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Biomedical subjects

T Kasai

Publications and source records attributed to T Kasai.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Giant hamartoma of the lung with a high production of carbohydrate antigen 19-9.

A rare case of a giant pulmonary hamartoma with a high production of carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 is presented. A 43-year-old woman with complaints of cough, fever, and chest pain was diagnosed as having a posterior mediastinal tumor with pneumonia. The serum CA 19-9 level was high. A thoracotomy revealed an intrapulmonary solid mass with a histologic diagnosis of cartilaginous hamartoma with no evidence of malignancy. The CA 19-9 concentration in the mucus of the tumor was high, and postoperatively the serum CA 19-9 level returned to normal. The CA 19-9 could be immunohistochemically demonstrated on the surface of the tumor.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Plasma tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels in patients with burns.

Levels of plasma tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were determined consecutively in 42 patients with burns > 20 per cent of the total body surface area using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In the early period after injury (including the period of burn shock), 24 patients had detectable TNF-alpha levels in their plasma. However, the plasma TNF-alpha levels at the time of admission were very low and did not correlate with the extent of the burn or the prognosis. In contrast, the maximum plasma TNF-alpha level over the whole clinical course was significantly correlated with the area of the burn and the prognosis. No correlation was found between the plasma TNF-alpha and plasma endotoxin levels. TNF-alpha may be produced locally in infected burns and monitoring of plasma TNF-alpha levels may be a useful prognostic indicator for burns patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Growth is compromised in rats fed ozone-treated casein.

Modified casein containing few phenylalanine residues and no other aromatic amino acid residues was obtained by ozonolysis of casein. Although 68% of phenylalanine was decomposed by ozonolysis of casein, ozonolysis caused alterations beyond the destruction of aromatic amino acid residues. Nearly the same degree of decomposition of amino acid residues was observed in casein ozonated after predigestion by pepsin. Rats were fed diets containing 8% casein supplemented with methionine and aspartic acid (8C-AA), 8% ozonated casein supplemented with methionine and free amino acids lost by ozonolysis (8OC-AA), 8% casein ozonated after predigestion by pepsin supplemented with methionine and free amino acids lost during preparation (8POC-AA) or 7.6% amino acid mixture. The growth of rats fed the 8OC-AA diet was significantly lower than that of those fed 8C-AA or 7.6AA diets. The growth of rats fed the 8POC-AA diet was comparable to growth of those fed 8OC-AA. The biological values of the 8OC-AA and 8POC-AA were comparable to that of 8C-AA, but true digestibility of 8OC-AA was significantly lower than that of 8C-AA. True digestibility 8POC-AA was significantly improved relative to 8OC-AA, but the growth of rats fed 8POC-AA was not improved relative to that of those fed 8OC-AA. Kidney and cecum weights of rats fed 8OC-AA and 8POC-AA were significantly heavier than those of the 8C-AA-fed group, although histopathological examination of kidneys showed no deterioration compared to that of the 8C-AA-fed group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Quantitative assessment of a change of hemosiderin deposition with age in splenic compartments of rats.

Hemosiderin deposition was quantitatively estimated in paraffin sections stained using Perls' iron reaction in the spleens of untreated male rats aged from 0 to 28 months. Hemosiderin was deposited in the periarteriolar lymphocyte sheath (PALS), lymph follicles, and marginal zone, as well as in the red pulp which was the main compartment of hemosiderin deposition. Special attention was paid to the PALS and marginal zone. Marked hemosiderin deposition was evident from 4 months, although only few hemosiderin-laden macrophages appeared in the first 3 months. Hemosiderin deposition peaked at 12 months in the red pulp and at 20 months in the white pulp and marginal zone. The deposition in the white pulp and marginal zone was about 1/9 to 1/4 of that in the red pulp. A few hemosiderin-laden macrophages were found in the lymph follicles after 2 months. In the periarterial region of the splenic hilus, deposition of hemosiderin granules was observed even at 1 month when there was little hemosiderin deposition elsewhere. Since no arteries open there, the presence of hemosiderin-laden macrophages in the PALS and lymph follicles suggested movement of some macrophages from the red pulp and/or the marginal zone. In addition, hemosiderin deposition in the PALS increased with age after it decreased in the other compartments.

