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Biomedical subjects

T Kawamura

Publications and source records attributed to T Kawamura.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

The reduction and redistribution of plantar pressures using foot orthoses in diabetic patients.

High pressures on the soles of the feet of diabetic patients cause plantar ulcerations, and reduction of this pressure is important in the treatment and prevention of such ulcers. The effects of foot orthoses on the distribution of plantar pressures were investigated using a pressure-sensitive insole containing 960 sensor elements in seven diabetic patients (13 feet) with diabetic ulcers or past histories of diabetic ulcers. Plantar pressures at the foot-insole interface and their distribution were measured in a stable standing position wearing the patients' own shoes, with and without foot orthoses. The preorthotic peak pressure was 130.6 +/- 41.9 kPA (mean +/- S.D.), while the postorthotic peak pressure was reduced to 52.6 +/- 17.9 kPa (P < 0.001 vs. preorthotic). The mean reduction of pressure was 56.3%. The preorthotic contact area was 330.2 +/- 48.4 pressure-sensitive elements and the postorthotic contact area was increased to 517.2 +/- 105.5 elements (P < 0.001), with a mean increase of 62.7%. The marked reduction in plantar pressures at the foot-insole interface by pressure redistribution indicates that this new pressure measurement system is very useful for the design of such orthoses.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Development of nephrotic syndrome in a patient with acute myeloblastic leukemia after treatment with macrophage-colony-stimulating factor.

We describe a patient with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) who developed nephrotic syndrome after receiving several courses of chemotherapy, including macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). At the onset of nephrotic syndrome, the patient remained in a hematological remission. A renal biopsy showed diffuse mesangial proliferation with marked glomerular infiltration of macrophages and massive subendothelial and mesangial deposits. After the institution of the combined therapy with corticosteroid, anticoagulant, and dipyridamole, urinary protein excretion was attenuated to less than 1.0 g/day. It should be emphasized that the recurrence of nephrotic syndrome was observed after the following chemotherapy, including M-CSF, whereas the bone marrow still remained completely remitted. In contrast, after the last course of chemotherapy, which did not include M-CSF, urinary protein excretion was not enhanced. Of note is that the renal histology at autopsy showed a remarkable improvement of mesangial hypercellularity with concomitant reduction in the number of glomerular macrophages. These evolutional changes in both proteinuria and glomerular histology suggest a close linkage between the M-CSF treatment and macrophage-related glomerular injury. The possibility can be raised that M-CSF accelerated the underlying renal disease in this case through enhancing macrophage accumulation into the glomerulus, leading to the development of nephrotic syndrome.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1996

Enhanced production of glomerular extracellular matrix in a new mouse strain of high serum IgA ddY mice.

To investigate the relationship between high serum levels of IgA and glomerular lesions, selective mating was performed in high serum IgA ddY mice, a murine model of spontaneously developing mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis mimicking human IgA nephropathy. The selection and mating of high IgA ddY mice were accomplished when the mice were three to four months old. In the 12th generation of high IgA ddY (HIGA) mice, significantly higher levels of serum IgA from 10 age weeks to 60 weeks (P < 0.0002 to 0.0001) were observed in comparison with BALB/c mice. Relatively high proteinuria was observed at 40 weeks of age, although hematuria was consistently negative. Microscopic observations of renal tissue disclosed a marked glomerular mesangial matrix increase and a reduction of cell proliferation with age by both semiquantitative and morphometric analyses with moderate tubulointerstitial damage. These mesangial matrices were stained markedly by antisera for collagen type IV and by fibronectin, but not by collagen type I. Localization of TGF-beta protein was also detected in the mesangium of the HIGA mice. The positive mesangial IgA deposition was maintained consistently by this mating procedure and became more marked with age. Size analysis of IgA from ten pooled HIGA mice aged 50 to 60 weeks revealed dominant polymeric IgA in sera and dimeric IgA in glomerular eluates. Clonal analysis of serum IgA disclosed heterogeneous spectrotypes in a wide pH range (4.5 to 6.5), in contrast to very limited spectrotypes in the acidic pH range (4.5 to 5.2) of IgA in the glomerular eluates from these mice. The analyses of retroviral gp70 antigen involvement in the HIGA mice disclosed a significant increase of serum levels of gp70 anti-gp70 immune complexes with age, with no relationship to the severity of glomerular gp70 deposition. Northern blot analysis of renal tissue revealed markedly high mRNA expression of collagen type I, IV, fibronectin and TGF-beta even in 10-week-old HIGA mice in comparison with BALB/c mice. The expression became more significant in 60-week-old animals. The genetic background required to induce the expansion of IgA-producing B-cell clones is suggested to be closely related to the increased gene expression of TGF-beta, which induces enhanced glomerular extracellular matrix (especially fibronectin) accumulation in HIGA mice, being possibly mediated by the mesangial deposition of dimeric and highly acidic IgA. This newly established strain may provide a model for investigating the relationship between progressive glomerular sclerotic lesions and the induction of pathogenic IgA in human IgA nephropathy.

