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S Nakatani

Publications and source records attributed to S Nakatani.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Repulsive charge mechanism serve to maintain lumens and cavities. An histochemical study of rat serosa and kidney.

The free surface of the rat peritoneum was covered with a rich negative-charged substance which is distinctly stained with cationic colloidal iron (pH 1.5). Neuraminidase digestion erased this iron stain. Treatment with Limax flavus agglutinin (LFA), which has specific affinity to sialic acid, interferred with iron staining on the serosal surface. Transmission electron microscopy of the peritoneal samples stained with colloidal iron showed that colloidal particles were deposited on the free surface of the mesothelial cells. At pH 1.5, the colloidal particles aggregated in a dotted fashion; in those stained at pH 7.0, the particles arranged in fine strands (100-300 nm in length). This difference may occur as a structural transformation due to pH level changes. The string like structure seemed to correspond well to membrane associated sialomucin. The urinary surface of the rat glomerular podocytes possessed negatively charged sites detectable with cationic colloidal iron even at pH 1.5. Neuraminidase and LFA treatments erased iron staining. Substance containing sialic acid such as podocalyxin on the podocyte surface may be stained. This study shows that negatively charged sites of the substance covering the free surface of these regions repulse each other to maintain the serosal cavities or the podocyte end-feet slits.

Animals↗

Primary lymphoma of bone originating in a rib.

Malignant lymphoma originating in the bone is rare and is now recognized as being an independent clinicopathologic entity known as primary lymphoma of bone. A 60-year-old man complaining of right chest and back pain consulted our hospital for further examination. Chest X-ray and computed tomogram revealed osteolysis and a surrounding soft tissue mass in the sixth right rib. An ultrasonically-guided needle biopsy of the tumor was performed, and histologic examination indicated the dense proliferation of similar-sized atypical cells with nucleoli and an irregular nuclear border. A diagnosis of diffuse, medium-sized non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, B-cell type was made. En block resection of the tumor and chest wall was performed. Macroscopically, the tumor measured 7.5 x 4.8 x 3.0 cm in diameter, and the histologic findings were similar to those of the preoperative needle biopsy. Unfortunately, postoperative treatment with radiation therapy and chemotherapy was ultimately unsuccessful, and a local recurrence and metastatic lesions appeared in the stomach and para-aortic abdominal lymph nodes 7 months after the first symptom appeared. The patient died 3 months later. Surgery was chosen as the initial therapy as it was considered that a rib resection would not result in serious respiratory compromise and the complete resection of the tumor would be superior to radiation therapy for local control. Some authors have reported that the surgical resection of a primary lymphoma of the bone originating in a rib can yield a good prognosis. However, it is a systemic disease and a more effective therapeutic strategy should be developed.

Bone Neoplasms↗

Early changes in left ventricular function in chronic asymptomatic alcoholics: relation to the duration of heavy drinking.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess preclinical cardiac abnormalities in chronic alcoholic patients and possible differences among alcoholics related to the duration of heavy drinking. BACKGROUND: Chronic excessive alcohol intake has been reported as a possible cause of dilated cardiomyopathy. However, before the appearance of severe cardiac dysfunction, subtle signs of cardiac abnormalities may be identified. METHODS: We studied 30 healthy subjects (age 44 +/- 8 years) and 89 asymptomatic alcoholics (age 45 +/- 8 years, p = NS) divided into three groups, with short (S, 5-9 years, n = 31), intermediate (I, 10-15 years, n = 31) and long (L, 16-28 years, n = 27) duration of alcoholism. Transmitral early (E) and late (A) Doppler flow velocities, E/A ratio, deceleration time of E (DT) and isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) were obtained. Left ventricular (LV) wall thickness and volumes were also determined by echocardiography, and LV mass and ejection fraction (EF) were calculated. RESULTS: The alcoholics had prolonged IVRT (92 +/- 11 vs. 83 +/- 7 ms, p < 0.001), longer DT (180 +/- 20 vs. 170 +/- 10 ms, p < 0.01), smaller E/A (1.25 +/- 0.34 vs. 1.40 +/- 0.32, p < 0.05), larger LV volumes (73 +/- 8 vs. 65 +/- 7 ml/m2, p < 0.001 for end-diastolic volume index; 25 +/- 4 vs. 21 +/- 2 ml/m2, p < 0.001 for end-systolic volume index), higher LV mass index (92 +/- 14 vs. 78 +/- 8 g/m2, p < 0.001) and thicker posterior wall (9 +/- 1 vs. 8 +/- 1 mm, p < 0.001). Ejection fraction did not differ between the two groups (66 +/- 4 vs. 67 +/- 2%). Deceleration time of the early transmitral flow velocity was longer in groups L (187 +/- 18 ms) and I (185 +/- 16 ms) compared with group S (168 +/- 17 ms, p < 0.001 for L and I vs. S), whereas A was higher in group L compared with S (43 +/- 10 vs. 51 +/- 10 cm/s, p < 0.005). Multiple regression analysis identified duration of heavy drinking as the most important variable affecting DT and A. CONCLUSIONS: Left ventricular dilation with preserved EF and impaired LV relaxation characterized LV function in chronic asymptomatic alcoholic patients. It appeared that the progression of abnormalities in LV diastolic filling related to the duration of alcoholism.

