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T Kawamura

Publications and source records attributed to T Kawamura.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

[Is left ventricular regional wall motion after CABG influenced by cardioplegic protection?].

This clinical study was conducted to determine whether different techniques of cardioplegic protection reflected left ventricular regional wall motion after CABG. A total of 43 patients with more than 90% stenosis of the LAD (seg 6 and/or 7) before CABG, who had patent grafts were allocated to two groups: namely, the crystalloid group, comprised of 23 patients given cold crystalloid cardioplegia and topical ice slush, and the blood group, comprised of 20 patients given tepid blood cardioplegia delivered intermittently antegrade. Each group was divided into two subgroups according to whether the left ventricular regional wall motion showed no change or deterioration after CABG. We also examined the relationship between the grading of the collateral artery before CABG and the postoperative ventricular regional wall motion. The number of patients who showed deterioration after CABG was higher in the crystalloid group than in the blood group (p = 0.008). Moreover, patients in the crystalloid group whose collateral artery had been graded as 0 before CABG tended to show deterioration of left ventricular local wall motion after CABG (p = 0.07). Whereas those patients in the blood group did not. In conclusion, the incidence of deterioration after CABG was higher in the crystalloid group than in the blood group.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Renal cell carcinoma in children: experience at a single institution in Japan.

PURPOSE: We analyzed the presentation, treatment and survival of 4 children with renal cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the pathological and hospital records of 4 Japanese children diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma at our hospital from 1970 to 1998. RESULTS: In the 1 boy and 3 girls with an average age of 8 years 7 months at diagnosis the most common presenting complaints were gross hematuria in 75% and a palpable abdominal mass in 50%. Computerized tomography revealed characteristic calcification within the tumor in 3 of the 4 patients (75%). In the remaining case the lesion had high density areas with microcalcification, as confirmed by histopathological study. In 2 patients with regional lymph node metastasis calcification was also observed in the metastatic lesions. Disease was stages I to III in 1, 1 and 2 patients, respectively. All patients underwent transabdominal nephrectomy with regional lymphadenectomy. One patient with stage I disease had multiple metastases 15 months later and died of disease 55 months postoperatively. However, the remaining 3 patients received adjuvant interferon therapy and they are without evidence of recurrence a mean of 51.3 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Calcification within the tumor and/or metastatic lesions or high density areas in the tumor on screening computerized tomography are characteristic findings suggestive of pediatric renal cell carcinoma. Adjuvant therapy with interferon may provide some benefit in select pediatric patients. Further studies of a larger number of pediatric renal cell carcinoma cases may be necessary to establish the optimal diagnostic and therapeutic regimen.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗
PubMed1999

[Evidence-based medicine and 'The Cochrane Collaboration'].

In Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM), a clinical decision is based neither on pathophysiological theories nor personal experience but on the results derived from scientifically designed clinical epidemiological studies (i.e., evidence). EBM is used in various clinical applications, such as therapy, diagnosis, and prognosis prediction. The process includes (1) asking a clinical question consisting of the three elements of "patient", "exposure", and "outcome"; (2) searching for the best evidence using MEDLINE or Cochrane Library; (3) appraising critically the validity of the method and the magnitude and probability of the result; and finally (4) applying the evidence of the patient. In actual clinical practice, clinical expertise and patient preferences should be as much regarded as research evidence. 'The Cochrane Collaboration' supplies systematic reviews of clinical trials carried out all over the world to its consumers. Its fruit, 'The Cochrane Library (CD-ROM),' is a highly valuable resource. 'The Cochrane Collaboration' serves as the infrastructure for EBM. EBM, which was originally developed for the individual patient care, can also be applicable to community- or workplace-healthcare and policy making by governments. Thus, EBM is both a philosophy and a method to provide people with the most appropriate medical practice.

Databases as Topic↗
PubMed1999

[Intra- and inter-individual variations in diets of the middle-aged and the elderly].