Aging↗
PubMed1996

Macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) enhances proteinuria and recruitment of macrophages into the glomerulus in experimental murine nephritis.

In this study, we examined the effects of macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) on glomerular macrophages in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine nephritis. Mice injected intraperitoneally with either M-CSF plus LPS, LPS alone, M-CSF alone or saline every day for 8 days were examined for the degree of urine albumin excretion and lymphocyte-function associated antigen-1-positive (LFA-1+) cells in peripheral blood as well as renal pathology. From our results, LPS or M-CSF combined with LPS emphasized the degree of proteinuria, glomerular deposition of immunoglobulins and mesangial proliferation, associated with accumulation of macrophages in the glomeruli. However, in immunohistological examination of kidneys from these nephritic mice, neither intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), which may play an important role in the recruitment of macrophages into glomeruli, M-CSF receptor nor the number of LFA-1+ cells in peripheral blood was enhanced by M-CSF. On the other hand, M-CSF alone induced neither proteinuria nor any pathological changes and did not increase the number of glomerular Mac-1+ cells above that in saline-treated controls. These results indicate that M-CSF does not directly cause glomerulonephritis but might participate in accelerating the glomerular inflammatory process by stimulating a potent chemoattractant to recruit monocytes-macrophages into the glomeruli.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Cytotoxic activity against tumour cells mediated by intermediate TCR cells in the liver and spleen.

Morphological and phenotypic characterization in previous studies has indicated that intermediate (int) T-cell receptor (TCR) cells or T natural killer (TNK) cells may stand at an intermediate position between NK cells and high TCR cells of thymic origin in phylogenetic development. In this study, a functional study on cytotoxic activity against various tumour targets was performed in each purified subset. When a negative selection method entailing in vivo injection of anti-asialo GM, antibody or anti-interleukin (IL)-2R beta monoclonal antibody (mAb) was applied, IL-2R beta 1 CD3 NK cells were found to have the highest NK activity while IL-2R beta 1 int CD3 (or TCR) cells had a lower level of the NK activity. High CD3 cells (freshly isolated) did not have any such activity. Sorting experiments further revealed that the NK function mediated by int CD3 cells was augmented when they were exposed to anti-CD3 mAb. anti-TCR alpha beta, or anti-TCR-delta mAb. This phenomenon was not observed in NK cells and high CD3 cells. More importantly, when anti-CD3 mAb (or anti-TCR mAb) was added to the assay culture, int CD3 cells became cytotoxic against even NK-resistant tumour (Fc gamma R-. Fas+) targets. Liver mononuclear cells or int CD3 cells exposed to anti-CD3 mAb for 6 hr showed an elevated level of perforin in their cytoplasms. The present results suggest that int CD3 cells are usually non-cytotoxic against various tumours but become functional after being stimulated via the TCR CD3 complex.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

ATP-induced calcium mobilization in glomerular mesangial cells is mediated by P2U purinoceptor.

