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Biomedical subjects

T Imai

Publications and source records attributed to T Imai.

At least 559 records · Page 31Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

[Laparoscopic management for nonpalpable testis].

In this series, we investigated the efficacy and advantage of laparoscopy for management of nonpalpable testis. Laparoscopic examination was performed in 10 boys, involving one with bilateral nonpalpable testis and 9 with a unilateral nonpalpable testis and a contralateral normal one, between August 1991 and September 1993 in our institution. Three testis were diagnosed as intraabdominal and 8 testis were diagnosed as probably intracanalicular with laparoscopy. Two boys with 3 intracanalicular testis underwent laparoscopic clipping of testicular vessels, and about 6 months later, they underwent the second stage of 2-stage Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy. Eight boys, diagnosed as probably intracanalicular type by laparoscopy, underwent surgical exploration with inguinal incision. Of 8 patients, only 1 boy underwent 1-stage orchiopexy, and the other 7 boys underwent orchiectomy because their gonads were extremely hypoplastic. About 1 year after orchiopexy, 3 testes were normal in both size and location. Laparoscopy seems to be useful for both evaluation and treatment of the nonpalpable testis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Three new reduced anthracycline related compounds from pathogenic Nocardia brasiliensis.

Three new metabolites were isolated from a pathogenic bacterium, Nocardia brasiliensis IFM 0075 strain, a producer of a new anthracycline antibiotic (SO-075R1) and its mutant strain (IFM 0075-13-1). The structural studies showed that they are reduced anthracyline related compounds. Some biosynthetic routes of these metabolites were discussed.

Anthracyclines↗
PubMed1994

Stem cell factor promotes proliferation of human primitive megakaryocytic progenitors, but not megakaryocytic maturation.

The effect of soluble c-kit ligand (stem cell factor, SCF) on human megakaryocytopoiesis of the cells from umbilical cord blood was evaluated in a methylcellulose culture containing human plasma. SCF alone did not stimulate megakaryocyte colony formation by non-phagocytic mononuclear cells (NPMNC), but did so in combination with interleukin (IL)-3, dose-dependently. This stimulatory effect was exhibited more strongly on large megakaryocyte colonies than on small ones. The effects of SCF + IL-3 on the number and size of megakaryocyte colonies exceeded those of IL-6 + IL-3 or of IL-11 + IL-3. The synergistic interaction of SCF with IL-3 was confirmed by using CD34-positive cells. In particular, addition of SCF to the culture with optimal and suboptimal concentrations of IL-3, significantly increased mixed megakaryocyte colony formation as compared with IL-3 alone. Although SCF in combination with IL-6 or IL-11 induced megakaryocyte colonies from NPMNC, these interactions disappeared entirely in the culture using CD34-positive cells. IL-6 or IL-11 significantly increased the size and DNA content of megakaryocytes in the presence of IL-3, while SCF did not affect, or rather decreased, the DNA content. These findings suggest that SCF promotes more strongly the proliferation of primitive rather than mature megakaryocytic progenitors, but does not affect megakaryocytic maturation.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1994

The effects on blood flows of coronary artery by-pass grafts during intra-aortic balloon pumping.

The internal thoracic artery (ITA), as well as aorto-coronary by-pass grafts, has been used for widely coronary artery by-pass grafting. Intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) is the first choice for left ventricular support when low output syndrome occurs during coronary artery by-pass surgery. However, the effect of diastolic augmentation by IABP may vary to the type of grafts. Graft flow with and without IABP support were measured in six patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery requiring IABP at Kanazawa National Hospital. The patients ranged in age from 59 to 67 years, with a mean age of 63 years, and included one woman and five men. In all cases, the left ITA was dissected from the thoracic wall as pedicle, and anastomosed in situ to the left anterior descending artery. Saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) were used for aortocoronary by-pass to the obtuse marginal branches, the first diagonal branches, the left circumflex branches, and/or the right coronary artery. Blood flow in 6 ITAs, 11 SVGs to the left coronary artery systems, and three SVGs to the right coronary artery was measured by ultrasound transit-time flowmeter simultaneously with the electrocardiogram. Blood flows in ITA grafts and SVGs were measured during IABP assist and unassisting under hemodynamically stable conditions after discontinuing cardiopulmonary by-pass. The systolic and diastolic flows of each graft were measured using the peak of the R wave and the end of T wave on the electrocardiogram as the references for systole. Systolic flow during IABP were similar to unassisted flow in both ITA and SVGs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Quantitative analysis of c-erbB-2 protein in breast cancer tissue by enzyme immunoassay.

