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Biomedical subjects

T Aso

Publications and source records attributed to T Aso.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

[Levels of endothelin-1 in maternal and cord plasma during pregnancy and delivery].

In order to elucidate the possible involvement of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the development of the feto-placental unit, plasma concentrations of immunoreactive ET-1 during pregnancy and delivery were measured in the current study. Forty-four pregnant women (8 in the 1st trimester, 8 in the 2nd trimester, 12 in the 3rd trimester and 16 at delivery), 6 at 1 month postpartum and 14 non-pregnant women volunteered to participate in this study. Plasma levels of immunoreactive ET-1 in all subjects were measured by specific radioimmunoassay. Plasma cortisol, prolactin and oxytocin levels during delivery were also measured by RIA. Although plasma ET-1 levels did not change during the 1st (1.3 +/- 0.4 pg/ml, mean +/- S.E.M., n = 8) or 2nd (1.7 +/- 0.3 pg/ml, n = 8) trimester, they were significantly (p less than 0.05) higher in the 3rd trimester (2.6 +/- 0.3 pg/ml, n = 12) than those of the non-pregnant controls (1.7 +/- 0.3 pg/ml, n = 14) and returned to the control levels within 1 month post-partum (1.8 +/- 0.1 pg/ml, n = 6). Maternal ET-1 levels before labor onset (2.3 +/- 0.4 pg/ml, n = 16), at delivery (3.0 +/- 0.7 pg/ml) and 24 hours post-partum (2.7 +/- 0.5 pg/ml) showed no significant differences among them. On the other hand, ET-1 levels in cord plasma (7.0 +/- 1.2 pg/ml) were significantly higher (p less than 0.05) than those in maternal plasma. Furthermore, there were no significant correlations between plasma ET-1 levels and those of other hormones (cortisol, prolactin and oxytocin) during delivery. From these results, we concluded that maternal plasma ET-1 levels significantly increased in the last trimester and returned to non-pregnant levels within one month post-partum.

Adult↗

The synthesis and release of gonadotropins in response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone of the rat anterior pituitary gland during weight reduction.

It is well recognized that weight reduction produces the suppression of serum LH but not FSH level in rodents. In order to clarify the mechanism by which the discrepancy between LH and FSH levels is brought about, the influence of weight loss on the pituitary function was explored using female rats. The changes of the pituitary response to GnRH and the basal secretion of gonadotropins with progressive weight loss were investigated by in vitro short-term incubation of the pituitary gland after prolonged weight loss in female Wistar rats. On the first day of diestrous and until day 14 of the diet, GnRH induced LH and FSH release from the pituitary and a decrease in pituitary content of them, but the total amount of gonadotropin in culture medium and pituitary tissue was not affected. On day 30 of the diet, the decrease in pituitary content disappeared. On day 60 LH release disappeared, whereas pituitary FSH and the total amount of gonadotropins were increased by GnRH. Non-stimulated FSH but not LH secretion per mg of pituitary was augmented during dieting. The data indicate that pituitary responsiveness to GnRH and non-stimulated FSH release were modified by weight loss: the LH-releasing action of GnRH was diminished, the gonadotropin-synthesizing action of GnRH was augmented, and non-stimulated FSH release was increased.

Animals↗

[A case with reconstruction of the floor of the oral cavity and mandibular region with the D-P flap after resection of giant keloid and radiation scar of the mandibular].

The floor of the oral cavity and mandibular of a 27-year-old female was reconstructed with the D-P flap after resection of a giant keloid in the submandibular region and a radiation scar of the mandibular. The mandibular was reconstructed with a transplantation graft of the iliac bone and the functional properties and appearance were good.

Adult↗

[Long-term remission of a case of Burkitt's lymphoma accompanied by cardiac tamponade treated by surgical resection and intensive chemotherapy].

A 26-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of abdominal mass. She became ileus and an emergency operation was consequently performed. A histological examination of the abdominal tumor indicated proliferation of undifferentiated lymphoblasts with intermingled histiocytes so called "starry sky appearance". The diagnosis was Burkitt's lymphoma. On the 4th post-operative day, a cardiac tamponade became evident. The pericardial effusion contained many lymphoblasts and the diagnosis was pericarditis due to the invasion of lymphoma cells. The pericarditis was successfully treated by infusion of doxycycline into the pericardial space following drainage. The patient responded to systemic chemotherapy with complete remission. 7 courses of systemic chemotherapy along with intrathecal infusions for CNS prophylaxis were subsequently carried out. A state of complete remission has continued for more than 13 months. Cardiac tamponade accompanied by Burkitt's lymphoma is quite rare and has not ever been reported in Japan in our knowledge. The efficacy of surgical treatment before systemic chemotherapy and the series of intrathecal infusions for CNS prophylaxis was demonstrated in this case.

