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Biomedical subjects

T Aoki

Publications and source records attributed to T Aoki.

At least 793 records · Page 44Linked to original sources

[The effects of knowledge and its developmental differences on misconception of weight].

This study aims to examine developmental knowledge related to misconception about weight. Subjects from 5th to 7th graders were asked to reason about justifiable phenomena which never occur in science. After that, before judging weight addition tasks, subjects engaged in some knowledge-generating-tasks to examine which knowledge-generating-tasks relate to misconception. The main results were as follows: (1) Most subjects did not realize untruth about justifiable phenomena, (2) the knowledge which related to misconception were muscular-kinetic-feeling and balance-feeling about weight, and (3) awareness to knowledge-generating-tasks changed with age; 5th graders found the relation about every kind of knowledge-task on chance level responding and 6th and 7th graders found the relation with some justifiable knowledge. Additionally, some 7th graders were not deluded by any knowledge-generating-tasks. These results suggested misconception about weight might relate to inference from some kinds of everyday-knowledge without realizing the inconsistency with science to them. The developmental change of awareness to knowledge-generating-tasks were discussed in terms of coordination subjects' own theory and their use of knowledge.

Adolescent↗

Re-evaluation of skin lesion distribution in atopic dermatitis. Analysis of cases 0 to 9 years of age.

Distribution of skin lesions was studied in 1,012 patients under 10 years of age, with atopic dermatitis. Of these, 812 (80.2%) had an atopic history; 200 did not. Both categories were divided by age into five subgroups (3-5 months, 6-11 months, 1 year, 2-4 years and 5-9 years) and the incidence of lesions in each of 52 skin regions was compared between the positive and negative history groups and between different age groups. The results were as follows. 1. There was a change in predilection site, from the head (the scalp, face and peri-auricular area) to the neck and flexures (cubital and popliteal fossae) between 1 and 2 years of age. 2. The trunk (shoulders, chest, abdomen and back) was the most common predilection site in both infants and children. 3. Only the upper arm was affected more frequently on the external side than the internal side in all age groups. 4. The nose, mamillae, palms and feet were the least affected areas in all age groups. 5. Incidences in the positive history group were no higher than in the negative group.

Age Factors↗

Effect of short-term egg exclusion diet on infantile atopic dermatitis and its relation to egg allergy: a single-blind test.

A unique, single-blind, controlled trial of egg exclusion was performed in infants under 3 years of age, with atopic dermatitis, and/or their breast-feeding mothers. All subjects were put on an exclusion diet, but assessment of the effect of egg exclusion was made without knowing the results of allergy the tests. Results showed that there was a statistically significant correlation between the effect of egg exclusion and egg allergy, but only in infants 3-6 months old. Combination with other allergies did not seem to affect the results at this age. These findings indicate that egg exclusion is effective in ameliorating skin symptoms of atopic dermatitis only in early infancy and in the presence of egg allergy, irrespective of combination with other food allergies. This may be correlated to high RAST scores to egg at this age.

Child, Preschool↗

Antinociceptive effect of mexiletine in diabetic mice.

We examined the effect of mexiletine on the threshold for pain perception as determined by the application of mechanical noxious stimuli (tail-pinch) in diabetic mice. Mexiletine produced a pronounced analgesic effect in diabetic mice in a dose-dependent manner. Mexiletine (10(-5)M) significantly inhibited the K(+)-evoked release of substance P from the slices of spinal cord of diabetic mice. These results suggest that the reduction of release of substance P from the nociceptive afferent terminal in the spinal cord is involved in the mechanisms of mexiletine analgesia in diabetic mice.

Animals↗

[Treatment of gastric ulcers with proton pump inhibitors--long-term treatment].

Pronounced inhibition of acid secretion appears to induce an intragastric environment suitable for N-nitrosamine formation, hyper-gastrinemia, ECL cell hyperplasia and carcinoid tumor formation. Development of gastric cancer, however, has not been obvious in clinical and experimental studies, but oncongenicity studies indicate an increased risk of gastric cancer with long-term use of proton pump inhibitors in subjects with hyperplastic or other, changes in the gastric mucosa. The findings suggest that proton pump inhibitors should be used only for short term treatment.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

[The preventive effect of HRT on postmenopausal bone loss].

