Biomedical subjects

S Komiyama

Publications and source records attributed to S Komiyama.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Predominant role of the chorda tympani nerve in the maintenance of the taste pores: the influence of gustatory denervation in ear surgery.

The effect on the taste pores of denervation of the chorda tympani nerve in the middle-ear cavity was studied comparing confocal laser microscopy with lingual nerve resection. Taste pore cells were stained for actin with rhodamine-phalloidin and positive fluorescence was observed as a ring shape at the transverse cross sections. Within three days after chorda tympani nerve resection the ring reaction disappeared, although the pore morphology remained intact as seen by scanning electron microscopy. On the other hand, lingual nerve resection did not induce such rapid disappearance of the ring reaction. These results suggest that the chorda tympani nerve plays a predominant role in the maintenance of actin filaments in taste pore cells.

Actins↗

PubMed2000

[Respiratory function after coronary artery bypass grafting through mini-sternotomy as a factor of early recovery].

OBJECTIVES: Early recovery in patients after minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting with mini-sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass (MICS-CABG) was compared to standard CABG by assessing preoperative and postoperative (7 to 10 days after) respiratory function. METHODS: Fifteen patients (Group M; mean age 62.1 years) underwent MICS-CABG with a mean of 2.3 distal anastomoses per patient. Ten patients (Group F; mean age 63.8 years) underwent standard CABG through full sternotomy with a mean of 2.4 distal anastomoses per patient. RESULTS: Postoperative coronary angiography showed that the patency rate of the grafts was 97% in Group M and 96% in Group F. Intubation time and hospital stay were significantly shorter (p < 0.01) in Group M (6.2 +/- 2.4 hours, 16.3 +/- 3.1 days) than in Group F (10.8 +/- 2.9 hours, 22.8 +/- 2.5 days). Respiratory function measured as the percentage of postoperative to preoperative values (Group M/Group F; mean +/- standard error) were vital capacity of 95.8 +/- 3.1%/74.6 +/- 3.4% (p < 0.05), 1 sec percentage of forced expiratory volume of 98.8 +/- 2.3%/71.8 +/- 2.8% (p < 0.05) and peak expiratory flow rate of 91.7 +/- 4.2%/89.4 +/- 4.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Quick recovery of the respiratory function after MICS-CABG may be important in the early recovery and short hospital stay of MICS-CABG patients compared with standard CABG patients.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Immunohistochemical observation of actin filaments in epithelial cells encircling the taste pore cavity of rat fungiform papillae.

Epithelial cells are connected to each other around taste pores in rat fungiform papillae. Cytoskeletal components are responsible for the maintenance of intracellular adhesion, and we investigated the identification and localization of actin filaments around taste pores. On the basis of observations made by immunohistochemical transmission electron microscopy comparing with confocal laser scanning microscopy using actin-lectin double staining, actin filaments were found to be localized, encircling the squeezed taste pore cavity, in epithelial cells a few micrometers below the papilla surface. In addition, these observations suggest that the organization of actin filaments around taste pores might be involved in the constriction of taste pores.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

PubMed1999

Regulation of intracellular chloride by cotransporters in developing lateral superior olive neurons.