This study was conducted to examine intra- and inter-individual variations in diets of the middle-aged and the elderly (40 years or older, 46 men and 42 women). The coefficients of variations for intakes of nutrients and food groups were computed from four 4-day weighed dietary records performed at 3-month intervals from June 1996. The results were as follows: a) The highest intra-individual variation (%) for nutrient intake was observed in retinol (men 293.5, women 283.8) and the lowest in carbohydrate (men 17.7, women 22.1). b) The highest inter-individual variation (%) was found in retinol (58.2) in men, and in carotene (56.7) in women. The lowest inter-individual variation (%) was observed in magnesium (17.0) in men, and in carbohydrate (14.4) in women. c) Nuts and seeds showed the highest intra-individual variation (%) for food group intake (men 291.5, women 391.8), while rice presented the lowest (men 30.5, women 38.9). d) The highest inter-individual variation for food group intake (%) was seen in milk and dairy products (111.7) in men and in alcoholic beverages (162.3) in women. The lowest inter-individual variation was observed in potatoes and starches (20.7) in men and in pulses (26.0) in women. e) The number of days necessary to estimate true average nutrient intake was much longer for such vitamins as retinol and carotene (over 50 days) than for macronutrients (3-5 days) except for fat. More than one year was required to estimate intake of nuts and seeds in both sexes and alcoholic beverages or seaweeds in women, whereas only 9-15 days for intake of rice. In conclusion, energy, protein and carbohydrate can be estimated by short-period dietary recalls or records, since their intra-individual variations were relatively small. On the other hand, many days, were found to be required to estimate usual dietary intake of such vitamins as retinol or carotene and that of each food group except for rice. It would therefore be very difficult to estimate usual intake of these nutrients and food groups by short-period dietary recalls or records.

Diet↗
PubMed1999

[Sudden death of clinically unknown origin. An overview of postmortem examinations in Japan].

To elucidate the possible causes of sudden unexpected deaths (SUD) in Japan, we over-viewed autopsy findings described in the Annual of the Pathological Autopsy Cases in Japan, Vol. 35-37, 1992-1994. A total of 313 cases of SUD of clinically unknown origin (age > = 5 year) were found among the 95,142 autopsy cases listed in the above compilation. The direct causes of death, if identified, were described with their incidences. When the direct cause was undetermined, the most dominant pathological finding was listed. The difference in age between identified and unidentified groups was also studied. In 225 (72%) out of 313 SUD, direct causes of death were clarified as follows: cardiovascular diseases in 140 (acute myocardial infarction in 75), pulmonary diseases in 32, cerebrovascular diseases in 17, and gastrointestinal or hepatic disease in 17 cases. Even among 88 cases whose direct causes of death were unclear, 55 had cardiovascular abnormalities including myocardial hypertrophy and ischemic changes. No life-threatening abnormalities were found in 23 SUD cases, most of whom were men in their forties or younger. This study indicates that autopsy is helpful to reveal the cause of SUD. It also suggests cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of SUD of clinically unknown origin.

Autopsy↗
PubMed1999

[Analysis of risk factor for patients and renal survival in anti-myeloperoxidase antibody (MPO-ANCA) associated glomerulonephritis].

We investigated the clinical and histological features and the outcome of 15 patients with antimyeloperoxidase antibody(MPO-ANCA) associated glomerulonephritis. The patients were divided into two groups on the basis of renal functional outcome: Group 1 consisted of 7 patients where an initial deterioration in renal function was improved at the final observation. Group 2 included 8 patients who had a progressive deterioration in renal function leading to end stage renal disease or chronic dialysis, or who died. We compared the clinical and histological features at renal biopsy and the outcome following steroid therapy between the two groups. Group 1 patients had significantly lower levels of serum creatinine and UN, and higher values for creatinine clearance (Ccr) than Group 2 patients(1.9 +/- 0.6 vs. 6.7 +/- 4.7 mg/dl, 29 +/- 7 vs. 73 +/- 39 mg/dl, 30 +/- 9 vs. 10 +/- 5 ml/min, p < 0.05, respectively). Histologically, Group 1 patients had a significantly lower percentage of crescent formation than Group 2 patients(41 +/- 6 vs. 74 +/- 4%, p < 0.05), whereas there was no significant difference in tubulo interstitial damage between the 2 groups. Moreover, in 4 patients of Group 1 where a second renal biopsy was performed two months after steroid therapy, marked attenuation in acute tubulo-interstitial changes was observed in association with a rapid improvement of renal function. These results suggest that diffuse tubulo-interstitial inflammatory changes despite a relatively low frequency of cellular crescent formation may be a prognostically important histological feature showing a good response to steroid therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[A case of successful thromobolytic therapy in a patient with cerebral embolism during angiography].