To identify the functional P2 purinoceptor subtype in glomerular mesangial cells (GMC), polymerase chain reaction coupled with reverse transcription (RT-PCR) were performed, and cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was determined. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the molecular identity of P2 purinoceptor localized to GMC was both P2U and P2Y. The rank order of potency in stimulating [Ca2+]i was ATP [symbol: see text] UTP > 2-methylthio-ATP > ADP [symbol: see text] adenosine [symbol: see text] AMP. In addition, cross-desensitization between ATP and UTP occurred. In conclusion, ATP induces increase in [Ca2+]i via P2U purinoceptor in GMC.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1996

Disaccharide analysis of chondroitin sulfate in peri-implant sulcus fluid from dental implants.

We collected peri-implant sulcus fluid by capillary tubes from sites around titanium osseointegrated implants and determined the chondroitin sulfate released into the peri-implant sulcus fluid by high-performance liquid chromatography. Chondroitin sulfate was found in all peri-implant sulcus fluid samples, and its content was similar to that in gingival crevicular fluid obtained around natural teeth. The predominant unsaturated disaccharide isomer was delta Di-0S, followed by delta Di-4S. Delta Di-6S was present in trace amounts. The amount of delta Di-0S was greater in peri-implant sulcus fluid than in gingival crevicular fluid. Assaying chondroitin sulfate disaccharides in peri-implant sulcus fluid may be an effective method of monitoring the peri-implant condition of dental implants.

Chondroitin Sulfates↗
PubMed1996

[Anti-toxoplasma antibody levels in the main-land raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides viverrinus, in southeastern Kanagawa prefecture].

Naturally-occurring toxoplasma infection has been observed for years in various kinds of wild animals. However, the infection situation has not been well characterized due to a lack of research. In present study, latex fixation tests were conducted for 109 main-land raccoon dogs (67 males and 42 females) all of which were kept in Kanazawa Zoo in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture between 1991-1994 to measure levels of toxoplasma antibodies. The test results indicated 20 positive samples out of the total 109, an 18.3% positive rate. This demonstrates that toxoplasma infection exists in the raccoon dog population in Kanagawa Prefecture, and that the raccoon dog could be a source of spread of toxoplasma infection. We believe there is significant reason to continue the investigation as a part of a prophylaxis for zoonotic diseases.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[A case of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis accompanied with Aspergillus meningitis].

A 53-year-old female was admitted to our hospital complaining of chest pain and gait disturbance. Examinations on admission showed that she was immunocompetent except the negative tuberculin test. The chest X-ray showed infiltrative shadows with old tuberculous lesions in the bilateral upper lung fields. In CT, a mass lesion was revealed in the lesion, which destructed the fifth thoracic vertebra and invaded into the epidural space. She died of meningitis on the 18th day after admission. On autopsy, it was made clear that the mass lesion was caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, and that the meningitis was the result of the invasion of the fungus into the epidural space.

Aspergillosis↗
PubMed1996

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in cord blood: effects of labor and fetal distress.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of labor pains or fetal distress on concentrations of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) in cord blood. METHODS: Umbilical cord interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and IL-1ra were measured in 24 normal appropriately grown newborns delivered vaginally (VD group), 10 normal appropriately grown newborns delivered by elective cesarean section (ECS group), and 5 appropriately grown newborns with fetal distress (FD group). Umbilical cord arterial blood pH and PO2 were also measured. RESULTS: Umbilical artery blood pH and PO2 in the VD group were not significantly different from those in the ECS group. Umbilical artery blood pH and PO2 in the FD group were significantly lower than those in the VD group (p < 0.05). Umbilical artery blood pH in the FD group was significantly lower than that in the ECS group (p < 0.05), but no significant difference for umbilical artery blood PO2 was found between the FD and ECS groups. IL-1 beta levels were undetectable in the three groups of neonates. There were no significant differences for concentrations of IL-1ra in cord blood among the groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the labor pain or fetal distress does not affect concentrations of IL-1ra in cord blood.