The regulatory mechanisms of intracellular Cl- concentration ([Cl-]i) were investigated in the lateral superior olive (LSO) neurons of various developmental stages by taking advantage of gramicidin perforated patch recording mode, which enables neuronal [Cl-]i measurement. Responses to glycine changed from depolarization to hyperpolarization during the second week after birth, resulting from [Cl-]i decrease. Furosemide equally altered the [Cl-]i of both immature and mature LSO neurons, indicating substantial contributions of furosemide-sensitive intracellular Cl- regulators; i.e., K+-Cl- cotransporter (KCC) and Na+-K+-Cl- cotransporter (NKCC), throughout this early development. Increase of extracellular K+ concentration and replacement of intracellular K+ with Cs+ resulted in [Cl-]i elevation at postnatal days 13-15 (P13-P15), but not at P0-P2, indicating that the mechanism of neuronal Cl- extrusion is sensitive to both furosemide and K+-gradient and poorly developed in immature LSO neurons. In addition, removal of extracellular Na+ decreased [Cl-]i at P0-P2, suggesting the existence of extracellular Na+-dependent and furosemide-sensitive Cl- accumulation in immature LSO neurons. These data show clearly that developmental changes of Cl- cotransporters alter [Cl-]i and are responsible for the switch from the neonatal Cl- efflux to the mature Cl- influx in LSO neurons. Such maturational changes in Cl- cotransporters might have the important functional roles for glycinergic and GABAergic synaptic transmission and the broader implications for LSO and auditory development.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Prognosis of Japanese patients with ovarian clear cell carcinoma associated with pelvic endometriosis: clinicopathologic evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: Ovarian clear cell carcinoma is commonly associated with pelvic endometriosis. We retrospectively evaluated clinicopathological data on the association between ovarian clear cell carcinoma and pelvic endometriosis. METHODS: Between 1984 and 1995, we evaluated clinicopathological data on 53 Japanese patients with primary ovarian clear cell carcinoma who had been initially treated at Keio University Hospital. The clinical backgrounds and 5-year survival rates were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty (37.7%) of the 53 patients had carcinoma accompanied by pelvic endometriosis. These 20 cases were classified as FIGO stage I (n = 13, 65%), stage II (n = 1, 5%), stage III (n = 6, 30%), or stage IV (n = 0). The other 33 cases of ovarian clear cell carcinoma had no evidence of association with endometriosis and were classified as stage I (n = 19, 57.6%), stage II (n = 2, 6.1%), stage III (n = 9, 27.2%), or stage IV (n = 3, 9.1%). The incidence of a positive intraperitoneal cytology in stage Ic was significantly less in the group with endometriosis than in that without the endometriosis (n = 1, 14.3% vs n = 9, 64.3%, P = 0.03). The 5-year survival rate of stage I patients was significantly greater in ovarian clear cell carcinoma with pelvic endometriosis (100%) than in that without it (60%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients having ovarian clear cell carcinoma with pelvic endometriosis exhibited a better prognosis than those without endometriosis, especially those patients with stage I cancer.

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell↗

PubMed1999

Congenital malformation of the inner ear associated with recurrent meningitis.

Congenital deformities of the labyrinth of the inner ear can be associated with meningitis and varying degrees of hearing loss or deafness. A recurrence of meningitis is due to the development of a fistulous communication between the subarachnoid space and the middle ear cavity, and can prove lethal. An illustrative case of a 4-year-old Japanese girl with bilateral severe hearing loss, recurrent meningitis and malformations of the inner ear and stapes footplate is presented. Removal of the stapes during tympanotomy provoked a gush of cerebrospinal fluid. The defect was repaired successfully, and there has been no further episodes of meningitis to date.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

PubMed1999

Cholesteatoma extending into the internal auditory meatus.

We report our experiences in managing a patient with cholesteatoma complicated by meningitis, labyrinthitis and facial nerve palsy. The antero-inferior half of the tympanum was aerated but the postero-superior portion of the tympanic membrane was tightly adherent to the promontry mucosa. An attic perforation was present at the back of the malleolar head. High-resolution computed tomography also uncovered a fistula in the lateral semicircular canal. Surgical exploration of the middle ear cavity demonstrated that both the vestibule and cochlea were filled with cholesteatoma, and the cholesteatoma extended into the internal auditory meatus through the lateral semi-circular canal fistula. The cholesteatoma was removed by opening the vestibule and cochlea with a preservation of the facial nerve. Post-operatively, an incomplete facial palsy remained, but has improved slowly. There is no sign of recurrence to date after a 3-year period of observation.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss with a continuous epidural block.

The efficacy of a continuous epidural block was evaluated in the treatment of 20 patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Ten patients were treated with continuous cervicothoracic epidural block (group A) and the other 10 were treated with stellate ganglion block (group B). No significant difference in factors affecting prognosis was noted between the groups. In the epidural block group 70% achieved substantial hearing improvement, while this occurred in only 30% of patients undergoing stellate ganglion block. These findings suggest that continuous epidural block can be effective in the treatment of sudden SNHL.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Regulation of inner ear fluid in the guinea pig cochlea after the application of saturated NaCl solution to the round window membrane.