The introduction of c-erbB-2 protein to clinical medicine as a prognostic indicator and tumor marker is desired. The authors determined the concentration of c-erbB-2 protein in 81 breast cancer tissues by enzyme immunoassay. The concentration of c-erbB-2 protein in breast cancer tissues showed a broad spectrum. A significant correlation was observed between tissue c-erbB-2 protein concentration and estrogen receptor status or immunohistochemical determination. In patients with distant metastases, there was a close association between c-erbB-2 protein concentration in the primary tumor and serum c-erbB-2 protein level. Cases with a high tumor concentration of c-erbB-2 protein (> 1000 U/mg total protein; 18.5% of cases) had a poor prognosis. From the above, we concluded the measurement of tissue c-erbB-2 protein by enzyme immunoassay to be clinically useful in breast cancer.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1994

[Cervical flexion-induced changes of motor evoked potentials by transcranial magnetic stimulation in a patient with Hirayama disease--juvenile muscular atrophy of unilateral upper extremity].

A 16-year-old girl noticed weakness in the left hand in 1990, which gradually progressed over the next 2 years but then stabilized. Her neurologic and electrophysiological signs were compatible with juvenile muscular atrophy of unilateral upper extremity (Hirayama disease). Cine MRIs demonstrated a mild cervical cord atrophy at the C6 spine level together with an engorged epidural vein at the C4-C6 extradural spaces during neck flexion. Transcranial magnetic stimulation over the motor cortex was carried out with a pickup placed on the contralateral abductor brevis muscle. While neck flexion was maintained, the amplitude of the evoked potentials steadily attenuated and the central motor conduction time lengthened as time passed. After 8 minutes, she began to feel some dullness in the left upper limb. These phenomena were reversible and were observed only on the affected limb. The above facts not only supported the presence of a reversible cortico-efferent dysfunction in Hirayama disease, but also appeared to justify the use of neck collars to treat those afflicted with this entity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[A family with hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies--clinical, electrophysiological, pathological study and DNA analysis].

Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) is an autosomal dominant disease that causes episodes of recurrent mononeuropathies following minor trauma or pressure. It was recently reported that deletion of the peripheral myelin protein-22 (PMP-22) gene was associated with HNPP in three unrelated American pedigrees and one Dutch pedigree, but not in another Dutch pedigree. We tested a Japanese family with HNPP for PMP-22 gene deletion. HNPP diagnosis was established by a history of recurrent mononeuropathies following moderate compression, delayed distal latencies and F-wave latencies, and the characteristic focal thickening of the myelin sheath ("tomacula") in sural nerves. Genomic DNA of the HNPP patients was extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes. The DNA was cut by the restriction endonuclease BamHI, separated by electrophoresis and the fragments hybridized with probes for PMP-22 cDNA and human muscle specific phosphoglycerate mutase (PGAM) cDNA (used as internal control). The intensity of the autoradiographs of patients was measured densitometrically and compared to that of normal controls. Our analysis revealed that the PMP-22 and PGAM autoradiograph intensity ratio in the specimens of the HNPP patients was 60% of that of control individuals, thus suggesting that the patients only had a single copy of the PMP-22 gene. From these data we conclude that the PMP-22 gene also was deleted in the Japanese family with HNPP.

DNA↗
PubMed1994

[A case of multiple inthorathoracic neurilemmoma with cutaneous lesions].

A 33-year-old man with right inguinal mass was admitted to our hospital because of an abnormal shadow on his chest X-ray film. Surgery was performed. These tumors originating from the right 7th, 8th intercostal and right cutaneous femoralis nerve were removed. Histologically, excised tumors were diagnosed as neurilemmoma. There had been only 4 cases of inthorathoracic multiple neurilemmoma with skin lesion, in Japan. We reviewed and discussed the Japanese literature.