Female↗
PubMed1996

Cord blood cytokines and soluble adhesion molecules in vaginal and cesarean delivered neonates.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the effect of labor pain on the concentrations of cytokines and soluble adhesion molecules in cord blood. METHODS: Umbilical cord interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), granulocyte elastase (GEL), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and endothelial lymphocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) were measured in 21 normal appropriately grown newborns delivered vaginally (VD group), and 20 normal appropriately grown newborns delivered by elective cesarean section (ECS group). Umbilical cord arterial blood pH and PO2 were also measured. RESULTS: Umbilical artery blood pH and PO2 in the VD group were not significantly different from those in the ECS group. There were no significant differences for concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, GEL, ICAM-1, and ELAM-1 in cord blood between VD and ECS groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggests that labor pains do not affect the concentrations of cytokines and soluble adhesion molecules in cord blood.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and granulocyte elastase in newborns with fetal distress.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate the participation of cytokines and neutrophils in fetal distress. STUDY DESIGN: Umbilical cord serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and plasma granulocyte elastase (GEL) were measured in 30 normally grown newborns without fetal distress (Group A), 10 growth-retarded newborns without acute fetal distress (Group B), 5 normally grown newborns with fetal distress (Group C), and 5 growth-retarded newborns with fetal distress (Group D). Umbilical arterial blood pH and PO2 were also measured. RESULTS: Umbilical arterial blood pH and PO2 in either Group C or Group D were significantly lower than those in either Group A or Group B. The concentration of IL-6 in Group D was significantly higher than that in either Group A, B, or C. The level of IL-8 in either Group C or Group D was significantly higher than that in either Group A or Group B. The concentrations of GEL in Group D was significantly higher than that in either Group A or Group B. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that fetal distress in utero causes an elevation of immune factors such as IL-6, IL-8 and GEL.

Acidosis↗
PubMed1996

[Three cases of adenomatoid tumor of the uterus].

Adenomatoid tumors arising in the uterus are not well-recognized and sometimes mistaken for other benign or malignant neoplasms. This study describes three cases of uterine adenomatoid tumors with clinical, light microscopic, histochemical and electron microscopical studies. Four distinctive histologic patterns (solid, adenoid, angiomatoid, cystic) were identified. Acid mucopolysaccharide was present in three cases and was digested by hyaluronidase. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were positive for cytokeratin and vimentin. Electron microscopy revealed microvilli, intermediate filaments and dilated intercellular spaces. This gives further support to a mesothelial origin of the adenomatoid tumor. Interestingly, one case showed that the adenomatoid tumor was multiple and one nodule was connected with leiomyomatous nodule. In the other case, the tumor was large 5 x 4 x 4.5 cm). These features were unusual.

Adenomatoid Tumor↗
PubMed1996

Mineral metabolism in plasma, urine and bone of periparturient cows fed anionic diets with different calcium and phosphorous contents.

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the influences of Ca and P contents in an anionic diet on the mineral metabolism in plasma, urine and bone in periparturient diary cows. Fifteen multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows were divided into 3 dietary groups (5 cows/group) by dietary Ca and P contents and dietary cation-anion balance [(Na + K) - (Cl + S) mEq/kg DM]; diet 1 [low Ca (0.46%), low P (0.24%), cationic (+195.8 mEq/kg DM)]; diet 2 [low Ca (0.46%), low P (0.24%), anionic (-32.4 mEq/kg DM)]; and diet 3 [high Ca (0.93%), high P (0.60%), anionic (-41.0 mEq/kg DM)]. Cows were fed one of these 3 diets from approximately 4 weeks before the expected calving date to 5 days after calving. There was no outbreak of milk fever in any cows fed these 3 diets; however, plasma Ca levels at 1 and 2 days after calving tended to be higher in the cows fed diet 3 than those in the cows fed diets 1 or 2. Fractional urinary excretion of Ca in the cows fed diet 2 or 3 was higher than that in the cows fed diet 1. Fractional urinary excretion and plasma level of Pi were higher during the periparturient period in the cows fed diet 3 than those in the cows fed diets 1 or 2. There were no significant differences in plasma parathyroid hormone levels among the 3 groups. In the spongy substance of ilium at 5 days after calving, the Ca and Mg contents bone volume and trabecular thickness were the lowest, but not significant, in the cows fed diet 2. These data suggest that sufficient Ca and P contents in an anionic diet may be effective in maintaining plasma Ca and Pi levels of periparturient cows and further in preventing of potential bone damage brought about by increased urinary mineral excretion following the feeding of an anionic diet.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1996

