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Biomedical subjects

T Hori

Publications and source records attributed to T Hori.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Prodromal signs and clinical factors influencing outcome in patients with intraventricular rupture of purulent brain abscess.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate prodromal signs and clinical factors influencing the prognosis in patients with intraventricular rupture of brain abscess (IVROBA) to prevent and manage this catastrophic condition. METHODS: In this study, 33 consecutive patients with IVROBA diagnosed by computed tomography (CT) were treated. Basic and therapeutic parameters were evaluated as independent predictive factors of a poor prognosis by using univariate analysis. The factors were statistically analyzed based on the interval between initial symptoms and IVROBA. RESULTS: Patients with a good outcome were younger (<21 yr old) (P < 0.003) and had fewer complications after IVROBA (P < 0.03). For the most part, these patients had undergone aspiration for brain abscess with ventricular drainage combined with the immediate administration of appropriate intravenous and intrathecal antibiotics (P < 0.02). In just a short time, abscesses located in the parieto-occipital region ruptured into the ventricle (P < 0.004), and those with nonsterile cultures (P < 0.01) developed into IVROBA. Just before IVROBA, patients had severe headaches, signs of meningeal irritation, and a rapidly deteriorating clinical condition within 10 days after the signs of meningeal irritation developed. A CT scan obtained before IVROBA ascertained localized enhancement of the ventricular wall adjacent to the abscess. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that signs of meningeal irritation and localized enhancement of the ventricular wall adjacent to the abscess, as observed on CT scans, preceded IVROBA. To decrease the mortality rate associated with purulent brain abscesses, signs forewarning of IVROBA should be recognized, and aggressive management of IVROBA should be initiated. Aggressive CT-guided aspiration of deep-seated abscesses, particularly in the parieto-occipital region, at the time forewarning signs of IVROBA are observed lead to the prevention of IVROBA and an improvement in outcome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[A case of fatal herpes encephalitis presenting massive cerebral hematoma].

A 53-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of headache and disturbance of consciousness. She was afebrile. No inflammatory reaction was identified on serologic examination. Radiological findings showed acute-subacute, massive intracerebral hemorrhage in the right temporal lobe, compressing the brain stem contra-laterally. On the day of admission, she underwent a right temporal craniotomy for the removal of the mass lesion. The resected brain tissue demonstrated a small hemorrhage and edema accompanied by the infiltration of lymphoid cells into the subarachnoid space. Several days after surgery, the patient became lethargic and showed urinary incontinence. Late onset of fever and CSF findings suggested she was suffering from viral encephalitis. Serological findings, however, disclosed no antibody production against HSV, HZV, or CMV. For the diagnosis, a biopsy of the brain was carried out and herpes encephalitis was subsequently proved. Unfortunately, her condition deteriorated quickly and she died without anti-viral treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

[Relationship of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection to severity of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with chronic coronary artery disease and with normal coronary arteries].

OBJECTIVES: Recent studies have demonstrated an association between infection with Chlamydia (C.) pneumoniae and coronary artery disease. However, the association is less clear in the Japanese population. The relationship of C. pneumoniae infection to severity of coronary atherosclerosis was investigated in patients with chronic coronary artery disease and with normal coronary arteries. METHODS: Serum levels of IgA and IgG antibodies to C. pneumoniae outer membrane complex were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and C-reactive protein (CRP) analyses in 130 patients who underwent coronary angiography. Patients with unstable angina and recent myocardial infarction were excluded. Results were divided into three groups according to Gensini coronary score (GCS): normal (n = 19, GCS = 0); mild atherosclerosis (n = 56, GCS = 1-19); and severe atherosclerosis (n = 55, GCS > or = 20). RESULTS: Cut off indices of IgA and IgG in the atherosclerosis groups (severe: 1.53 +/- 0.72 and 1.67 +/- 0.97, mild: 1.58 +/- 0.92 and 1.42 +/- 0.86, respectively) were higher than in the normal group (1.22 +/- 0.59 and 1.28 +/- 0.82), but there were no significant differences. There were no correlations between indices of IgA and IgG, and GCS. The normal CRP group (n = 118, < 0.3 mg/dl) and the high CRP group (n = 12, > or = 0.3 mg/dl) showed no differences in IgA and IgG indices and GCS. CONCLUSIONS: Serum antibody indices against C. pneumoniae are not associated with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis in chronic stable coronary artery disease.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

[Relationship between endothelial dysfunction and nitric oxide production in young male smokers].

