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Biomedical subjects

T Fujimoto

Publications and source records attributed to T Fujimoto.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of basal ganglia in chronic schizophrenia.

Proton spectra in the regions of the right and left basal ganglia were studied in 14 medicated patients with chronic schizophrenia using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS). Ratios of N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) to choline-containing compounds (Cho) were significantly reduced in the bilateral basal ganglia regions compared to normal subjects. The relative level of Cho was increased in the left basal ganglia region in comparison to normal subjects. This finding suggests the presence of disturbances in phospholipid metabolism in the basal ganglia. The level of NAA was decreased in the bilateral basal ganglia regions, which may indicate neuronal dysfunction. The 1H MRS study demonstrated dysfunctions in the basal ganglia regions in medicated patients with chronic schizophrenia.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Reduction in hippocampal formation volume is caused mainly by its shortening in chronic schizophrenia: assessment by MRI.

We performed contiguous, 1 mm thick, magnetic resonance imaging scans in 18 men with chronic schizophrenia and in 18 age-matched healthy subjects to test in living patients the findings of a previous postmortem study. The schizophrenic patients showed bilaterally shortening (left, -6%; right, -9%) and volume reduction (left, -9%; right, -11%) of the hippocampal formation (HF). Volumes of HF correlated positively with HF length in the schizophrenic patients. The reduction in bilateral HF volumes was small after controlling for HF lengths (left, -3%; right, -3%). In schizophrenic patients, significant negative correlations were found bilaterally between the length of HFs and the scores for attention, bizarre behavior, and positive formal thought disorder. The results suggest that the volume reduction seen in the HFs of schizophrenic patients was caused mainly by a shortening of the HF and that these clinical symptoms may be associated with shorter HF length.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Stapes fixation associated with symphalangia.

We describe a 10-year-old boy and his 9-year-old sister, both of whom had bilateral hearing loss associated with ankylosis of the proximal interphalangeal joints (symphalangia). They had no other abnormal findings except hearing loss and ankylosis of the joints of some fingers and toes on systemic examination. The cause of conductive hearing loss in both cases was bony fusion between the stapes and the bone of the oval window niche. There were no other anatomical abnormalities in the middle or the external ear. The patients' hearing improved markedly after stapes surgery. Histopathologic examination of the stapes revealed an abnormal zone of ossification near the anterior annular ligament and calcification in the annular ligament, which seemed to be the cause of the stapes fixation.

Child↗
PubMed1996

Changes in left ventricular inflow and pulmonary venous flow velocities during preload alteration in dilated heart.

The aim of the present study was to assess the changes of left ventricular inflow (LVIF) and pulmonary venous flow (PVF) velocities during preload alteration in 30 patients with dilated heart (LV end-diastolic dimension > or = 6.0 cm) and impaired LV systolic function (% fractional shortening of the LV < or = 25%). We performed transesophageal pulsed Doppler echocardiography during lower body negative (LBNP, -40 mmHg) and positive pressure (LBPP, +40 mmHg) in 10 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, in 20 with old myocardial infarction, and in 22 healthy controls. Eight of the patients showed a pseudonormalization (compliance failure) pattern, and 22 showed a decreased early diastolic wave and compensatorily increased atrial systolic wave (relaxation failure) pattern of LVIF in the control state. Mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) was greater in the compliance failure group than in the relaxation failure group in the control state. LVIF in 6 of the 22 patients with the relaxation failure pattern changed to the compliance failure pattern during LBPP, and that in 3 of 8 patients in the compliance failure group changed to the relaxation failure pattern during LBNP. The 6 patients with a change from the relaxation failure to the compliance failure pattern showed significantly higher peak diastolic and atrial systolic PVFs during LBPP than in the control state, and significantly higher PCWPs in the control state than the 16 patients with no change in LVIF. These findings suggest that the compliance failure and relaxation failure patterns of LVIF are readily interchangeable in various hemodynamic conditions, and that pattern analysis of LVIF and PVF during preload alteration is useful for understanding the hemodynamic severity and for evaluating preload reduction therapy in the dilated heart.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed1996

In vitro maturation and transmission electron microscopic observation of horse oocytes after vitrification.