Adult↗

[Effectiveness of synthetic calcitonin derivative (elcatonin) on the bone pain and serum calcium concentration in multiple myeloma].

Fifteen patients (8 male and 7 female) with multiple myeloma, who were admitted to our hospital between July 1986 and August 1988 and suffering from pain and hypercalcemia, were treated with synthetic calcitonin derivative (elcatonin: ECT). ECT was administered intravenously at a dose of 10-640 units twice daily. Seven patients were treated with ECT (ECT group), and eight patients received combination treatment with ECT and other form of chemotherapy (combination group). With regard to the pain score (PS), significant analgesic effects in both groups were observed during 1-4 week treatments (p less than 0.05). There were no significant differences in PS between two groups. Serum calcium levels in the combination group at 1 and 4 weeks were significantly lower than the initial value (p less than 0.05). Hypocalcemia was not seen in any of the patients. Urinary excretion of calcium at 1 week in ECT group was higher than the initial value (p less than 0.05). The observed toxicities of ECT were slight nausea and vomiting in only 2 patients. These findings suggest that ECT is an useful agent for the treatment of pain and hypercalcemia accompanied with multiple myeloma.

Aged↗

Molecular cloning of the cDNA coding for proline-rich protein (PRP): identity of PRP as C4b-binding protein.

Proline-rich protein (PRP) is a plasma protein with a high proportion of proline residues and possessing lipid-binding properties. In order to clarify its structure, a human liver cDNA library was screened using anti-PRP antiserum. Several overlapping phage cDNA clones were isolated and the total nucleotide sequence of the cDNA, 2178 bp in length, was analyzed. The amino acid composition of PRP deduced from the cDNA was essentially the same as that reported for PRP. In a homology search, the cDNA sequence was almost completely the same as the previously reported cDNA sequence of C4b-binding protein. Furthermore, the reported molecular weights of the two proteins under both reduced and unreduced conditions were quite alike. These findings indicate that PRP is identical with C4bp.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Report of a case of Herpes zoster].

Herpes Zoster is a viral disease of the skin and mucosa characterized by grouped vesicula eruptions and neuralgic pain along a peripheral nerve. A case of Herpes Zoster in the right region along the second and third trigeminal nerve branches of a 24-year-old male was reported. The first disorder appeared as a grouped vesicular eruption in the center of the lower lip. This was followed by a cutaneous lesion in the area of the right second trigeminal nerve branch. From the first day of hospitalization, the patient began receiving a daily dose of 2500mg of immunoglobulin. The administration of immunoglobulin, cured the oral and cutaneous lesion.

Adult↗

[Hepatocellular carcinoma treated with a curative segmentectomy five years after complete remission of acute myeloblastic leukemia].

Acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) was diagnosed in a 54-year-old male who had been known to carry a chronic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) from June, 1983. Prompt remission was achieved with combination chemotherapy of BHAC-DMP. Follow-up maintenance and an intensification of this chemotherapy had been given for five years. He was readmitted to our hospital in March, 1988 because a mass was detected in the right lobe of the liver by ultrasonography. His serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) level was found to be 180.1 ng/ml, and was diagnosed as having a hepatocellular carcinoma though there was no evidence of liver cirrhosis. A curative right hepatectomy was performed in May, 1988 after transcatheter arterial embolization and portal embolization. After resection of the tumor, the AFP level decreased to 10.7 ng/ml and no HbsAg was detected in the serum.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Fatal graft-versus-host disease following transfusion during open heart surgery.

We report fatal transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in a patient who was not severely immunosuppressed. A 58-year-old man received 800 ml of fresh whole blood from his son and an unrelated volunteer donor during open heart surgery. On the 10th day after the operation, he suddenly had a high fever, followed by generalized skin rash and liver dysfunction. Pancytopenia due to bone marrow aplasia developed a week later. A skin biopsy revealed a cutaneous lesion highly compatible with acute GVHD. The patient did not respond to high-dose methylprednisolone therapy, and died of multiple organ failure on the 18th day after the operation.

Graft vs Host Disease↗

[Effects of open-heart surgery on renal function].