OBJECTIVES: Endothelial function in the brachial arteries is impaired in smokers. However, little is known about this condition in young adult men. The relationship between nitric oxide(NO) production and the endothelial function was investigated in young smokers and compared with non-smokers. METHODS: Flow-mediated vasodilation of the brachial artery during reactive hyperemia was examined in 10 young smokers(mean age 31 years) and 12 control subjects(mean age 28 years). The vasodilator response in the brachial artery was measured by ultrasonography, and blood samples were obtained from the right cephalic vein. Blood samples were taken at baseline, 30 sec after cuff deflation, and before and 5 min after 0.3 mg of nitroglycerin administration. Blood flow was calculated by multiplying mean flow velocity and vessel cross-sectional area. Plasma NOx(nitrate + nitrite) levels were measured, and the percentage change of NOx production(delta NOx) was calculated as follows: delta NOx(%) = [(NOx concentration at peak flow-mediated vasodilation or after 0.3 mg nitroglycerin administration) - baseline NOx concentration)] x 100/baseline NOx concentration. RESULTS: Percentage changes in diameter of the brachial artery, NOx production and delta NOx in response to nitroglycerin were not statistically different between the two groups(smokers: 27.6 +/- 8.0 mumol/l, control subjects: 34.0 +/- 8.7 mumol/l). However, percentage change of flow-mediated vasodilation during reactive hyperemia in the young smokers was significantly smaller than that in the control subjects(4.8 +/- 2.7%, 9.1 +/- 5.3%, respectively, p < 0.05). Moreover, delta NOx during reactive hyperemia in the smokers was significantly smaller than that in the control subjects(388.8 +/- 90.2%, 738.0 +/- 284.5%, respectively, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The impaired response to reactive hyperemia in young smokers might be associated with decreases in flow-dependent NO production.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Effect of percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy for the preservation of sinus rhythm in patients with mitral stenosis].

OBJECTIVES: Atrial fibrillation is frequently associated with mitral stenosis and is considered to be an unfavorable factor for the long-term prognosis. The efficacy of percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy(PTMC) was examined for the preservation of sinus rhythm in patients with mitral stenosis after PTMC. METHODS: Long-term clinical data after PTMC were obtained from 71 patients who had undergone PTMC from March 1989 to September 1999. Eighteen patients in sinus rhythm before PTMC were divided into two groups: the SR group(n = 5) who remained in sinus rhythm, and the Af group(n = 13) who showed change from sinus rhythm to persistent or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after PTMC. RESULTS: Age, sex, mitral valve area(1.4 +/- 0.3 vs 1.2 +/- 0.3 cm2), mean mitral pressure gradient(14.3 +/- 5.5 vs 12.6 +/- 5.9 mmHg), mean left atrial pressure(15.9 +/- 7.6 vs 19.0 +/- 7.7 mmHg), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure(7.5 +/- 2.8 vs 9.3 +/- 3.9 mmHg), left ventricular end-diastolic volume index(77 +/- 13 vs 82 +/- 14 ml/m2), left ventricular ejection fraction(60 +/- 6% vs 55 +/- 4%) and cardiac output(5.1 +/- 0.4 vs 4.9 +/- 0.8 l/m2) before PTMC were not different between the two groups. Changes in mean mitral pressure gradient, mean left atrial pressure and cardiac output immediately after PTMC were not different statistically. Mitral valve area immediately after PTMC was significantly greater in the SR group compared to the Af group(2.3 +/- 0.3 vs 1.8 +/- 0.3 cm2, p < 0.05). The change in mitral valve area was also greater in the SR group(1.0 +/- 0.2 vs 0.6 +/- 0.4 cm2, p < 0.05), but there was no statistical difference in the percentage change of mitral valve area between before and immediately after PTMC(SR group 78 +/- 35% vs Af group 50 +/- 35%). End-diastolic pressure, end-diastolic volume index and ejection fraction immediately after PTMC were not statistically different. CONCLUSIONS: The final mitral valve area immediately after PTMC in the patients with mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm, but not the changes of mean mitral pressure gradient, mean left atrial pressure or cardiac output, is important for the maintenance of sinus rhythm.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[A case of thrombosed arteriovenous malformation in the brain stem].