The study was designed to examine the suitability of immature horse oocytes for vitrification. Immature oocytes derived from slaughtered horse ovaries were transferred to a vitrification solution (EFS; 40% ethylene glycol, 18% Ficoll, and 0.3 M sucrose in modified phosphate-buffered saline) directly (Groups 1 and 4) or were first exposed to 20% ethylene glycol solution for 10 min (Groups 2 and 5) or 20 min (Groups 3 and 6). Oocytes were handled at 20 degrees C (Groups 1, 2, and 3) or 30 degrees C (Groups 4, 5, and 6). After vitrification and warming, their viability was assessed by maturation culture for 32 h. The percentages of oocytes reaching the metaphase II stage after the in vitro maturation in Groups 2, 3, 5, and 6 (16.0, 16.7, 10.0. and 8.2%, respectively) were higher than those in Groups 1 and 4 (2.2 and 1.9%, respectively). In untreated control oocytes, 55.6% completed meiosis in vitro. Transmission electron microscopy was used to compare the fine structure of vitrified oocytes (treated as Group 2) with those of untreated control oocytes and EFS-exposed, nonvitrified oocytes (n = 10 each). The viability of EFS-exposed oocytes, assessed by in vitro maturation, was 27.7%. Vitrification induced some ultrastructural changes, such as the swelling of mitochondria together with reduced matrix density, the destruction of communication between oocytes and their surrounding cumulus cells, and the presence of vacuoles located in the periphery of the ooplasm. However, these changes were not always observed. Exposure of the oocytes to EFS solution induced similar ultrastructural changes in mitochondria and cell-cell communication but to a lesser extent. However, the exposure to EFS induced vacuoles in the periphery of the ooplasm to the same extent as did the vitrification. Thus, immature horse oocytes can be cryopreserved by vitrification with EFS solution. Reduced viability of EFS-exposed and/or vitrified horse oocytes may relate to morphological changes such as destruction of the intercellular communications between cumulus cells and oocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Experimental selective segmental ablation of rat liver by transportal ethanol injection.

For use in the treatment of malignant hepatic tumors, we undertook selective segmental ablation of the liver by transportal ethanol injection, first studying its efficacy and safety in rats. We forced a 4:1 mixture of ethanol and contrast medium from a syringe into hepatic tissues via a branch of the portal vein in 80 Wistar rats. The amount of ethanol injected was from 0.05 to 0.60 ml. Soon after the injection, the hepatic segment treated with ethanol was yellowish-white with a distinct outline. Two to three weeks after the injection, the segment was completely necrotic. The findings when a mixture of ethanol and India ink was injected suggested that the necrosis was a direct result of the ethanol. The portal branch into which the injection was made was completely obstructed immediately after the injection. The maximum ethanol concentration in the peripheral blood was 0.4 mg/ml. No histological changes were found in any other organ. Liver and kidney function was almost unaffected. This technique might be useful clinically for the treatment of malignant hepatic tumors.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin plus interleukin-2 and/or granulocyte/macrophage-colony-stimulating factor enhances immunocompetent cell production of interferon-gamma, which inhibits B16F10 melanoma cell growth in vitro.

Although immunotherapy with bacillus Calmette Guérin (BCG) is an established adjuvant treatment for malignant melanoma, the mechanism of its role in this process is unclear. To investigate the possible contribution of tumor-inhibitory cytokines induced by BCG, B16F10 melanoma cell growth in culture was assessed in response to purified cytokines and conditioned media of BCG-stimulated splenocytes. Interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) was the most potent single agent (IC50 approximately 50 pg/ml). Tumor necrosis factor alpha was substantially weaker (IC50 > 10 ng/ml) but provided synergy with IFN gamma. None of the other cytokines such as interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, or granulocyte/macrophage-colony-stimulating factor had direct antitumor activity against B16F10 melanoma cells. However, when IL-2 and/or GM-CSF were combined with BCG either by exogenous addition or through endogenous production by novel cytokine-secreting recombinant BCG (rBCG), a substantial increase in INF gamma production by splenocytes was observed. Antitumor activity of this conditioned medium directly correlated with IFN gamma concentration and was completely blocked by neutralizing antibody to IFN gamma. These results suggest that BCG may exert part of its antitumor action on melanoma through the induction of IFN gamma, which can be greatly enhanced through the concomitant addition of IL-2 and/or GM-CSF. Furthermore, by utilizing rBCG that secrete these cytokines, it may be possible to potentiate the antitumor effect of BCG directly at the site of BCG inoculation.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy in schizophrenia: correlation between membrane phospholipid metabolism in the temporal lobe and positive symptoms.

1. To determine any correlations between phosphorus metabolites in the temporal lobes and clinical symptoms in schizophrenic patients, the authors performed 31phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy in 31 medicated patients and age- and sex- matched normal subjects. 2. Schizophrenic patients demonstrated an increased level of phosphodiesters (PDE) in the temporal lobes bilaterally and a decreased level of beta-adenosine triphosphate (beta-ATP) in the left temporal lobe. 3. A significant positive correlation was observed between the level of PDE in the left temporal lobe and the score of positive symptoms on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. 4. These results suggest that altered membrane phospholipid metabolism in the left temporal lobe is associated with neuroleptic-resistant positive symptoms in schizophrenic patients.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1996

Sibling occurrence of biliary atresia and biliary dilatation.

Familial occurrence of extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA) or biliary dilatation has been reported; however, the genetic influences on these disorders are still obscure. The authors previously reported the occurrence of biliary dilatation and EHBA in sisters, which is extremely rare. Recently, a similar pair of sisters was treated; one had pancreaticobiliary maljunction with minimal dilatation of the common bile duct, and the other also had EHBA. The authors' investigations suggest that there may be common etiologic factors for EHBA and biliary dilatation, such as pancreaticobiliary maljunction; however, other factors are required to complete the process and cause biliary atresia.