Humans↗
PubMed1994

[Effects of platelet activating factor on release of thromboxane B2 from human granulocytes and platelets].

We investigated the effects of platelet activating factor (PAF) on the release of thromboxane (Tx) B2 from human granulocytes and platelets. Stimulation of human peripheral whole blood cells by PAF (10(-5) M) resulted in the production of TxB2 (p < 0.05). When human granulocyte suspensions (2.0 x 10(6)/ml) were stimulated by calcium ionophore A23187 (10(-5) M), TxB2 levels in the supernatant fluid increased significantly (p < 0.01). However PAF (10(-5) M) did not increase the levels of TxB2 in granulocyte suspensions. In the presence of cytochalasin B (5 micrograms/ml), PAF (10(-8) M, 10(-7) M, 10(-6) M) did not induce any significant release of TxB2 from granulocytes. The levels of TxB2 in human platelet suspensions were significantly increased by PAF (10(-5) M) stimulation (p < 0.05). These results suggest that PAF induces TxB2 release from human platelets, but it may not stimulate the production of TxB2 in human granulocytes.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1994

[A case of bilateral medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF) syndrome associated with rotatory nystagmus].

We report a patient with bilateral MLF syndrome associated with rotatory nystagmus. The patient was a 33-year-old female, admitted to our hospital because of sudden onset of diplopia. The adduction of both eyes were markedly disturbed on lateral gaze, but convergence was relatively spared. Excyclorotatory nystagmus was observed in the right eye on the rightward gaze, and gaze-directional horizontal gaze nystagmus was observed in the left eye on the leftward gaze. No other neurological abnormality was pointed out. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging revealed a high intensity lesion in the pontine tegmentum. The lesion was located at the mid-pontine level. Rotatory nystagmus has been rarely observed in the patients with MLF syndrome, and previous authors postulated a lesion in the MLF above the level of the abducens nucleus and below the level of the trochlear nucleus. In our patient we demonstrated a lesion in the hypothesized location on magnetic resonance imaging and provided a supportive anatomical evidence.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Effects of inhaled SDZ ISQ 844, a cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase isoenzyme type III/IV inhibitor, on airway responsiveness in beagles].

To evaluate the effects of inhaled SDZ ISQ 844, a selective cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoenzyme type III/IV inhibitor and inhaled salbutamol on airway responsiveness, we studied the changes in airway responsiveness following inhalation of SDZ ISQ 844 and salbutamol in 7 beagles. Respiratory resistance and airway responsiveness to inhaled methacholine were determined by modified Astograph (7 Hz oscillation method), SDZ ISQ 844 solution (5 x 10(-4) M) and salbutamol solution (5 x 10(-5) M) were delivered as aerosols generated from a Bird nebulizer for ten minutes. After inhalation of salbutamol respiratory resistance showed a slight but significant decrease (p < 0.05). Inhaled SDZ ISQ 844 did not affect respiratory resistance. Airway responsiveness decreased significantly following inhalation of SDZ ISQ 844 and salbutamol (p < 0.02). There was no significant difference between the changes in airway responsiveness following the inhalation of SDZ ISQ 844 and salbutamol. These results indicate that inhalational administration of a selective PDE isoenzyme type III/IV inhibitor, SDZ ISQ 844 decreases airway responsiveness at dosage which does not affect the base-line respiratory resistance.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1994

[Cyclosporin A inhibits interleukin 5 (IL-5) production from human peripheral lymphocytes].

Inflammation of mucosa and epithelial damage the of bronchi are characteristic pathological features of asthma. Infiltration of T lymphocytes and eosinophils followed by their activation and release of cytokines seems to be a contributing process. We studied the interaction of interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interleukin 5 (IL-5), cytokines which act on eosinophils, using human peripheral lymphocytes. We found that cyclosporin A (CyA) inhibited the IL-5 production from human peripheral lymphocytes induced by IL-2 stimulation. Human peripheral lymphocytes were isolated from healthy volunteers and bronchial asthma patients with mild eosinophilia. Lymphocyte cultures stimulated with IL-2 were cultured at 37 degrees C in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air. After 72 hours' incubation, the proliferative response of the lymphocytes was examined by [3H]thymidine uptake, and at the same time IL-5 in the supernatant of the culture medium was assayed by ELISA. The lymphocytes proliferated on IL-2 stimulation in all cases; IL-5 was detected in 3 out of 9 healthy volunteer cases and 7 out of 11 asthma patient cases. CyA added at the beginning of incubation inhibited both of these responses in a dose-dependent manner.