Adult↗

Morphology of vulnerable coronary plaque: insights from follow-up of patients examined by intravascular ultrasound before an acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the morphologic features of coronary plaques associated with acute coronary syndrome, we prospectively followed patients with atherosclerotic disease identified by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). BACKGROUND: Although clinical evaluation of the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque is important, few data exist regarding the morphology of the vulnerable plaque in clinical settings. METHODS: We examined 114 coronary sites without significant stenosis by angiography (<50% diameter stenosis) in 106 patients. All the sites exhibited atherosclerotic lesions by IVUS. These lesions consisted of 22 concentric and 92 eccentric plaques with a percent plaque area averaging 59 +/- 12%. RESULTS: During the follow-up period of 21.8 +/- 6.4 months (range 1 to 24), 12 patients had an acute coronary event at a previously examined coronary site at an average of 4.0 +/- 3.4 months after the initial IVUS study. All the preexisting plaques related to the acute events exhibited an eccentric pattern and the mean percent plaque area was 67 +/- 9%, which was greater than plaque area in the other 90 patients without acute events (57 +/- 12%, p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in lumen area between two patient groups (6.7 +/- 3.0 vs. 7.5 +/- 3.7 mm2). Among 12 coronary sites with an acute occlusion, 10 sites contained the echolucent zones, eight of these shallow and two deep, likely representing a lipid-rich core. In 90 sites without acute events, an echolucent zone in the shallow portion was seen at only four sites (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Large eccentric plaque containing an echolucent zone by IVUS can be at increased risk for instability even though the lumen area is preserved at the time of initial study. Compensatory enlargement of vessel wall due to remodeling may contribute to the relatively small degree of stenosis by angiography.

Angina Pectoris↗

Improvement in left ventricular function in response to carvedilol is accompanied by attenuation of neurohumoral activation in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: We sought to evaluate whether improvement in ejection fraction (EF) with carvedilol therapy is accompanied by improvement in neurohumoral factors. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-two patients with dilated cardiomyopathy were given carvedilol for 3 to 5 months. Changes in EF, plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and norepinephrine levels were determined. Iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) images were also obtained before and after carvedilol therapy. Myocardial uptake of MIBG was calculated as the heart to mediastinal activity ratio (H/M). Storage and release of MIBG was calculated as percent myocardial MIBG washout rate (WR). We divided patients into 2 groups: 27 responders whose EF increased by more than 5% and 15 nonresponders whose EF increased by 5% or less. EF of responders increased by 15 +/- 5% and that of nonresponders by 1 +/- 4%. Although MIBG image-derived indexes of nonresponders remained unchanged, the delayed H/M (1.91 +/- 0.34 v 2.24 +/- 0.53, P < .01) and WR (49 +/- 11 v 39 +/- 9%, P < .01) of responders improved, respectively. The plasma ANP (51 +/- 50 v 27 +/- 24 pg/mL, P < .01) and BNP (194 +/- 197 v 49 +/- 62 pg/mL, P < .01) levels of responders decreased. The degree of changes in the plasma BNP level correlated with changes in EF (r = -.698, P < .01). CONCLUSION: The improvement in EF with carvedilol therapy was proved to be accompanied by an improvement in neurohumoral factors.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗

Enhanced methods for visualizing myocardial perfusion with peripheral venous injection of levovist: application of triggered harmonic imaging and triggered harmonic power Doppler imaging techniques.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether triggered harmonic imaging (THI) or triggered harmonic power Doppler imaging (THPDI) could obtain the myocardial contrast enhancement using peripheral venous injection of a first generation echocardiographic contrast agent, Levovist. METHODS: In a phantom model, we examined the influence of an acoustic power, harmonic filters, transmitted frequencies and focus positions of transducer on Levovist. Then fundamental, harmonic or harmonic power Doppler imaging were performed with ECG-triggered imaging in eight closed-chest dogs using bolus injection of Levovist. RESULTS: In a phantom model, the highest transmission power (Mechanical index 1.6), a medium harmonic filter and a focus position (6 cm) resulted in the best enhanced contrast in both THI and THPDI. Furthermore, higher pulse repetition frequency (5500 Hz) of harmonic power Doppler made clearer enhancement. In animal models, we could not observe the apparent myocardial contrast using triggered fundamental imaging, and the intensity of each region of interest (ROI) of myocardium had not changed significantly. However, homogeneous myocardial contrast could be obtained using THI, which was conditioned on the highest transmission power, a medium harmonic filter same as the phantom model, at a lower transmitted frequency (1.8 MHz) and a focus position, which were located in the middle portion of the left ventricle. The peak intensity of each ROI increased significantly in a gray level. Furthermore, THPDI caused emphasized myocardial contrast visually. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that THI and THPDI produce obvious MCE using peripheral venous injection of Levovist.

Animals↗

Validity and reproducibility of echocardiographic measurement of left ventricular ejection fraction by acoustic quantification with tissue harmonic imaging technique.

The tissue harmonic imaging technique can enhance detection of the cardiac endocardial border. When combined with an acoustic quantification (AQ) method, an improvement of accuracy and reproducibility of real-time measurement of left ventricular (LV) function might be expected. However, few data exist regarding the measurement of LV function by AQ with the harmonic imaging technique. Therefore, we evaluated the validity and reproducibility of AQ measurement of LV ejection fraction with or without harmonic imaging technique. A total of 50 patients (mean age 58 +/- 10 years) who underwent left ventriculography were included in our study. The LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes by ventriculography were 131 +/- 52 mL and 72 +/- 43 mL, respectively, and were underestimated by both conventional (70 +/- 32 mL and 36 +/- 25 mL) and harmonic (67 +/- 30 mL and 34 +/- 22 mL) AQ obtained in the apical 4-chamber view. The calculated ejection fraction by ventriculography was 0.49 +/- 0. 11 and correlated with that by conventional AQ (0.51 +/- 0.11; y = 0. 72x + 0.152; r = 0.73). This was a marked improvement when compared with the ejection fraction by harmonic AQ (0.50 +/- 0.11; y = 0.89x + 0.065; r = 0.91). Interestingly, interobserver and intraobserver variabilities of conventional AQ, which were 15.6% and 8.6%, respectively, were much improved by harmonic AQ (8.9% and 4.5%, respectively). These results indicate the feasibility of real-time measurement of LV ejection fraction by harmonic imaging, although absolute LV volume can be underestimated even by this technique.

Aged↗

Improvement in cardiac function and free fatty acid metabolism in a case of dilated cardiomyopathy with CD36 deficiency.

A 27-year-old man diagnosed as having dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) without myocardial accumulation of 123I-beta-methyl-iodophenylpentadecanoic acid, and he was found to have type I CD36 deficiency. This abnormality of cardiac free fatty acid metabolism was also confirmed by other methods: 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography, measurements of myocardial respiratory quotient and cardiac fatty acid uptake. Although the type I CD36 deficiency was reconfirmed after 3 months, the abnormal free fatty acid metabolism improved after carvedilol therapy and was accompanied by improved cardiac function. Apart from a cause-and-effect relationship, carvedilol can improve cardiac function and increase free fatty acid metabolism in patients with both DCM and CD36 deficiency.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

[Echocardiography of idiopathic cardiomyopathies].

Echocardiography is useful to demonstrate cardiac abnormalities seen in idiopathic cardiomyopathies. Dilated cardiomyopathy is characterized by dilated cardiac chambers and diffusely hypokinetic wall motion. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy with no known cause. Restrictive cardiomyopathy has diastolic failure with preserved systolic function. Echocardiography demonstrates the normal sized ventricles and the dilated atria. Recent advances in echocardiography include second harmonic imaging and tissue Doppler echocardiography. Second harmonic imaging can produce good quality images with high S/N ratio and is useful to delineate the endocardial border clearly and to show smoke-like echo in cardiac chambers. Tissue Doppler echocardiography can measure wall motion velocity. One of the potential application of this method would be to differentiate constrictive pericarditis from restrictive cardiomyopathy.

Cardiomyopathy, Dilated↗

Malignant lymphoma presenting as a large mass in the anterior chest wall.

In general, the preferred treatment for malignant lymphoma is the cytotoxic chemotherapy. However, the surgical intervention is often required for diagnosis and treatment in cases where the diagnosis is not obvious. In well-chosen cases the surgical treatment can contribute importantly to a good outcome and quality of life even in malignant lymphoma. We report a rare case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presenting as a large, rapidly growing mass in the anterior chest wall; resection was the key initial treatment.