Aging↗
PubMed1993

Effects of foreperiod on response latency of different movement patterns.

In an analysis of the influence of the preparatory process on motor output by measuring the EMG latencies of synergic muscles for elbow flexion and forearm supination the optimum foreperiod was between 2.0 and 2.2 sec., and a specific effect on movement pattern was not observed. However, reduction in EMG-RTs was larger in forearm supination than in elbow flexion. Those results reconfirmed previous reports.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Facile preparation of rat intestinal mucosa for assay of mucosal enzyme activity.

Intestinal mucosa of rats was prepared by squeezing the frozen and thawed intestine. The method was much easier compared to the conventional method in which intestine was cut longitudinally or everted and mucosa was scraped. Jejunal mucosal weight prepared by the two methods was not different, but ileal mucosal weight prepared by squeezing was significantly heavier than that by scraped. No significant difference was observed between activity of some brush border enzymes (arylamidase, aminopeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, and sucrase) in mucosa prepared by squeezing and that by conventional scraping method in jejunum. Activity of brush border aminopeptidase and sucrase in ileal mucosa prepared by squeezing was significantly higher than that prepared by scraping.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1993

Searching for the best operative modality for severe hepatic injuries.

In the United States, there has been a trend away from hepatic resection in favor of nonresectional techniques for patients with severe hepatic injury. However, we consider that hepatic resection is more effective and safer, provided that it is performed appropriately. In 1985, we adopted a new protocol for patients undergoing hepatectomy for severe hepatic injury (class IV and V by Moore's classification). This protocol consists of criteria for hepatectomy and application of adjunctive procedures. Since 1985, we have treated 130 patients with hepatic injuries, including 24 patients (20 who underwent hepatectomy) with class IV hepatic injury and 13 patients (ten who underwent hepatectomy) with class V injury. The mortality rates of the patients with hepatic injury with class IV and V injury were 21 and 46 percent, respectively. The mortality rates for patients who underwent hepatectomy, including formal lobectomy to treat class IV and V injury, were 5 and 33 percent, respectively. The mortality rates of the patients with hepatic injury with class IV injury and the hepatectomy patients in both groups were significantly improved after introduction of the protocol. In addition, the outcome was superior to those reported by several trauma centers in the United States. Thus, we conclude that hepatectomy, including formal lobectomy, should be considered as one of the preferred treatment modalities for severe hepatic injury.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

The inhibitory actions of protease inhibitors on the production of polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase and interleukin 8.

The inhibitory actions of Ulinastatin, which is a protease inhibitor, on the production of polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase (PMN-elastase) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) in vascular endothelial cells were evaluated. Our findings suggest that IL-8 plays a role in the production of PMN-elastase. Ulinastatin inhibited the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and the production of IL-8 in vascular endothelial cells. Ulinastatin also inhibited the LPS-stimulated production of PMN-elastase in PMN.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug↗
PubMed1993

Quantitative measurement of hemosiderin deposition in tissue sections of the liver by image analysis.

Hemosiderin has been quantitated in tissue sections by image analysis employing Perls' Berlin blue reaction. A linear correlation was observed between the mean optical density of the tissue section measured with a commercial image analyzer and the iron concentration measured with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The correlation coefficient of .945 (P < .001) indicated that a linear correlation existed between these measurements. Thus, the hemosiderin volume in tissue sections can be measured quantitatively by image analysis.

Hemosiderin↗
PubMed1993

Synthesis and antiscorbutic activity of vitamin C analogue: L-threo-hex-2-enaro-1,4-lactone ethyl ester in the guinea pig.