Asthma↗
PubMed1994

[An evaluation study on arbekacin for MRSA-infectious diseases including pneumonia, septicemia and others].

Availability of arbekacin (ABK) was analyzed in the chemotherapy of 24 MRSA-infected patients with symptoms of pneumonia (12), sepsis (6) and others (6). Most patients had background diseases such as malignant tumors or cerebrovascular disorders. 47% (7/15) of them were immunologically abnormal. 17 of them had been previously treated with cephems, imipenem, minocycline or fosfomycin. The ABK therapy was performed with doses ranging 50-400 mg a day, divided into 1-3 times (mostly 100 mg x 2), and for 5-24 days. (18 patients were treated between 5 and 14 days). 14 patients (58%) received combined therapy with other antibiotics (mostly with beta-lactams, 12). The clinical efficacy rate of the ABK therapy was 62% (good, 13; fair, 4; ineffective, 4; unknown, 3). The bacteriological efficacies were: eradicated, 7 (44%); decreased, 4; no change, 5; unknown, 8. Side effects were found in 3 patients (oliguria, 2; eruption due to drug, 1) and one case resulted in serious renal disorder. Abnormal laboratory data were found in 7 cases. Above results have indicated that ABK is a useful antibiotic in chemotherapy of MRSA-infections.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Significance of the glucose concentration in amniotic fluid for the prediction of chorioamnionitis in preterm labor].

For the rapid and accurate prediction of the presence of chorioamnionitis (CAM) in preterm labor, amniotic fluid analyses were performed in 46 women with preterm labor between 24 to 34 weeks' pregnancy. Ultrasound-guided transabdominal amniocentesis was performed on admission and the amniotic fluid was subjected to the measurement of cell count, glucose, protein and chlorine concentration according to cerebrospinal fluid and neutrophil esterase analysis. The data demonstrated that the amniotic fluid glucose concentration was significantly lower in women with preterm birth/CAM(+) than that with preterm birth/CAM(-) and term birth (19.0 +/- 9.1, 28.0 +/- 7.6, 51.6 +/- 14.5 mg/dl, respectively). All of the women with a glucose concentration of 20mg/dl or less showed signs of CAM. By setting up a cut off value of 25mg/dl, both high sensitivity (81.8%) and specificity (91.4%) for the prediction of CAM were obtained. Positive predictive values for CAM of a glucose concentration of 20mg/dl or less and 25mg/dl or less were 100% and 75% respectively. It was concluded that amniotic fluid glucose concentration measurement is useful for the prediction of CAM. The presence of CAM should be considered when the amniotic fluid glucose concentration is 25mg/dl or less.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for primary aldosteronism: report of initial ten cases.

BACKGROUND: Although laparoscopic technique has become popular in the surgical field, the value of laparoscopy in the removal of adrenal gland is unknown. The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility of laparoscopic adrenalectomy. METHODS: Between January 17, 1992, and March 16, 1993, 10 patients (four men, six women; mean, 48.2 years of age) with primary aldosteronism underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy (seven of left adrenal gland and three of right adrenal gland) with almost the same devices as laparoscopic cholecystectomy. RESULTS: Adrenal tumors were successfully removed with adjacent normal adrenal gland in every patient. The operative time ranged from 165 to 572 minutes (mean, 295 minutes), and the operative bleeding ranged from 50 to 920 ml (mean, 270.5 ml) without requiring blood transfusion. Only one patient required open hemostasis because of uncontrollable bleeding complicated by dislocation of vascular clip in spite of successful laparoscopic removal of adrenal tumor. There was no major complication except for this case. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a relatively safe, alternative operative method for primary aldosteronism, but application of this technique to other types of adrenal lesions remains to be studied.

Adrenalectomy↗