Biomedical subjects

S Morimoto

Publications and source records attributed to S Morimoto.

954 records · Page 53Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Electromagnetic fields inhibit endothelin-1 production stimulated by thrombin in endothelial cells.

Electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation has been found to induce arteriolar dilatation, but the mechanism of action remains largely unknown. This study investigated the effect of EMF radiation on the production of endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor, by cultured endothelial cells. EMF radiation reduced ET-1 basal levels in human umbilical vein and microvascular endothelial cells, but failed to reduce ET-1 basal levels in bovine and human aortic endothelial cells. EMF radiation significantly inhibited thrombin-stimulated ET-1 production in all four endothelial cell types in a dose-dependent manner. EMF radiation significantly inhibited thrombin-induced endothelin-1 mRNA expression in all four cell types. The inhibitory effect of EMF radiation on ET-1 production was abolished by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (10(-3) mol/1). These results demonstrate that EMF radiation modulates ET-1 production in cultured vascular endothelial cells and the inhibitory effect of EMF radiation is, at least partly, mediated through a nitric oxide-related pathway.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Traditional Chinese medicine and Kampo: a review from the distant past for the future.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a complete system of healing that developed in China about 3000 years ago, and includes herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion and massage, etc. In recent decades the use of TCM has become more popular in China and throughout the world. Traditional Japanese medicine has been used for 1500 years and includes Kampo-yaku (herbal medicine), acupuncture and acupressure. Kampo is now widely practised in Japan and is fully integrated into the modern health-care system. Kampo is based on TCM but has been adapted to Japanese culture. In this paper we review the history and characteristics of TCM and traditional Japanese medicine, i.e. the selection of traditional Chinese herbal medicine treatments based on differential diagnosis, and treatment formulations specific for the 'Sho' (the patient's symptoms at a given moment) of Japanese Kampo--and look at the prospects for these forms of medicine.

China↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Angiotensin-II receptor antagonist alleviates non-alcoholic fatty liver in KKAy obese mice with type 2 diabetes.

We examined the effects of the angiotensin-II receptor antagonist candesartan on non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and circulating adiponectin concentrations in KKAy obese mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The KKAy mice were randomly assigned to receive either candesartan at a once-daily dose of 10 mg/kg (n = 5) or placebo (n = 5). The differences in liver weight, histological evaluation of hepatic lipid infiltration, serum adiponectin concentration and hepatic adiponectin mRNA levels between the two groups were determined on day 7 after treatment was initiated. Candesartan-treated mice demonstrated significantly lower liver weights and reduced lipid droplets in hepatic cells compared with control mice. The circulating adiponectin levels and hepatic expression of adiponectin mRNA were significantly higher in candesartan-treated mice than control mice. These results suggest that candesartan might alleviate NAFL through elevation of circulating adiponectin levels in KKAy obese mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Adiponectin↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Altered responses of plasma 18-hydroxycorticosterone and aldosterone to angiotensin II and adrenocorticotropin in patients with a 18-hydroxycorticosterone-producing tumor.

Plasma 18-hydroxycorticosterone (18-OHB) and aldosterone responses to angiotensin II (AII) and ACTH were examined in 2 patients with a 18-OHB-producing tumor (18-OHBPT) versus those in 8 patients with a aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA), 7 patients with low renin essential hypertension (LREH) and 10 normal subjects. Plasma 18-OHB and aldosterone levels and the 18-OHB: aldosterone ratio were high in patients with an APA and normal in patients with LREH. In patients with a 18-OHBPT, plasma 18-OHB and aldosterone levels were high and normal, respectively, resulting in a 2-fold greater 18-OHB: aldosterone ratio than that in patients with an APA. Patients with an APA had a blunted response of plasma 18-OHB and aldosterone to AII and a supranormal response of these corticoids to ACTH. Patients with LREH had a supranormal response of plasma 18-OHB and aldosterone to AII and a normal response of these corticoids to ACTH. In patients with a 18-OHBPT the responses of both plasma 18-OHB and aldosterone to AII and ACTH closely resembled those in patients with an APA but not in patients with LREH. These data suggest that 18-OHBPT may be a variant of aldosteronomas, producing a large amount of 18-OHB and a small amount of aldosterone.

18-Hydroxycorticosterone↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical evaluation of hypokalemia in anorexia nervosa.

The serum and urinary levels of electrolytes were measured in 25 patients with anorexia nervosa admitted to this hospital. Seven (28%) of these patients vomited, usually surreptitiously. Hypokalemia was detected in 5 (20%) of these patients, all among those who vomited. The urinary chloride/sodium ratios were low in the patients who vomited, and did not overlap the values in patients who did not vomit, indicating that this ratio was a good indication of vomiting. These results suggested that stopping vomiting is most important for correcting hypokalemia.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of elastase in reversing the de-differentiation of rabbit costal chondrocytes in culture induced by the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA).