L-threo-hex-2-enaro-1,4-lactone ethyl ester (II) was synthesized by the modified Fisher's esterification and its sodium salt was obtained almost quantitatively. Confirmation of the compound was made by elementary analysis, as well as IR, UV, MS and NMR spectra. The antiscorbutic activity was compared to that of ascorbic acid and the result showed that (II) did not have Vitamin C activity. The results of this investigation indicate that a close relationship exists between the chemical structure of the C-6 position of ascorbic acid analogues and the development of vitamin C activity.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1993

The clearance rate of chylomicron retinyl ester from plasma can be used to distinguish rats with cirrhosis from those with portacaval shunt.

Effects of carbon tetrachloride treatment and portacaval shunt surgery on exogenous chylomicron retinyl ester clearance from rat plasma were analyzed assuming three-compartment model kinetics. In rats with cirrhosis and in those with Eck fistulas, the relative pool size of compartment 2 decreased (0.20 and 0.36, respectively) compared with controls (0.82). The relative mass of compartment 3 significantly increased in rats with cirrhosis (1.55) or Eck fistula (0.19) compared with control rats (0.11). The cirrhotic and Eck fistula groups were indistinguishable on the basis of these parameters and on the basis of indocyanine green test values. However, the cirrhosis and Eck fistula groups differed clearly from each other with respect to fractional efflux rate constants (l2, l3), where the constant l2 is from compartment 2 and the l3 is from compartment 3. Both values decreased in cirrhotic rats, suggesting that the hepatic uptake of chylomicron retinyl esters was impaired by carbon tetrachloride. On the other hand, Eck fistula rats did experience dramatic increases in l3, implying that the hepatic uptake of chylomicron retinyl esters from compartment 3 was enhanced by portacaval shunting. Elevation of the plasma estrogen level observed in Eck fistula rats may be responsible for the induction of low-density lipoprotein receptors on hepatocytes and for the subsequent enhancement of l3. These results suggest that a three-compartment model of plasma retinyl ester disappearance kinetics gives important quantitative information about hepatic function. Clinical application of the chylomicron retinyl ester clearance test is discussed for estimating hepatic function reserves and for differential diagnosis of portal hypertension.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Low flip angle spin-echo MR imaging to obtain better Gd-DTPA enhanced imaging with ECG gating].

ECG-gated spin-echo imaging (ECG-SE) can reduce physiological motion artifacts. However, ECG-SE does not provide strong T1-weighted images because repetition time (TR) depends on heart rate (HR). We investigated the usefulness of low flip angle spin-echo imaging (LFSE) in obtaining more T1-dependent contrast with ECG gating. in computer simulation, the predicted image contrast and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) obtained for each flip angle (0-180 degrees) and each TR (300 msec-1200 msec) were compared with those obtained by conventional T1-weighted spin-echo imaging (CSE: TR = 500 msec, TE = 20 msec). In clinical evaluation, tissue contrast [contrast index (CI): (SI of lesion-SI of muscle)2*100/SI of muscle] obtained by CSE and LFSE were compared in 17 patients. At a TR of 1,000 msec, T1-dependent contrast increased with decreasing flip angle and that at 38 degrees was identical to that with T1-weighted spin-echo. SNR increased with the flip angle until 100 degrees, and that at 53 degrees was identical to that with T1-weighted spin-echo. CI on LFSE (74.0 +/- 52.0) was significantly higher than CI on CSE (40.9 +/- 35.9). ECG-gated LFSE imaging provides better T1-dependent contrast than conventional ECG-SE. This method was especially useful for Gd-DTPA enhanced MR imaging.

Contrast Media↗
PubMed1992

The effects of wrist muscle vibration on human voluntary elbow flexion-extension movements.

The effect of forearm muscle tendon vibration during alternating step flexion-extension movements about the elbow was studied in normal humans. In one experiment, a vibrator was mounted over either the forearm flexor or the extensor muscle. In a second experiment, a vibrator was mounted over either the forearm muscle or the biceps muscle. In both experiments, vibration was applied either to a single muscle or simultaneously to both muscles during elbow flexion-extension movements. After a period of practice, subjects learned the required movements and were able to make them with their eyes closed. Application of vibration to the forearm and the biceps muscle during extension movements produced an undershoot of the required end-movement position. Moreover, application of high-frequency vibration (100 Hz) to the forearm extensor and flexor muscle produced an overshoot of the required end-movement position. The observed results are consistent with vibration induced activation of muscle spindle receptors not only in the lengthening muscle during movement but also in the forearm muscles. It is suggested that the pattern of distribution of muscle spindle afferent from the forearm muscle onto alpha-motoneurons of muscles acting at the elbow has played an important role of alternating step flexion-extension movements.