Aged↗

Echocardiographic determination of left atrial function and its application for assessment of mitral flow velocity pattern.

We determined left atrial (LA) volume changes to evaluate LA function, and to correlate the Doppler-determined mitral flow velocity (MFV) pattern. Twenty-four patients with ischemic heart disease who showed 'normal' MFV pattern by pulsed Doppler echocardiography were studied. The patients were divided into 14 patients with left ventricular end diastolic pressure < 18 mmHg (true normals) and 10 patients with > or = 18 mmHg (pseudo normals). The changes in LA volume were determined by echocardiography from apical two- and four-chamber views with modified Simpson's method. The volume measurements were done at the time of mitral valve opening (Vmax), at onset of atrial systole (Va) and at mitral valve closure (Vmin). Then the passive LA emptying volume was calculated by subtracting Va from Vmax, and the active LA emptying volume by subtracting Vmin from Va. The LA ejection fraction was calculated by the formula: [(Va-Vmin)Va] x 100. There was no significant difference in LA ejection fraction in pseudo normal (39+/-6%) and in true normal (41+/-13%) patients. Although the passive LA emptying volume was 16+/-4 ml/beat in true normal and was 11+/-3 ml/beat in pseudo normal (NS), the active LA emptying volume was significantly greater in pseudo normals (22+/-4 m/beat) than in true normals (12+/-2 ml/beat, P<0.001). Thus, the ratio of passive and active LA emptying volume was markedly greater in true normals (1.28+/-0.35) than in pseudo normals (0.52+/-0.19, P<0.001), facilitating the differentiation of these two groups. These results indicate that two-dimensional echocardiographic measurement of LA volume can be valuable in assessing the LA function, providing an alternative method for differentiating pseudo normal from true normal MFV pattern in clinical settings, although several technological shortcomings should be resolved.

Adult↗

Impact of coronary artery remodeling on misinterpretation of angiographic disease eccentricity: evidence from intravascular ultrasound.

This study was designed to examine the impact of coronary artery remodeling, enlargement or shrinkage, on the angiographic disease eccentricity. A total of 82 coronary sites from 73 patients with significant stenosis (>50%) were prospectively analyzed by both quantitative coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound. By quantitative coronary angiography, the maximal and minimal distances from the center of the stenosis to the outline of the vessel wall were measured, and the eccentricity index was calculated by the formula [(maximal-minimal)/maximal]. By intravascular ultrasound, the maximal and minimal distances from the center of the lumen to the leading edge of the second echogenic zone were measured, and the eccentricity index was calculated by the same formula. For identifying the vessel remodeling, the total vessel area that was determined by tracing the leading edge of the second echogenic zone was measured at the stenotic sites and the adjacent proximal and distal segments. By quantitative coronary angiography, the maximal and minimal distances were 1.76+/-0.6 and 0.97+/-0.3 mm, respectively, yielding an eccentricity index of 0.42+/-0.2. The maximal and minimal distances by intravascular ultrasound were 2.77+/-0.6 mm and 1.46+/-0.4 mm, respectively, yielding an eccentricity index of 0.45+/-0.2 (NS). Although the average eccentricity index was not different between the two methods, there was substantially no correlation between the eccentricity index determined by the two methods (r = 0.38, y = 0.43x+0.22). However, this correlation was significantly improved (r = 0.55, y = 0.73x+0.12, P<0.001) when 44 stenotic segments with remodeling were excluded for comparison. These results indicate that coronary artery remodeling could be a major contributing factor to angiographic misinterpretation of disease eccentricity. We suggest that intravascular ultrasound is a powerful method that can accurately determine diseases eccentricity as well as disease severity.

Cardiac Catheterization↗

Hemangioblastoma of the third ventricle.

A third ventricle tumor, in addition to a recurrent cerebellar hemangioblastoma, was found in a 47-year-old woman on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 5 years after operation of the cerebellar tumor. On MRI, the tumor was hypo- to isointense on T1-weighted images and hyperintense on T2-weighted images compared with the normal gray matter, and was strongly enhanced with gadolinium. The tumor was first treated with fractionated conventional external-beam radiation (5120 cGy in 16 fractions over a 4-week period), resulting in a slight decrease in size of the tumor. For a definite diagnosis and mass reduction, surgery was performed using an interhemispheric translamina terminalis approach, resulting in a partial removal of the tumor due to profuse bleeding. Histological diagnosis was hemangioblastoma. Hemangioblastomas of the third ventricle are extremely rare and have not been specifically discussed. We describe the detailed clinicopathological features of the present case together with the possible explanation for the development of this tumor in this rare location.

Cerebellar Neoplasms↗