We report a case of successful thromobolytic therapy in a patient with cerebral embolism during angiography. A 57 year-old male lost his consciousness during angiography. His neurologic symptoms were semi-comatose and right oculomotor palsy. According to these symptoms, we estimated the lesion in the right midbrain. Immediately after we denied a cerebral hemorrhage by computed tomography, we infused 60,000 u of urokinase intravenously within an hour from the onset followed by diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI). DW-MRI showed hyper-intense lesion in the midbrain. We sequentially performed thrombolytic therapy with urokinase by selective cerebral angiography within three hours from the onset. His symptoms gradually resolved, but his consciousness was still confused state. His all neurologic symptom completely resolved in the next day after hyperbaric oxygenation therapy.

Angiography↗
PubMed1999

[Change on chest CT findings of "primary infection of pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex"].

We reviewed the chest CT findings of 15 patients with "primary infection of Mycobacterium avium complex". All of them were female and the average age of them was 64.9 years old. They received no or only insufficient therapy. Comparing the chest CT findings followed up for the average of 60.9 months interval, only three patients showed clear progression. All of the cases with less than three lobes involved at the onset unchanged or improved. On the radiographic features at the onset, small nodulousor infiltrative shadows were seen in all patients, and bronchiectasis in three patients. Cavity was not seen. The lesions of 12 patients were located in the right upper lobe, 13 patients in the right middle lobe and 14 patients in the left lingula. Mild and limited cases may have potential with no or very slow progression, and case by case selective treatment should be considered.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Active oxygen].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Humans↗
PubMed1998

An alternative form of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase in Drosophila melanogaster and its ectopic expression in rat-1 cells.

We here report an alternatively spliced form of PARP lacking exon 5 of the Drosophila PARP gene encoding the auto-modification domain. The alternative form of PARP (PARP II) consists 804 amino acids with a molecular weight of 92.3 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence of PARP II was completely matched to that of PARP I encoded by a full-length Drosophila PARP cDNA, except it lacks the region corresponding to the auto-modification domain. To examine the function of PARP II, stable transformants of Rat-1 cells in which PARP II was ectopically expressed by MMTV-LTR were isolated and characterized. After induction with dexamethasone, PARP II transformants showed slower growth and showed morphological changes with loss of spindled shape compared to cells transformed with the vector or PARP I. The PARP II-transformed cells incorporated propidium iodide after induction; however, Annexin V and TUNEL analysis indicated these changes were not due to apoptosis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Evidence suggesting the involvement of hematopoietic stem cells in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy.

To investigate the role of hematopoietic stem cells in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy, T-cell-depleted bone marrow cells for IgA nephropathy-prone ddY mice were transplanted into C57BL/6j (B6) mice pretreated with cyclophosphamide. In the 12th week after bone marrow transplantation, transplanted bone marrow cells had successfully regenerated. In B6 recipients of T-cell-depleted allogeneic bone marrow cells for ddY mice ([ddy-->B6]), mesangial IgA and C3 deposits were significantly more intense than those in B6 mice receiving syngeneic bone marrow cells of B6 mice ([B6-->B6]). The serum IgA level in [ddY-->B6] mice was higher than that in [B6-->B6] mice. Molecular profile analysis of serum IgA revealed that the serum concentration of macromolecular IgA was increased in [ddY-->B6], but not in [B6-->B6] mice. These data suggest that disorders programmed at the level of BMCs are involved in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy by increasing circulating levels of macromolecular IgA.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Inflamed site-specific gene delivery using bone marrow-derived CD11b+CD18+ vehicle cells in mice.