As elastase is known to affect cell functions in various cell systems, its effects on the functions of control and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-treated chondrocytes in vitro were examined. Pretreatment of chondrocytes with TPA (10(-8) M) for 48 h significantly enhanced DNA synthesis, inhibited glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis and inhibited the increase in ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity in response to parathyroid hormone (PTH) relative to values in control cultures. Addition of elastase (1, 10 and 50 ng/ml) for 24 h partially inhibited the de-differentiated phenotypes induced by TPA such as the decreased synthesis of GAG and decreased response of ODC activity to PTH without affecting the DNA synthesis. Moreover, elastase significantly increased both the basal level of cyclic AMP and that on PTH treatment of TPA-pretreated cells. These results suggested that elastase partially restored the differentiated phenotypes of de-differentiated chondrocytes probably through its effect in increasing the level of intracellular cyclic AMP.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Stability of mandibular position in continuous vowel phonation.

The stability of the mandibular positions during continuous phonation of the five vowels [( a], [e], [i], [o], [u]) and the relationship between each position and the rest position were examined for 30 subjects (males, 23 to 35 years of age) using the mandibular kinesiograph. Each subject had a complete or nearly complete natural dentition with no marked occlusal abnormalities. The mandibular position during continuous phonation of the vowel [i] appeared stable and was closely related to the rest position. It is thus suggested that the use of continuous [i] phonation is a viable method for determining the occlusal vertical dimension.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

CT evaluation of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.

CT findings in 19 patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma were compared retrospectively with pathologic findings and the results of palpation. The carcinoma appeared as a large mass of low attenuation accompanied by dense calcification in 58% of the patients; there was necrosis in 74%. Often, adjacent structures were infiltrated. CT correctly showed tumor invasion of the carotid artery (7/7), internal jugular vein (9/10), larynx (5/6), trachea (8/10), esophagus (4/5), mediastinum (5/5), and regional lymph nodes (14/16). Seven patients (50%) had necrotic nodes. CT was superior to palpation in the detection of a primary tumor in one patient and of metastatic nodes in seven patients. It suggested a suitable place for biopsy in two patients, leading to a correct diagnosis. CT altered surgical planning in five patients with intrathoracic extension of the thyroid tumor, and in three patients with laryngeal or esophageal invasion of the tumor. CT can increase diagnostic accuracy in patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma by suggesting a likely diagnosis and by indicating an appropriate site for biopsy. It is indispensable in the planning of surgery for patients with this disorder.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Tongue cancer: correlation of MR imaging and sonography with pathology.

Ten patients with tongue cancer underwent both MR imaging and sonography. In seven of these patients, pathologic findings from glossectomies were correlated with MR and sonographic results. MR images of resected specimens also were obtained in two patients, and relaxation time was calculated in one of these patients. MR images (5- to 7-mm thick slices) were obtained by using a 0.1-T resistive magnet with a 128 x 256 acquisition matrix. MR and sonography had almost the same sensitivity for detecting primary-site tongue cancer. However, in the three patients with extraorgan spread of tumor, MR was superior, showing three of three cases, compared with sonography, which showed extraorgan spread in only one of the three cases. Although MR failed in one patient to differentiate postradiation scar tissue from tumor, because of similar relaxation time of both, this imaging technique proved to be an important adjunct to the physical examination in the staging of tongue cancer.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Computed tomography and ultrasonography in parotid tumors.

To determine the most appropriate radiographic approach to parotid tumors, computed tomography (CT) was performed in 65 patients with 33 benign tumors, 19 malignant tumors, 3 abscesses and 10 other lesions with a clinical appearance of tumor. In 22 of the 65 cases CT-sialography and in 26 ultrasonography (US) were also performed. The mass was well recognized on CT without sialography in all patients, and the lesion was also well evaluated in all those examined with US. At CT-sialography the tumor was well shown, but this method made it difficult to differentiate a benign from a malignant lesion, because the character of the delineation and the border of the tumor were difficult to evaluate. It is concluded that US and CT without sialography are satisfactory for evaluating the parotid tumor, and the indication for CT-sialography is limited to those cases in which the tumor is demonstrated on US, but is unclear on conventional CT.

Adenoma, Pleomorphic↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Computed tomography reveals atypical localization of benign mediastinal tumors.

Computed tomographic appearances of 147 surgically proven mediastinal tumors (113 benign and 34 malignant lesions) were evaluated paying special attention to their localization or extension. Ten of the 113 benign lesions (9%) showed atypical or unique localization or extension, and were divided into three groups. In the first group, two lymphangiomas and one bronchogenic cyst spread over both the precardiovascular and the retrocardiovascular compartments, mimicking a malignant lesion. In the second group, the single cases of thymic hypertrophy, thymic cyst, schwannoma, and pericardial cyst were located atypically in the retrocardiovascular compartment. In the last group, two esophageal leiomyomas and one esophageal duplication showed upward and downward longitudinal extension beyond the azygos arch and the aortic arch.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Spontaneous pneumothorax caused by metastatic hemangioendothelioma. Radiographic appearance and pathologic correlation.

A patient with hemangioendothelioma is described, who developed a metastatic pulmonary nodule, subsequently a bullous lesion contiguous to the nodule, and finally spontaneous pneumothorax. In such cases, newly formed bullous lesions may conceal originally visible metastatic foci and can be a potential source of spontaneous pneumothorax.