Elbow↗
PubMed1992

Bilateral pseudoaneurysms of the pulmonary arteries caused by blunt chest injury.

A case of bilateral pseudoaneurysms of the pulmonary arteries caused by blunt chest injury is presented. Although this is a very rare complication, this entity should always be suspected in a patient with hemoptysis and a radiodensity on chest radiograph following chest injury. Selection of operative procedures should be based on the location or the extent of the pseudoaneurysm.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Afferent conditioning of motor evoked potentials following transcranial magnetic stimulation of motor cortex in normal subjects.

The present study determined the effects of percutaneous electrical stimulation of the plantar surface on motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in tibialis anterior (TA) and soleus (SOL) of normal subjects following transcranial magnetic stimulation of motor cortex. The conditioning stimulation consisted of a 20 msec train of electrical pulses (500 Hz; 0.1 msec rectangular) delivered to the medial border of the sole of the foot at an intensity just subthreshold for evoking a flexion reflex. The conditioning (C) stimulation preceded the test (T) cortical stimulation by intervals of 20-130 msec. Magnetic stimulation of motor cortex (Cadwell MES-10) was delivered through a 9.5 cm focal point coil positioned tangential to the scalp and located with the rim over vertex. Five healthy adults served as subjects and each was investigated on at least 2 occasions. At C-T intervals 20-50 msec there was a mild inhibition of MEPs in both TA and SOL. This was followed by marked facilitation (greater than 300%) of MEPs at C-T intervals 50-85 msec in both TA and SOL in all subjects. At longer C-T intervals greater than 110 msec, there was an inhibition of MEPs in TA but not in SOL. Based on the time course of these 3 phases of MEP amplitude modulation, and different stimulation thresholds for each phase, it appears that separate neurophysiological processes underlie each phase of MEP modulation. These observations also suggest that percutaneous electrical stimulation may be useful as a means of enhancing low amplitude or subliminal MEPs in normal subjects or patients with myelopathy.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1992

Reinforcement of subliminal flexion reflexes by transcranial magnetic stimulation of motor cortex in subjects with spinal cord injury.

A 20 msec train (500 Hz; 0.1-0.2 msec duration) of percutaneous electrical stimulation (ES) applied to the plantar surface was used to condition muscle responses evoked in tibialis anterior (TA) by transcranial magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex in 8 subjects with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). The intensity of conditioning ES was adjusted to just subthreshold for evoking flexion reflexes in TA and was delivered at conditioning-test (C-T) intervals of 15-60 msec prior to cortical stimulation. Four subjects with clinically complete SCI revealed no muscle response to cortical stimulation or following combined subliminal percutaneous ES and cortical stimulation. Four subjects (3 clinically incomplete and 1 complete injury) demonstrated muscle responses with a latency of 70-80 msec time-locked to the percutaneous ES when the conditioning subliminal stimulation was delivered at C-T: 15-40 msec. These responses, resembling suprathreshold flexion reflexes, reflect the convergence of excitatory afferent and cortical inputs and provide evidence of preserved corticospinal innervation to the L4-5 segmental motoneuron or interneuron pools. In 3 of the subjects this preserved corticospinal influence was evident despite absence of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) following cortical stimulation. The effect of the combined electrical and cortical stimulation in yielding suprathreshold flexion reflexes, instead of the facilitated MEPs seen in control subjects, appears to be related to slowed central conduction, prolonged temporal dispersion of the motoneuron facilitation following cortical stimulation and segmental reflex changes associated with disrupted modulation of interneuronal pathways. The results show this conditioning paradigm to be useful in revealing preserved corticospinal innervation in some SCI subjects with absent MEPs.

Adaptation, Physiological↗