UNLABELLED: .625mg/day of conjugated estrogen was administered to women after menopause for five years to investigate the preventive effect of HRT on postmenopausal bone loss. Bone mineral content of subjects before and after HRT was measured by the MD (microdensitometry) method. Subjects were: Group I: Those given HRT for the first time (52 cases); Group II: Those who had had HRT for more than 5 years and then were given another 5 years treatment (34 cases); CONTROL: Those with no HRT (26 cases). In the controls, the average level of sigma GS/D decreased significantly (p less than 0.005) from 2.465 to 2.209 in 5 years, while the average sigma GS/D level increased significantly (p less than 0.005) from 2.462 to 2.532 in Group I, and from 2.536 to 2.539 in Group II. Average bone mineral content after 5 years shown by the % based on the initial bone mineral content as 100% decreased to 90.72% (9.28% decrease) in the controls, but increased to 102.91% in Group I, and 100.26% in Group II. The increase ratios were significantly (p less than 0.005) different in Groups I and II. Thus, HRT was seen to be very effective in preventing bone loss after menopause. The effect in Group II was weaker than that in Group I, but much stronger than in the controls.

Aged↗

[Results of patients in stage I and II primary lung cancer with curative resection].

We analyzed 91 patients who had curative resection from 1982 to 1989 for stage I and II primary lung cancer. The 5-year survival rates were 71.4% for stage I and 44.7% for stage II. The 5-year survival rates were 86.6% for T 1 N 0 M 0, 47.3% for T 2 N 0 M 0, 56.3% for T 1 N 1 M 0, and 37.9% for T 2 N 1 M 0. There was no cancer death in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of T 1 N 0 M 0. For stage I, tumor diameter was significant factor to influence survival. Although there was a statistically significant difference between stage I and II in patients with adenocarcinoma, there was no significant difference in those with squamous cell carcinoma. Chemotherapy had no significant improvement in survival for stage I and II lung cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Effects of serum bilirubin on determination of uric acid by the uricase-peroxidase coupled reaction.

We examined the possible effect of different bilirubin species, including unconjugated (Bu), sugar-conjugated (Bc), and authentic delta bilirubin (Bd) isolated from serum, on the direct enzymatic measurement of uric acid by using the uricase (EC 1.7.3.3) and peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) coupled reaction. Bc, isolated from human bile, produced the most interference with uric acid determination. Although the presence of human serum albumin reduced interference by Bu and Bc, albumin-bound Bc complex still produced greater interference than Bu. Interference with the peroxidase reaction by Bc covalently bound to serum albumin (Bd) was less than that by Bu. We examined this phenomenon by using serum-isolated Bd obtained by ammonium sulfate precipitation and ultrafiltration and by using commercially available ditaurobilirubin (DTB) and chemically synthesized Bd (via Woodward's reagent, WBd) as surrogates for bile-isolated Bc and natural Bd, respectively. DTB produced the same amount of interference as natural Bc, but the interference produced by DTB in the presence of serum albumin was not the same as that produced by natural Bc with albumin. Our synthetic Bd appears to be a reliable surrogate for natural Bd in testing for bilirubin interference.

Bilirubin↗

[A case of congenital long QT syndrome associated with T wave alternans].

A case was presented in which a rare T wave alternans occurred in association with congenital long QT syndrome. A 71-year-old woman, who had experienced several syncopal attacks per year for the previous forty years, was admitted for further evaluation of the syncope. She had a family history of sudden death (sister) and QT prolongation (son). Electrocardiogram showed a corrected QT interval of 0.68 seconds. Treadmill exercise-tolerance test revealed both T wave alternans immediately after exercise and torsades de pointes 150 seconds after exercise. The syncope was induced by the mental excitation. A prolonged corrected QT interval reduced from 0.70 seconds to 0.58 seconds by the correction of her serum potassium and magnesium. The effect of propranolol, verapamil, phenytoin or mexiletine on T wave alternans and ventricular arrhythmia was evaluated by the treadmill exercise-tolerance test. The treatment with propranolol was most effective.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

[Problems in ulcer surgery after the introduction of H2-receptor antagonists].