A rare operative case of thrombosed arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in the brain stem was reported focusing on its differential diagnosis from cavernous malformation. A 49-year-old woman had developed pontine hemorrhage twice during the last two years. She was diagnosed by neurologists as having cavernous malformation in the brain stem, and then referred to our institute. Neurological examinations showed left hemi motor and sensory disturbance, right abducent palsy and right auditory disturbance. A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a high density mass in the brain stem considered as a hematoma with slight enhancement. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a high intensity mass in T1 and T2 weighted MRI with marginal hemosiderin rim, but neither flow void sign nor enhancement effect was detected. Angiography depicted no abnormal vasculature in the posterior fossa. The patient underwent surgical resection of the lesion 43 days after a second hemorrhage. Midline sub-occipital craniotomy and the infrafacial route were chosen. Surgery was troubled by arterial bleeding, and pathological examination revealed a thrombosed AVM. She newly developed right facial palsy, right abducent palsy and disturbance of right conjugate gaze, but she is recovering step by step. Although the radiological feature of thrombosed AVM in the brain stem is similar to that of cavernous malformation, the operative procedure for thrombosed AVM is very difficult due to aggressive arterial bleeding that easily leads to surgical injury in the small surgical corridor in the brain stem. We reported a rare case that was pathologically well identified as thrombosed AVM in the brain stem focusing on its differential diagnosis and surgical treatment.

Arteriovenous Malformations↗
PubMed2001

[Significance of soluble thrombomodulin in the coronary circulation of patients with coronary artery disease].

OBJECTIVES: The relationship between plasma levels of soluble thrombomodulin, a probable marker for endothelial damage, and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis was investigated. METHODS: Plasma soluble thrombomodulin levels were evaluated in 160 patients(mean age 62 +/- 11 years) who underwent coronary angiography. Blood samples were obtained from the peripheral vein, ostium of the left coronary artery and coronary sinus. The levels of plasma thrombomodulin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The change of thrombomodulin level in the coronary circulation (delta TM) was calculated as the coronary sino-arterial difference. Patients were classified into four groups according to the number of diseased vessels, and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis was evaluated with the modified Gensini score. RESULTS: Coronary sinus levels of thrombomodulin were significantly higher in the two or more vessel disease(VD) groups than in the no or one VD groups(p < 0.05). delta TM were significantly higher in the 2VD than in the 0VD groups(p < 0.05), and higher in the 3VD than in the 0VD or 1VD groups(p < 0.05). delta TM showed positive correlation with Gensini score for left coronary arteries(r = 0.347, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The increment of thrombomodulin across the coronary circulation was significantly correlated with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis, suggesting a close association between the progression of coronary atherosclerotic stenosis and damage to the endothelial surface.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

[Rheological characteristics of the aneurysm at the middle cerebral artery bifurcation].

We performed a retrospective clinical study to estimate the morphological index such as aspect ratio (aneurysm depth/neck) and area ratio (ratio of the cross-sectional area of bifurcated arteries) of 64 cases with saccular aneurysms (ruptured aneurysms: 41, unruptured aneurysms: 23) at the bifurcation of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and made a flow visualization study using a flat three dimensional acrylic aneurysm model to define the flow characteristics in conditions similar to those obtained from the clinical study. The mean aspect ratio and area ratio of the ruptured and unruptured aneurysm cases were 2.81 +/- 1.45, 2.52 +/- 0.91 and 1.56 +/- 0.59, 1.73 +/- 0.38. These respective values differ statistically. The area ratio of the MCA bifurcation with no aneurysm was 1.25 +/- 0.35. This value was also statistically different from the ruptured aneurysm case. The visualization study was performed changing the neck size and flow ratio into the peripheries to simulate various aspect ratio and flow ratio into peripheries. The results showed that intraanerysmal flow was definitely influenced by aspect ratio and area ratio. The aspect ratio over 2.0 and area ratio below 2.0 failed to drive the inflow inside the aneurysms and developed as a stagnant area in the dome side. The morphological index of aspect ratio and area ratio reflected the flow characteristics in the aneurysm and was statistically different in ruptured and unruptured aneurysm cases. The unruptured aneurysms with an aspect ratio of more than 1.6 and an area ratio of more than 2.0 must be followed up, because of the risk that they might rupture in the near future.

Aneurysm, Ruptured↗
PubMed2001

Intratubal transplantation of early canine embryos.

It has been reported previously that intrauterine transplantation of canine embryos is possible. In this study, the possibility of intratubal transplantation of early canine embryos was investigated. Beagles at ovulation +/- 1 day estimated from peripheral blood progesterone concentrations were used as embryo donors and recipients. The Beagles (n = 13) were mated 1-4 days after ovulation and embryos were collected 1-3 days after mating (3-7 days after ovulation) by tubal flushing or salpingectomy. Embryos were transplanted using a glass tube or catheter into the upper or lower uterine tubes at 1.5 and 5.0 cm from the fimbriae tubae, respectively. The mean embryo yield from three bitches from which embryos were collected by tubal flushing was 28.2%. Embryos collected from ten bitches by salpingectomy were at the syngamy to eight-cell stages of development, and the mean yield was 95%. Embryos (1-7 per bitch) were transplanted into the upper uterine tube of seven recipient bitches and to the lower uterine tube of eight recipient bitches. It was found that no bitches in which embryos were transplanted into the upper uterine tubes became pregnant, whereas four bitches (50%) in which embryos were transplanted into the lower uterine tubes became pregnant (P < 0.05, chi-squared test). The success of embryo transfer was not affected by differences in embryo stage or day of ovulation. In conclusion, it is possible to impregnate bitches by transplanting early canine embryos into the lower uterine tubes.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Intratubal insemination with fresh semen in cats.

