Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Kikuchi

Publications and source records attributed to S Kikuchi.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Correlation between a liking for fat-rich foods and body fatness in adult Japanese: a gender difference.

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that Japanese adults who like fat-rich foods have more body fatness and higher serum lipid levels than those who do not. The subjects were 540 male and 492 female workers under 41 years of age. A self-administered questionnaire determined four levels of liking for fat-rich foods. Anthropometric measurements were employed yielding body mass index (BMI), waist to hip circumference ratio (WHR), and skinfold thickness. Anthropometric values were compared among the levels of liking for fat-rich foods using analysis of covariance. For males, a liking for fat-rich foods was associated with BMI, WHR, whole-body skinfold thickness, and abdominal skinfold thickness (p<0.0001). In particular, those who like fat-rich foods "quite a bit" or "very much" showed significantly higher values than those who answered "no" or "a little". Multiple regression analysis showed that a liking for fat-rich foods explains 7-9% of the variation in the anthropometric indices, even when other lifestyles were taken into account. For females, such findings were not evident. There is a gender difference in the association between a liking for fat-rich foods and body fatness. The difference may be due to a female-specific attitude toward high-calorie foods.

Adipose Tissue↗

Mucocele-like lesions of the sphenoid sinus with hypointense foci on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging.

Lesions limited to the sphenoid sinus are relatively rare, and are obscure with respect to symptoms and physical findings. The differential diagnosis of isolated sphenoid sinus disease includes bacterial sinusitis, fungal infection, granulomatous inflammation, mucocele, and tumors. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide information that closely reflects the composition of the tissues, sometimes permitting differentiation between pathologically distinct lesions showing similar density by computed tomography. We describe two cases involving mucocele-like lesions of the sphenoid sinus where preoperative MRI revealed a focus of hypointensity within the lesions. In both patients the sphenoid sinus was opened by a transnasal endoscopic approach, and diseased tissue corresponding to the hypointense area was removed under direct endoscopic vision. Histopathological diagnosis revealed colonies of Aspergillus in one case and necrotic granulation tissue without fungus in the other. We concluded that MRI is a crucial part of preoperative evaluation and that the transnasal endoscopic approach represents a safe and effective method for treating nonmalignant isolated sphenoid sinus disease.

Aged↗

Anatomical aspects of biopsy of the proximal fibula.

The relationship between the peroneal nerves and the anatomical structures near the fibular head were studied in 20 cadavers. It was the purpose to define the boundaries of a "safe" area when performing a biopsy of the fibular head. The distances between the proximal end of the fibular head and the deep peroneal nerve (26+/-0.32 mm) and the intermuscular septum (15+/-0.19 mm) were measured, as well as the angle between the deep peroneal nerve and the fibula as seen in the A-P view (23.5+/-3.5 degrees). We considered that biopsies should be performed with an anterolateral approach in the safe area formed by the fibular head and the deep peroneal nerve in the anterior compartment.

Biopsy↗

Expression of the novel transcription factor OASIS, which belongs to the CREB/ATF family, in mouse embryo with special reference to bone development.

The OASIS gene, which encodes a novel CREB/ATF family member, was isolated from long-term cultured astrocytes that were employed as an in vitro gliosis model. In the present study, we examined the expression pattern of the OASIS gene in the developing mouse embryo by in situ hybridization histochemistry and compared it with the expression of osteogenesis markers. OASIS mRNA expression was most strongly detected in preosteoblasts of the outer bony cortex of the ribs. Alveolar bone also showed strong signals for OASIS gene expression. OASIS mRNA was also localized to the preodontoblast of tooth buds. Expression began at embryonic day 12 (D12.5), peaked around D14.5-16.5, and continued to D18.5. The pattern of expression was very similar to that of hXBP-1 mRNA, which encodes another CREB/ATF family member. Spatiotemporal patterns of OASIS partly overlapped that of osteopontin, osteonectin, and alpha1 type I procollagen genes. Among these, the time course of OASIS mRNA expression was most similar to that of osteopontin mRNA expression, suggesting that the OASIS protein is involved in the late phase of osteoblast differentiation, as compared to the Cbfa1 that regulates early phases of osteoblast differentiation.

Animals↗

Alpha-Fetoprotein-producing esophageal adenocarcinoma: report of a case.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-producing esophageal tumors are extremely rare. We report herein the case of a 51-year-old man found to have an AFP-producing adenocarcinoma arising from esophageal proper mucosa. The patient presented for investigation of dysphagia, and esophagogram and endoscopy revealed a lesion about 2 cm in size with a depressed center surrounded by low nodular protrusions in the lower esophagus. The preoperative serum AFP concentration was elevated to 52.4 ng/ml. A subtotal esophagectomy was performed, and macroscopic examination of the resected specimen revealed a superficial protruding lesion. Histopathological studies showed a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with a single lymph node metastasis. The tumor had infiltrated the submucosal layer, but there was no evidence of lymphatic or venous invasion. Immunohistochemical study revealed tumor cells positive for AFP. There were no findings of Barrett's epithelium or any mucosal changes due to reflux esophagitis. An elevated AFP level 2 years after the operation led us to suspect tumor recurrence; however, diagnostic imaging studies showed no evidence of a recurrence or metastases. The serum AFP levels responded well to chemotherapy with transient decreased levels, but continued to rise until finally, 5 years after the operation, adenocarcinoma cells were detected in the pleural effusion. Thus, careful monitoring of the serum AFP levels at regular intervals could be a useful marker to indicate recurrence of esophageal carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗

A reoperation for anomalous origin of right pulmonary artery: report of a case.