Recently, antisecretory drugs such as H2-receptor antagonists (H2-RA) or proton pump inhibitor have been used for peptic ulcer patients widely in Japan. However, there are possibilities that long term administration of H2-RA might cause changes in intragastric environment. The present study was designed to clarify the changes of surgical treatment in Japan Surgical Society training hospitals, before and after introduction of H2-RA. Serum gastrin and antral G-cell number was measured after administration of H2-RA (1 mg/kg 14 days continuous infusion) in rat. Also, acid secretion and gastrin response stimulated by adrenalin (40 ng/kg.min) were measured in duodenal ulcer patients. 1) In the view of surgical treatment, elective operation highly decreased after the introduction of H2-receptor antagonists, and showed the increase of the rate of emergency operation up to 70%. 2) Hypergastrinemia and antral G cell hyperplasia were observed after administration of H2-RA in rats. 3) Acid secretion stimulated by adrenalin which is considered as antral G cell dependent, showed a higher response in H2-RA treated cases than in those untreated. 4) Antrectomy was carried out in 43.4% of the patients treated with H2-RA versus 18.9% to the patients untreated.

Animals↗

[Effect of famotidine on gastrin cell, somatostatin cell, and prostaglandin E2 concentration of stomach in experimental pyloric stenosis model].

We investigated the effect of 4-weeks famotidine administration (15 mg/kg/day) on gastrin cell (G-cell), somatostatin cell (D-cell) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) of gastric mucosa in pyloric stenosis rats. As a result, the increase of G-cell number and serum gastrin level in pyloric stenosis rats were potentiated by famotidine administration. However, the increase of D-cell number in pyloric stenosis was remarkably abolished by famotidine administration, and G/D cell ratio was increased accordingly. Moreover, famotidine administration decreased PGE2 concentration in fundic mucosa of the stomach without altering PGE2 concentration in pyloric mucosa. Our results suggested that famotidine administration in pyloric stenosis had a possibility to worsen the balance of endocrine cell kinetics in stomach, and PGE2 in fundic mucosa would play a roll on the proliferation of D-cell in pyloric stenosis.

Animals↗

[Measurements of plasmin-alpha 2 plasmin inhibitor complex and FDP.D dimer levels in the fibrinolytic therapy of acute pulmonary thromboembolism].

The key enzyme for fibrinolysis is plasmin, which is converted from plasminogen by plasminogen activator. Activated plasmin lyses fibrinogen and fibrin to make fibrin degradation products(FDPs) and plasmin is inactivated immediately by alpha 2 plasmin inhibitor. As FDP.D dimer is derived solely from insoluble fibrin, FDP.D dimer is thought of as an index for clot lysis. We measured plasmin-alpha 2 plasmin inhibitor complex(PIC) and FDP.D dimer plasma levels in 3 patients with acute pulmonary thromboembolism treated with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator(tPA). Fifteen million units of tPA(TD-2061) were infused in one hour on the first, second and third hospital days. PIC and FDP.D dimer before tPA infusion showed slightly elevated values as compared to normal ranges. They increased markedly after tPA infusion. These findings suggest that the fibrinolytic system is slightly activated in the acute phase of pulmonary thromboembolism and also strongly activated by tPA infusion. Increased FDP D dimer suggests that fibrin clots are dissolved by activated plasmin. Improvement of arterial oxygen tension was observed after tPA infusion. As sustained higher FDP.D dimer means the existence of fibrin clots, heparin treatment should be continued for prevention of clot formation as long as FDP.D dimer shows higher value. In conclusion, PIC and FDP.D dimer are useful indices not only to detect the activated state of the fibrinolytic system but also to know clot lysis in tPA treatment.

Acute Disease↗

In vitro effects of light on serum bilirubin subfractions measured by high-performance liquid chromatography: comparison with four routine methods.