There have been few reports of artificial insemination using fresh feline semen because of difficulties in collecting semen. It has been shown previously that the number of spermatozoa required for fertilization of cats by intravaginal insemination and unilateral intrauterine horn insemination are 8.0 x 10(7) and 8.0 x 10(6), respectively. There have been no reports of intratubal insemination of cats. Therefore, a study was designed to determine the number of spermatozoa necessary to fertilize cats by intratubal insemination with fresh semen. Four male and 25 mixed breed female cats were used. Semen was collected using an artificial vagina. Insemination was performed by laparotomy 15-30 h after administration of 100 iu hCG on day 2 or 3 of spontaneous oestrus. Cats in which ovulation had not occurred at insemination received an additional 100 iu hCG after surgery. In intratubal insemination, four groups consisting of three, seven, eight and seven cats received 5.0 x 10(3), 5.0 x 10(5), 2.0 x 10(6) and 4.0 x 10(6) viable spermatozoa, respectively, into both uterine tubes at approximately 2 cm from the fimbriae tubae. The volume inseminated was 10-20 microliters. The semen volume was adjusted with egg yolk-Tris-fructose citrate. As a result of artificial insemination, none of the cats that received 5.0 x 10(3) or 5.0 x 10(5) spermatozoa were fertilized. However, fertilization was successful in two of eight animals (25.0%) that received 2.0 x 10(6) spermatozoa and in three of seven animals (42.9%) that received 4.0 x 10(6) spermatozoa. The number of kits was 1-4 (mean +/- SE: 2.4 x 0.6). These results indicate that although large numbers of spermatozoa were inseminated into the uterine tubes, the conception rate was low. The low rate of conception may have been due to problems in inducing capacitation of spermatozoa in the uterine tubes.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Phase I study with irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11) for advanced neuroblastoma].

A Phase I trial of irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11) was performed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), the dose-limiting toxicities, and the incidence and severity of other toxicities in children with advanced neuroblastoma. Three children received 11 courses of CPT-11 administered as a 90-min i.v. infusion, daily for 3 days every 21 days. Doses ranged from 100 mg/m2 to 220 mg/m2. Two peaks in the total number of instances of diarrhea was observed, 25 stools at 3 days and 32 stools at 10 days. Myelosuppression was well controlled and of brief duration. One child achieved a clinical complete response (CR) and 2 had a partial response (PR). The MTD of CPT-11 administration was 180 mg/m2 for 3 days. These results indicate the usefulness of CPT-11 for the treatment of advanced neuroblastoma. Further investigation is necessary to establish its role in combination chemotherapeutic regimens.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed2000

The 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist, 8-OH-DPAT, attenuates stress-induced anorexia in conjunction with the suppression of hypothalamic serotonin release in rats.

The effect of the selective 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) on stress-induced anorexia and serotonin (5-HT) release in the rat hypothalamus was studied with brain microdialysis. Subcutaneous injection of 8-OH-DPAT (1 mg/kg) significantly attenuated the immobilization-induced anorexia for 3 h, but had no effect during the following 9 h. Injection of 8-OH-DPAT itself had no effect on basal release of 5-HT, while it significantly blocked the immobilization-induced 5-HT release in the lateral hypothalamus. The results suggest that 8-OH-DPAT attenuated the stress-induced anorexia through the activation of 5-HT(1A) autoreceptors in dorsal raphe nucleus.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗
PubMed2000

Localization of the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide receptor and its mRNA in the rat adrenal medulla.

We examined the localization of the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) receptor (PAC1-R) and its mRNA with immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization, respectively. PAC1-R immunoreactivity and its transcript were detected in both chromaffin cells and ganglion cells but not detected in the adrenal cortex. In addition, strong PAC1-R immunoreactivity was found beneath the plasma membrane of the immunoreactive medullary cells. Electron microscopic immunocytochemistry revealed that PAC1-R was predominantly expressed in adrenaline-containing cells. This report supports the notion that PACAP is an activator and modulator of catecholamine secretion as well as synthesis in the adrenal medulla.

Adrenal Medulla↗