The regulation of K+ and Na+ in the inner ear fluid of the guinea pig was studied after the application of saturated NaCl solution to the round window membrane. K+ and Na+ activities in the scala tympani increased rapidly and then decreased. K+ activity in the scala media increased immediately, but Na+ activity continued to increase during the period of observation. K+ activity in the scala vestibuli continued to increase in the observation period. Na+ activity in the scala vestibuli increased and then decreased. The endocochlear potential decreased immediately to approximately 20% of its initial level. Total activities of K+ and Na+ increased immediately and then decreased in both the scala tympani and scala media. The total activity of K+ and Na+ increased slowly and showed no regulatory decrease in the scala vestibuli. Thus, changing patterns in the total activity of K+ and Na+ were similar for the scala tympani and scala media, but not for the scala media and the scala vestibuli. Different patterns of K+ and Na+ activities among the three scalae indicate that their mechanisms for regulating inner ear fluid differ.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Effects of the antihistaminergic drugs diphenhydramine and zolantidine on vestibular-induced hypothalamic neuronal activity in the guinea pig.

The mode of action of diphenhydramine in treating motion sickness is unknown. Using an electrophysiologic technique, we investigated the effects of intravenous diphenhydramine and zolantidine on the changes in neuronal activity produced by caloric stimulation in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in the guinea pig. Changes in neuronal activity were modulated by the administration of diphenhydramine in a high percentage of the neurons tested (71%), while zolantidine affected only a small number (29%). This finding reinforces the involvement of a histaminergic system in vestibular autonomic responses. The modulatory effect of diphenhydramine on PVN neuron activity may explain in part this drug's efficacy in treating motion sickness.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Huge hamartoma with inverted papilloma in the nasal cavity.

We report clinical experience in managing a 46-year-old Japanese man with long-standing nasal obstruction resulting from a huge left nasal mass. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and biopsy were used to make a provisional diagnosis of inverted papilloma. The mass was resected via a frontal approach combined with rhinotomy. Histopathologic examination of the resected specimen was consistent with a hamartoma that included an inverted papilloma on a portion of its surface. In addition to being rare tumors in the nasal cavity, we believe that our patient's tumor the largest nasal hamartoma ever reported.

Biopsy↗

PubMed1999

Effects of cytochalasin D on taste pores of rat fungiform papillae.

Effects of cytochalasin D on actin filaments in cells encircling taste pores were examined to clarify the functional role of actin filaments in the maintenance of taste pores in rat fungiform papillae, using a confocal laser microscope and a scanning electron microscope. Fluorescence in the taste pore cells was detected as a ring shape produced by actin staining with rhodamine-phalloidin. Treatment of fungiform papillae with cytochalasin D diminished the positive reactions in the taste pore cells and increased the inner diameter of the ring reactions. However, deformation of the taste pores in fungiform papillae was not detected under a scanning electron microscope after treatment with cytochalasin D. These findings suggest that the organization of actin filaments encircling the taste pores contributes to regulation of the taste pore's size in rat fungiform papillae.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Magnetic sensory cortical responses evoked by tactile stimulations of the human face, oral cavity and flap reconstructions of the tongue.

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a procedure that analyzes the magnetic responses of neurons. An MEG system with a 37-channel superconductivity quantum interference device (SQUID) was used to record magnetic signals from the human brain in response to tactile stimulations of the face and oral cavity. Six normal individuals were studied as well as three patients who had undergone hemiglossectomies as treatment for carcinoma of the tongue and reconstruction with a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. When the locations of the magnetic responses having latencies of 40 ms from onset of tactile stimulation were identified, these corresponded to the primary somatosensory cortex. In patients whose tongues had been reconstructed with a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, the magnetic response upon stimulation of the flap was recorded in a sensory cortical area identical to that corresponding to the tongue. MEG systems such as the one described permit functional mapping of the cerebral cortex on stimulating the face and oral cavity.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Transcutaneous PCO2 monitoring in the evaluation of hyperventilation of patients with recurrent nerve paralysis.