The effects of light on serum bilirubin subfractions in vitro were investigated by HPLC and four routine methods for bilirubin analysis. By HPLC, the rate of photodegradation of unconjugated bilirubin (Bu) was nearly twice that of monoconjugated bilirubin (mBc) and threefold that of diconjugated bilirubin (dBc); delta bilirubin (Bd) was most stable against photoirradiation. In the diazo method, the rate of photodegradation of direct bilirubin was almost the same as that of the sum of mBc, dBc, and Bd determined by the HPLC method. However, the rate of photodegradation of indirect bilirubin was significantly lower (P < 0.001) than that obtained by HPLC, because approximately 30% of the bilirubin photoproducts reacted with the diazo reagent as indirect bilirubin. The rate of photodegradation of total bilirubin determined by the direct spectrometric method was lower than that determined by the diazo method, but equal to that of the total peak areas of HPLC. In the Ektachem method, bilirubin photoproducts affected total bilirubin negligibly, and Bc and Bu positively, so that the value of Bd decreased. In the bilirubin oxidase method, bilirubin photoproducts were oxidized enzymatically by both the total and direct bilirubin reagents. We re-emphasize the importance of shielding serum from light to avoid generating bilirubin photoproducts that interfere with the accurate determination of serum bilirubin subfractions. We also recommend HPLC analysis as a standard method for bilirubin measurement.

Adult↗

[Neuromuscular blocking effect of ORG9426, a new non-depolarizing muscle relaxant, and its recovery with various antagonists in vitro].

We evaluated the neuromuscular blocking effect of ORG9426, a new non-depolarizing muscle relaxant, and its recovery by means of washout or by antagonists in vitro, using phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparations of rats. IC50 and IC90 of ORG9426 in single twitch were 10.62 +/- 0.58 microM and 15.75 +/- 0.95 microM; and those in train of four ratio were 9.04 +/- 0.38 microM and 11.87 +/- 0.42 microM, respectively. The potency of ORG9426 in vitro was compared with those of other non-depolarizing muscle relaxants. The order of potency among the non-depolarizing muscle relaxants was the following: d-tubocurarine greater than pipecuronium greater than pancuronium greater than vecuronium greater than ORG9426. There was no difference between ORG9426 and vecuronium in the recovery from block with washout, neostigmine, 4-aminopyridine, 3, 4-diaminopyridine, and edrophonium. In conclusion, the potency of ORG9426 is relatively low, and it can be easily antagonized by anti-cholinesterases and aminopyridines.

Aminopyridines↗

[Ocular manifestations in a case of infantile cystinosis].

A case of infantile cystinosis was reported. The diagnosis of cystinosis was made by the renal Fanconi syndrome and the ocular findings. The patient showed typical corneal and fundus changes associated with cystinosis. Corneal crystals and fundus pigmentary change were found early in life. The deposition of corneal crystals increased in the course of the disease, especially in the nasal and the temporal sides close to the limbus. By specular microscopy, the corneal crystals were needle-shaped and were larger and more numerous in the superficial layer of the stroma. The same shape of crystals ere found in the corneal endothelium, and the size of endothelial cells was markedly increased. There were also small crystals on the surface of the iris. The entire fundus showed a mottled appearance characterized by mixture of fine granular pigmentation and depigmentation associated with patchy depigmentation in the periphery. On the anterior surface of the retina, a glistening crystal appeared. As the crystal deposition in ocular tissues increases, even after successful peritoneal dialysis, eventual impairment of visual function may be expected.

Crystallization↗

[The effect of ionized calcium concentration on muscle contraction and on the effect of non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent].

The influence of serum ionized calcium (Ca2+) on the muscle contraction and on the effect of non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent, d-tubocurarine (dTc), was investigated. The isolated phrenic nerve-diaphragma preparation of the rat was stimulated directly and indirectly at 0, 0.4, 0.7, 1.4, 2.5 mM of total calcium concentration (Ca2+: 0, 0.39, 0.52, 1.12, 2.32 mM, respectively). With indirect stimulation, no contraction was observed from 0 to 0.4 mM of calcium, but the twitch tension returned to 100 percent of control at over 0.7 mM of calcium. However, with direct stimulation, the twitch tension was obtained up to 100 percent of control independent of Ca2+ concentration. The ED50 of dTc was correlated well with the serum Ca2+. These findings suggest that the decrease of serum Ca2+ concentration interferes with the muscle contraction and potentiates the effect of dTc. We speculate that the site of its action may be primarily prejunctional.

Animals↗