Hemangioendothelioma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Computed tomography following endoscopic sclerotherapy of esophageal varices.

Computed tomography of the chest following endoscopic injection sclerotherapy for esophageal varices was performed in 17 procedures in 13 patients. CT scans were obtained before and within 48 hours after the procedure. CT findings included: esophageal wall thickening; a low-attenuating lesion within the wall of the esophagus with varying appearances, either laminated, localized, or inhomogeneous; a mediastinal lesion; pleural effusion; and various types of pulmonary changes such as atelectasis, pleural-based lesions, dilatation of peripheral pulmonary vessels, and nodular lesions. However, on follow-up CT they had regressed or disappeared. The changes in the mediastinum and pleural space might be caused by direct extension of inflammation from the esophagus, but those in the lungs, especially dilatation of peripheral vessels, may be caused by the sclerosing agent passing to the pulmonary vessels.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

CT of parotid tumors.

Computed tomographic (CT) appearances of 18 surgically proven parotid tumors were studied. Digital radiography (GE, ScoutView) was performed to select the desired gantry angulations and then plain CT and CT combined with sialography were performed. Plain CT clearly showed parotid tumors in nine of the patients. CT combined with sialography was more helpful than plain CT for delineating the tumors in the other patients who had either tumors in high-density parotid glands for tumors low density. CT allows more accurate evaluation of tumor location and extent in the parotid gland than any other method and helps distinguish malignant from benign lesions. The normal CT appearances of the parotid region are necessary for precise interpretation of CT images in this region.

Adenoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Three-dimensional movements of a maxillary complete denture: the development of a measuring system and preliminary measurement.

To measure the movements of a maxillary denture in vivo it is necessary to analyze the three-dimensional displacements induced. A measuring system consisting of four main units (a magnetic sensor, three optical fiber sensors, a sensor-setting jig, and a recorder) was developed. Using this system, the movements of a maxillary denture were continuously measured during tapping and during the mastication of a peanut.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Long-term effects of pravastatin on serum lipid levels in elderly patients with hypercholesterolemia.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy and tolerability of pravastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, in elderly patients with hypercholesterolemia. Pravastatin was administered for 12 months at a mean final dose of 9.9 mg/d to 208 elderly patients (mean [+/- SD] age, 70 +/- 7 years) with levels of total serum cholesterol greater than 5.69 mmol/L. The mean total cholesterol level was significantly decreased from 6.85 +/- 0.80 mmol/L to 5.59 +/- 0.70 mmol/L after 3 months, and this decrease was maintained thereafter. A similar change was observed in the mean serum level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Although the mean serum level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in all the patients did not change significantly, the level in 34 patients with a value lower than 1.03 mmol/L was significantly increased after 3 months and thereafter. The serum level of triglycerides in all patients was significantly decreased after 3 months and thereafter and the decrease was more marked in 101 patients with levels greater than 1.73 mmol/L. In 168 elderly patients receiving 10 mg/d of pravastatin, there were significant negative correlations between the percent decrease in total cholesterol and both baseline total serum cholesterol level (r = -.354, P < 0.001) and age (r = -.208, P = 0.007). No serious side effects were observed. These results indicate that long-term administration of pravastatin is beneficial in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia in elderly patients.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of perindopril on glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension and glucose intolerance.

The effect of perindopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, on glucose and lipid metabolism was evaluated in 12 patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension and glucose intolerance. Perindopril was administered at a dosage of 2 to 8 mg once daily for 12 weeks. Both the systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly reduced throughout the treatment period. There were no significant changes in the insulinogenic index (delta plasma immunoreactive insulin/delta plasma glucose) calculated from the results of 75-g oral glucose tolerance tests performed before and after perindopril treatment. Serum levels of glycosylated hemoglobin, fructosamine, lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins were also not affected. These results suggest that perindopril can be used effectively to treat hypertension in patients with glucose intolerance without affecting glucose and lipid metabolism.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Two cases of polymyositis with cardiac involvement].

Cardiac involvement in polymyositis is more prevalent than previously assumed. A 59-year-old and a 58-year-old man presented with cardiac involvement preceding skeletal muscular lesions, admitted because of increased levels of muscle-derived enzymes and left ventricular dysfunction with ECG abnormalities. Coronary angiography revealed no stenotic lesions. Right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy disclosed myocarditis. Left ventriculography showed local asynergy of cardiac wall motion. After admission the weakness and atrophy of skeletal muscles progressed gradually and high levels of muscle-derived enzymes persisted. Electromyography and skeletal muscle biopsy confirmed the clinical diagnosis of polymyositis. Both patients were diagnosed as having polymyositis with cardiac involvement, and treatment with steroids was started. Symptoms improved significantly, and the CK enzyme level was reduced effectively. The condition of one patient was well controlled, but the other suffered from repeated heart failure due to severe left ventricular dysfunction. The clinical spectrum of polymyositis is wide and variable. Further studies are needed to evaluate the detection, management, and prognosis of the disease as well as the pathogenesis and to prevent progression of cardiac involvement.

Electrocardiography↗