Effects of open-heart surgery on renal function were studied in 38 patients who had uneventful postoperative course with no sign of acute renal failure. Of these, 19 underwent aorto-coronary bypass grafting (Group 1) and 19 underwent valve replacement (Group 2). During cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), renal plasma flow (RPF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) significantly decreased in both groups as compared to the preoperative values. The decreased GFR remained significantly low on the day of operation in both groups and returned to the preoperative level on the 1st postoperative day (POD) in group 1 and on the 3rd POD in group 2. On the other hand, plasma antidiuretic hormone (ADH) level markedly increased during CPB and remained significantly higher than the preoperative level through the 1st POD. Despite the decreased GFR and increased ADH, however, urinary flow markedly increased during CPB in both groups and remained at significantly higher level than the preoperative values through the 3rd POD in group 1 and through the 5th POD in group 2. Fractional excretion of sodium significantly increased during CPB in both groups and remained high through the 1st POD in group 1 and through the 3rd POD in group 2. These data demonstrate that the renal function of urine concentration is disturbed in the early phase following open-heart surgery even in the patients who have uneventful postoperative course.

Adult↗

Saccadic eye movements evoked by microstimulation of the fastigial nucleus of macaque monkeys.

1. Systematic exploration throughout the deep cerebellar nuclei and white matter disclosed that the region from which saccadic eye movements (saccades) were evoked with weak currents (less than 10 microA) was confined to the fastigial nucleus and the adjacent white matter. 2. When an electrode for stimulation was advanced in the cerebellum, saccades were evoked in the direction of the stimulated side (ipsilateral saccades) as it entered the low-threshold region. In some tracks, particularly when the electrode was advanced in the medial portion of the fastigial nucleus, the direction of the evoked saccades changed from the ipsilateral to the contralateral. 3. The mappings with microstimulation disclosed that the ipsilateral saccades were elicited from a relatively wide region that included almost the full extent of the fastigial nucleus. The low-threshold region continued in the white matter caudally into vermal lobule VII and rostrally into the dorsal aspect of the brachium conjunctivum. On the other hand, the contralateral saccades were evoked from a relatively circumscribed region in the ventromedial portion of the fastigial nucleus. 4. The reversal in the direction of the horizontal component occurred always in a narrow zone in the core of the fastigial nucleus. The caudal part of this zone coincided with an ellipsoidal region where anterogradely labeled axons of the Purkinje cells terminated when HRP was injected into vermal lobule VII. 5. When bicuculline (0.2-1 microgram) was injected in the ellipsoidal region, the ipsilateral saccades evoked from the dorsocaudal aspect of the region were suppressed for several hours. On the other hand, the contralateral saccades evoked from the ventromedial portion of the fastigial nucleus were either unchanged or enhanced. 6. Because the ipsilateral saccades were suppressed by bicuculline, they were most probably evoked by stimulation of the presynaptic component of gamma-amino-butyric acid-(GABA) mediated synapses, namely the axons of Purkinje cells. 7. Because stimulation of the presynaptic component of the inhibitory synapses evoked ipsilateral saccades, activation of the postsynaptic component would evoke contralateral saccades. In fact, the distribution of the fastigial sites yielding contralateral saccades coincided with the course of axons of fastigial neurons arising in the ellipsoidal region. It is most likely, therefore, that the contralateral saccades were evoked by stimulation of fastigial neurons.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Effects of chronic sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia on menstrual cycles of normal women.

We investigated the influence of chronic (27-65 days) sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia on the menstrual cycles of four normal women. The hyperprolactinemia (206.4 ng/mL, the average of the mean values of each subject obtained by sulpiride treatment) suppressed the LH surge and the secretion of plasma estradiol-17 beta and progesterone to their basal levels. The results suggest that the endocrine changes in normal women with sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia are similar to those in women with spontaneous hyperprolactinemia. Sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia may be useful as a model for studying spontaneous hyperprolactinemia.

Adult↗

The efficacy of every-other-day administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in women with hypothalamic amenorrhea: gonadotropin-releasing hormone treatment can induce clomiphene responsiveness.

The efficacy of every-other-day gonadotropin-releasing hormone administration was investigated in clomiphene-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) resistant, anovulatory women with hypogonadotropism or normogonadotropism. One hundred micrograms of gonadotropin-releasing hormone was injected intramuscularly three times a week for four weeks (one course). Ten of 11 hypogonadotropic patients responded to clomiphene or clomiphene-hCG after one to three courses of gonadotropin-releasing hormone treatment. Once the patients were converted to clomiphene responsiveness, ovulatory response continued without additional treatment, and all four patients who desired pregnancy conceived. Among eight normogonadotropic women, four with amenorrhea of one year or less became clomiphene-hCG responders after one or two courses of gonadotropin-releasing hormone treatment. They were subsequently treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone after every one or two ovulatory cycles. One of the four women who desired to be pregnant conceived. We conclude that intramuscular gonadotropin-releasing hormone treatment is effective in inducing responsiveness to clomiphene, especially in hypogonadotropic anovulatory women. In normogonadotropic women, gonadotropin-releasing hormone treatment may be useful in those who have been amenorrheic for less than a year.

Amenorrhea↗