was 0.61. An increase of about 15% was expected in screenees of the Stomach Examination Programs, if 40% of the subjects in the plan were diagnosed as high risk and 60% of the high risk subjects attended the Stomach Examination programs. From the economical stand point, it was expected that detection rate would increase and that the plan did not raise the cost for detecting a patient with stomach cancer. We also conducted a questionnaire survey of those who would be the subjects of the plan. Eighty-two percent of the subjects answered that they would attend the Stomach Examination programs, if they were told that their risk of stomach cancer was high by the serum pepsinogen tests. These results seem to suggest that more people would participate in cancer examination programs when informed that their risk for cancer is high as determined by blood tests.

Humans↗
PubMed1998

[A survey of opioid use in preanesthetic medication].

A mailing survey was carried out to assess the current practice of sedative premedication in anesthesia. Questionnaires were sent by mail to 77 university hospitals. We especially evaluated use of opioids for premedication. Sixty-one percent (n = 47) of the hospitals answered these questionnaires and 31 percent (n = 15) of them were using opioids for the preanesthetic medication. Pethidine was used most frequently for premedication of all opioids, and morphine was often used for the premedication before cardiac surgery. All opioids were administrated intramusculary both in adults and children.

Adolescent↗