Bile Ducts↗
PubMed1996

Probable BCG osteomyelitis of the hard palate: a case report.

A 4-year-old child with probable multifocal BCG osteomyelitis is reported. The lesions in the skull, clavicula, humerus, ribs, fibula, calcaneus, metatarsus, and hard palate were mainly osteolytic and healed rapidly with antituberculotic therapy. This is the first time that involvement of the hard palate has been described.

Antibiotics, Antitubercular↗
PubMed1996

Oligoclonal accumulation of T cells in peripheral blood from patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

To determine whether clonal T cells accumulate in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), we performed single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis to detect T-cell receptor (TCR) beta-chain usage of peripheral T cells. We detected significantly more oligoclonal T cells (15.5 +/- 8.9 bands representative for clonal T-cell expansions) in peripheral blood from ITP patients than from healthy donors (2.8 +/- 2.6 bands). Frequently used V beta genes in these accumulated T cells in ITP were V beta 3, 6, 10, 13.1 and 14. To determine whether these bands were derived from clonal T cells, presumably in a preactivated state, we established some T-cell clones (expressing CD4 and TCR V beta 6. 13.1. or 14) by nonspecific stimulation from patients peripheral mononuclear cells, and examined their clonotypes. Clonal identities for three out of seven clones tested were confirmed using SSCP analyses to compare the migration of their beta-chain complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) cDNAs, expanded by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with those from peripheral blood. Therefore, distinctive T-cell clones accumulated in the periphery in ITP and they may be related to the autoimmune-mediated destruction of platelets.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

IL-6 mRNA synthesis by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in patients with chronic renal failure.

We measured levels of IL-6 mRNA in PBMC obtained from patients with chronic renal failure, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PBMC were isolated from 45 patients on haemodialysis (HD) at the start of HD. PBMC were also isolated from 35 patients on HD at the end of HD, 23 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), 24 undialysed patients with chronic renal failure (CRF), and 19 healthy controls. Total RNA was extracted from PBMC with RNA zol and reverse transcribed into cDNA. To prepare samples containing identical amounts of beta-actin cDNA, we performed competitive PCR by co-amplifying serial dilutions of mutant templates containing a single point mutation which generated a unique Eco RI site. Next, to measure IL-6 cDNA semiquantitatively in the samples containing identical amounts of beta-actin (100 pg), we performed PCR amplification using 2 fg of the IL-6 mutant template containing a unique Eco RI site. Higher levels of IL-6 mRNA in the PBMC were observed in the HD patients than in the CAPD patients and healthy controls. The levels of IL-6 mRNA in the PBMC at the end of HD were not significantly higher than those at the start of HD. These results suggest that the dialysis session itself did not significantly affect IL-6 mRNA levels in the PBMC, but that chronic stimulation by maintenance HD may be associated with higher levels of IL-6 mRNA observed in HD patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Transient elevation of nerve growth factor content in the rat hippocampus and frontal cortex by chronic ethanol treatment.

The nerve growth factor (NGF) content in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of chronic ethanol-treated rats was measured and compared with that of control rats, using a two-site enzyme immunoassay (EIA) system. The different time periods of chronic ethanol treatment caused transient elevation of the NGF content in both the hippocampus and frontal cortex. The NGF content in the hippocampus was significantly elevated in rats undergoing ethanol treatment of 2 weeks and 1 month. Nerve growth factor content of the 1 month treatment was higher than that of the 2 week treatment. However, a 3 month administration of ethanol reduced the NGF content to the control level. The NGF content in the frontal cortex increased significantly in the 2 week administration, but decreased to the control level in the 1 month administration. The increase of NGF may be caused by the proliferation of glial cells or the enhancement of neuronal production of NGF.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Hypoxic contraction of contractile interstitial cells isolated from bovine lung.

Although contractile interstitial cells (CIC) in the alveolar septum have been suggested to be involved in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV), direct demonstration of cellular contraction under hypoxia has been lacking. To achieve this, we purified CIC from collagenase-dissociated bovine lung cells and examined the response of these cells to hypoxia. Prostaglandin (PG) F synthase served as a marker of CIC, and the isolated PGF synthase-positive cells were shown to preserve the ultrastructural features characteristic of CIC, most notably bundles of microfilaments. Isolated CIC seeded onto collagen gel disks became embedded and formed a lattice network with collagen fibrils. Exposure of these CIC-bearing gels to hypoxia (PO2 = 20-40 Torr) evoked a reversible reduction in gel volume, as assessed by measuring the surface area of the gel disks photographically. Thus CIC were shown to contract under hypoxia, providing the supportive evidence for the involvement of CIC in HPV.

Animals↗