47 XXY/46 XY mosaic Klinefelter's syndrome presenting with multiple endocrine abnormalities.

We report here a rare case of 47 XXY/46 XY mosaic Klinefelter's syndrome associated with multiple endocrine disorders. A 35-year-old male admitted for the evaluation of renal dysfunction and recurrent bone fractures was diagnosed as having Klinefelter's syndrome by endocrinological examinations and sex chromosome analysis. He has suffered from diabetes mellitus for more than ten years. The serum FSH and LH levels were high together with low free testosterone and estradiol levels. There was a discrepancy between basal serum GH and somatomedin-C levels. On admission, thyroid function revealed thyrotoxicosis with low radioactive iodine uptake and negative thyroid autoantibodies. During hospitalization, serum FT3 and FT4 levels were gradually decreased and serum TSH levels became elevated, leading to the diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis. Serum ACTH levels showed high basal levels with delayed, exaggerated responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia. Rapid ACTH test (1-24ACTH 0.25 mg) showed low cortisol responses and many of the adrenocortical steroids in plasma and urine were low or low normal. Furthermore, bone mineral density (BMD) by DEXA showed marked osteoporosis. Possible mechanisms underlying these varied endocrine disorders remain to be elucidated.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Epidemiology of diseases of unknown etiology, specified as "intractable diseases".

In Japan, epidemiological studies on intractable diseases have been undertaken and greatly promoted for more than 20 years by the Research Committee on Epidemiology of Intractable Diseases, with the financial supports from the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan. In this paper, chronological history of development of the Research Committee and some scientific accomplishments by the recent Research Committee (1993-1995) were summarized, mainly focusing on descriptive, analytical and other epidemiological studies. Hoped is that the readers are to be acquainted with the recent research activities by the Research Committee and seek for possible international collaborations in epidemiological studies on intractable diseases.

Epidemiologic Methods↗
PubMed1996

[Intermittent hydronephrosis. A clinical study in 23 pediatric patients].

BACKGROUND: It is difficult to diagnose intermittent hydronephrosis and to decide the indication of surgical intervention. We investigated 23 cases of intermittent hydronephrosis. METHODS: From 1978 to 1995, a total of 23 patients were diagnosed as intermittent hydronephrosis in our institution. We inspected their clinical features and treatment which had been performed to them. RESULTS: Our study comprised 21 boys and 2 girls, whose mean age was 6 year old. Their chief complaint was intermittent flank pain (left: 21, right: 1, bilateral: 1) accompanied with gross hematuria (30%) and vomiting (39%). When they were asymptomatic, an excretory urogram revealed only mild pelvic dilatation without calyceal distension and kinking of ureteropelvic junction. Split renal function study by RI showed no difference between the affected side and the normal side except one case. When pelvic or calyceal enlargement was confirmed on ultrasonography while they were symptomatic, surgery was indicated. Surgery was performed in 17 cases (74%) including dismembered pyeloplasty in 14 cases, resection of aberrant vessel in 1, relocation of lower pole renal vessel in 1 and nephrectomy in 1. In surgical and histological view points, intrinsic stenosis was seen in 10 cases, extrinsic obstruction caused by aberrant vessels was seen in 4 and ureteral polyp was seen in 3 (bilateral polyp in 1 case). CONCLUSION: They had no more symptoms after operation. Of 23 among followed up cases without surgery, we experienced 2 cases unexpectedly advancing irreversible hydronephrotic change after the last attack, 1 case of gradually progressing hydronephrotic change and 1 case of severe renal dysfunction after many attacks. Therefore intermittent hydronephrosis should be followed up carefully.

Child↗