We report a novel technique that may allow site-specific gene delivery into inflamed tissues. Bone marrow cells from DBA/2 mice were incubated for 7 days in L-929 cell-conditioned medium containing elements that favor the development of mononuclear cells, such as colony-stimulating factors. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that 99.1 +/- 0.9% of the subcloned cells were positive for CD11b and CD18, both of which are ligands of the intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). These vehicle cells were labeled with a fluorescent lipophilic probe and returned intravenously to the DBA/2 mice. The mice then received, for 1 week, intraperitoneal injections of either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to enhance ICAM-1 expression in the glomerulus, or saline as a control. In the LPS-treated mice, labeled vehicle cells were detected within the glomerulus cross-section (gcs) 24 hr after the first injection (0.73 +/- 0.10/gcs). The number of labeled vehicle cells within the glomerulus gradually increased for 1 week (1.47 +/- 0.19/gcs) and decreased after discontinuation of the LPS injections. However, in the saline-treated control group, only a negligible number of vehicle cells could be detected in the glomerulus (0.05 +/- 0.03/gcs). A second administration of LPS 4 weeks after injection of the vehicle cells was also able to promote accumulation in the glomerulus. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the kinetics of the vehicle cell recruitment into the glomerulus corresponded to the level of ICAM-1 expression. On the assumption that the LPS-induced ICAM-1 expression may regulate the site and timing of the delivery of vehicle cells into the glomerulus, vehicle cells were transduced with human glucocerebrosidase (GC) gene, using an adenovirus vector, and reintroduced into the mice. The basal expression of GC gene in the isolated glomeruli of vehicle cell-treated mice rose by 1.7-fold compared with endogenous activity, whereas the GC activity was enhanced 3.2-fold by LPS treatment. Polymerase chain reaction designed to detect human GC-specific sequence revealed that isolated glomeruli of vehicle cell-treated mice contained exclusively the vehicle cell-oriented GC. This indicates that vehicle cells can be used to carry a certain gene to a specific inflamed site. Injection of vehicle cells, with or without LPS, had small effect on urinary protein excretion or serum creatinine levels. These findings suggest that our novel method allows site-specific gene delivery into inflamed glomeruli through interaction of adhesion molecules.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

A case of pulmonary reaction with skin eruption showing a positive peripheral lymphocyte stimulation test result for ethambutol.

We report a case of an elderly male whose pulmonary reaction with skin eruption occurred in the initial phase of chemotherapy composed of isoniazid, rifampicin, and ethambutol (EB). A peripheral lymphocyte stimulation test (LST) showed a positive reaction only to EB. The blood serum analysis of the patient when this reaction occurred revealed an elevated titer of antinuclear antibody. Computed tomography (CT) scan films of the chest when the pulmonary reaction occurred showed multifocal subpleural consolidations. There has been only one reported case of EB-induced pulmonary reaction and its clinical course was very similar to ours. However, LST results and computed tomography (CT) scan findings of the chest were not documented in that case.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Antibody to thrombin receptor inhibits neointimal smooth muscle cell accumulation without causing inhibition of platelet aggregation or altering hemostatic parameters after angioplasty in rat.

An antibody was raised in rabbits against SFFLRNPSEDTFEQF peptide, which is an NH2-terminal peptide of the thrombin-cleaved rat thrombin receptor. In vitro, the antibody inhibited rat smooth muscle cell proliferation but had no effect on rat platelet aggregation or clotting time. These data indicate that the antibody is a specific blocker of the thrombin receptor-signaling pathway in rat smooth muscle cells but does not work as a blocker in rat platelets, suggesting the existence of a second thrombin receptor in the platelets. Using an in vivo balloon catheter-induced injury model in rats, we examined the effect of the anti-rat thrombin receptor IgG on intimal smooth muscle cell accumulation 2 weeks after angioplasty. Analysis of the ratio of intimal to medial cross-sectional areas showed that injection of immune IgG resulted in 43.7% and 53.1% reduction (P<0.01) of neointimal smooth muscle cell accumulation compared with saline and nonimmune IgG treatment, respectively. Moreover, the injection of immune IgG caused a significant decrease of thrombin receptor mRNA expression and also 40.5% and 43.0% decreases (P<0.01) of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) index in the intima compared with the PCNA index after saline and nonimmune IgG treatment, respectively. The suppression of the PCNA index was also observed in the immune IgG-treated group at an early stage after angioplasty. These results suggest that thrombin receptor activation is involved in the proliferation and accumulation of neointimal smooth muscle cells induced by balloon injury.

Angioplasty↗
PubMed1998

High-performance EUV/soft X-ray ellipsometry system using multilayer mirrors.

A high-performance EUV/soft X-ray ellipsometry system using multilayer mirrors has been developed. A couple of multilayer mirrors were used for the polarizer, and two multilayer mirrors were used for the rotating analyser. The multilayer mirrors were optimized to obtain a medium extinction of about 2000. An extinction ratio of the polarizer up to 10(4) can be achieved by using two multilayer mirrors, and the calculated reflectivity was more than 35%. The calculated error of the optical elements reveals that the error of the polarizer and misalignment optical parts is mainly of the first order, and that of the analyser is of the second order.

Journal Article↗