Hyperventilation during phonation is one of the causes of fatigue in patients with vocal cord disorders. Transcutaneous (TC) PCO2 and PO2 were analyzed during phonation in patients with known recurrent nerve paralyses (RNP). There was no significant change in TCPCO2 in eight normal subjects. In cases with unilateral RNP and incomplete glottic closure, TCPCO2 decreased during phonation. This decrease in TCPCO2 resulted from hyperventilation during phonation. The TCPCO2 did not decrease in one case with RNP and complete glottic closure. In one case with incomplete glottic closure, the decrease in TCPCO2 and fatigue disappeared after treatment. These results suggest that hyperventilation is one of the causes for easy fatiguability during phonation in patients with RNP, Findings also show that measurements of TCPCO2 during phonation are useful for evaluating the cause of fatigue in patients with vocal disorders.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Quantitative evaluation of the voice range profile in patients with voice disorder.

In 1953, Calvet first displayed the fundamental frequency (pitch) and sound pressure level (intensity) of a voice on a two-dimensional plane and created a voice range profile. This profile has been used to evaluate clinically various vocal disorders, although such evaluations to date have been subjective without quantitative assessment. In the present study, a quantitative system was developed to evaluate the voice range profile utilizing a personal computer. The area of the voice range profile was defined as the voice volume. This volume was analyzed in 137 males and 175 females who were treated for various dysphonias at Kyushu University between 1984 and 1990. Ten normal subjects served as controls. The voice volume in cases with voice disorders significantly decreased irrespective of the disease and sex. Furthermore, cases having better improvement after treatment showed a tendency for the voice volume to increase. These findings illustrated the voice volume as a useful clinical test for evaluating voice control in cases with vocal disorders.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Overexpression of p53 nuclear protein in premalignant and malignant laryngeal lesions.

To investigate the role of p53 nuclear protein mutations in the initiation and progression of laryngeal carcinoma, 111 premalignant and malignant laryngeal lesions (19 specimens with hyperkeratosis and 92 with carcinoma) were studied immunohistochemically. Over-expression of p53 was observed in 8 cases (42%) of laryngeal hyperkeratosis and 44 cases (47%) of laryngeal carcinoma. However, the expression of p53 showed no relationship to patients' clinical courses. Our study confirms that p53 overexpression can be found in laryngeal carcinogenesis and is an early event but not a useful prognostic marker.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

PubMed1999

Ramsay-Hunt syndrome in a 4-year-old child.

The Ramsay-Hunt syndrome mostly affects adults, but a small number of children with herpes zoster oticus have been reported. We describe a case of Ramsay Hunt syndrome in a healthy 4-year-old boy. He developed varicella at 7 months of age. At the age of 4 years, he complained of pain in his right ear, and herpes zoster vesicles were noted on his right pinna. Three days later, he developed right facial paralysis. He was treated with intravenous acyclovir and methylprednisolone. One month later, his facial paralysis had fully resolved.

Acyclovir↗

PubMed1999

Comparison of survival rates of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with radiotherapy, 5-fluorouracil and vitamin A ("FAR" therapy) vs FAR therapy plus adjunctive cisplatin and peplomycin chemotherapy.

The overall survival rate (OSR) of 36 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC) treated at Kyushu University hospital between 1983 to 1992 was analyzed. As primary treatment, 16 patients received a combination therapy of 5-fluorouracil, vitamin A, and radiation (FAR therapy); two patients received radiotherapy only; 18 patients received FAR therapy plus adjunctive systemic chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin and peplomycin. The radiation dose to the nasopharynx was 6000 to 7050 cGy while that to the neck was 4000-6000 cGy. The 5-year OSR of all the patients was 49%. Histological type (moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma) and patient age (> or = 55) were found to be significant prognostic factors for a worse OSR. Although survival decreased with increasing T stage, no significant difference was observed. The 5-year OSR of the patients treated with FAR therapy was 53% and was 51% with FAR therapy plus chemotherapy. Compared to FAR therapy alone, adjunctive chemotherapy did not increase OSR of the patients with NPC.

Adult↗