A reoperation to upsize the conduit placed at infancy for the repair of an anomalous origin of the right pulmonary artery (AORPA) was successfully performed in an 8-year-old girl because of an elevated right ventricular pressure and a reduced right pulmonary blood flow. Although primary direct anastomosis is essential for AORPA, one should not hesitate to perform a conduit repair (interposition with a tube prosthesis) on an infant with AORPA whose right pulmonary artery is distant from the main pulmonary artery, because a reoperation can safely be performed even in cases where the conduit is relatively narrow as the patient grows. This is the first report of a reoperation, including a complete replacement of the conduit, after an initial conduit repair for AORPA.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Infection of a retained permanent epicardial pacemaker lead.

Infection of a retained permanent epicardial pacemaker lead rarely causes mediastinal infection. A 21-month-old boy who had undergone an arterial switch operation at day 6 of life presented with mediastinal infection 3 months after removal of the generator. Removal of the infected pacemaker leads with the inflammatory granuloma was performed under extracorporeal circulation. The mediastinal infection developed from the retained epicardial pacemaker lead infection.

Electrodes, Implanted↗

Congenital pulmonary vein stenosis associated with cor triatriatum.

We report an 11-year-old boy who underwent surgical correction for stenosis of the right and left lower pulmonary veins at their junction with the left atrium and associated cor triatriatum. The embryology and therapeutic approaches to congenital pulmonary veins stenosis are discussed.

Child↗

Heat shock protein 70 gene polymorphism in Japanese patients with multiple sclerosis.

Despite the strength of the association of multiple sclerosis (MS) and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR2, other genetic elements could have a role in the pathophysiology of MS. We investigated possible associations with polymorphic susceptibility genes located within the HLA complex, i.e., heat-shock protein (HSP)70-1, HSP70-2, and HSP70-hom in Japanese patients with MS. Furthermore, we analyzed the influence of HSP70 gene polymorphisms on the severity of the disease, clinical course, magnetic resonance imaging findings, and oligoclonal bands in the cerebrospinal fluid, and HLA in MS patients. The results of the present study indicated that there were no significant differences in the distribution of all HSP70 genotypes and allele frequencies between Japanese MS patients and controls. In MS patients, there were no associations between HSP70 gene polymorphisms and the clinical data. Moreover, there were no significant differences in HSP70 genotype or allele frequencies between MS patients positive for HLA-DRB1*1501 alleles and matched controls. Our data indicate that HSP70 gene polymorphisms are not relevant in the susceptibility to or the severity of Japanese MS patients.

Adult↗

Characteristics of patients with hypnotic-related psychiatric disorders in the nationwide mental hospital survey.

We investigated the characteristics of patients with hypnotic-related psychiatric disorders. Subjects were 90 patients reported in the nationwide Mental Hospital Survey in 1998, who were divided into three groups according to their history of substances use. Group A (patients without history of any illicit substance use) was estimated to be the most common and core group with iatrogenic characteristics. Hypnotic use in Group B (patients with history of any illicit substance use) was recognized as one of behavioral disorders in the psychosocial context. Patients in Group C (patients with multiple-substance use and without history of any illicit substance use) showed the most serious disorders in the context of addiction. More specified treatment programs would be required considering patients' characteristics.

Adult↗

Will accident reports filed in hospitals in Japan be used in the future as evidence in malpractice lawsuits?

A major drawback of submission of so-called incident reports for medical institutions is that such reports may be able to be obtained on request by patients and to be used as evidence in malpractice lawsuits. In Japan, there are no established rules concerning the use of accident reports in medical lawsuits. More debate is needed for voluntary report systems to become established in medical institutions throughout Japan.

Disclosure↗

A study of the relationship between metabolism using 1H-MRS and function using several neuropsychological tests in temporal lobe epilepsy.

Several investigators have reported on the relationship between metabolism, using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and function, using neuropsychological tests in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients, but the opinions regarding the results remain in contention. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between metabolism, using proton MRS ((1)H-MRS), and function using several neuropsychological tests in the temporal lobes of TLE patients. We studied 29 TLE patients at our hospital using(1)H-MRS and neuropsychological tests. We used a clinical 1.5 T MR unit. We conducted five neuropsychological tests to examine the function of the left or right temporal lobe. There were significant correlations between the N-acetylaspartate/creatine + phosphocreatine (NAA/Cr) ratios and the scores of almost all of the neuropsychological tests for the temporal lobe function ipsilateral to the spike focus. However, in two Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R) subtests we found no significant correlation in the ipsilateral side. These findings suggest that the NAA/Cr ratios, which reflect neural metabolism, are closely related to function in the temporal lobes of TLE patients. The disparity between the results in two subtests of WMS-R show that several tests may be necessary in order to assess temporal lobe function.

Adolescent↗